Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-11-11
EMPEROR TAKES
PART in ANTIQUE
KAGURA' RITUAL
CONTINUED from Page u

under the guidance OF the coronation
officials and took the seats assigned
to them.
The doors OF the imperial sanctuary
were thrown open by the officiating
officials to the strains Of the kagura
music. Next the officials presented
the sacred rice and other offerings to
the sanctuary, these being placed on
the altar. The soft strains OF the ka-
gura music were heard continually.
Then the chief ritualist, attired In full
religious costume, proceeded before
the sanctuary and read a Sninto
prayer
Presently the imperial train entered
the hall, the Emperor being preceded
by the grand master of ceremonies and
the household minister. After the En-
peror came two chamberlains. one
holding the sacred sword and the 9TH
er the imperial privy seal. They were
followed by the lord chamberlain,
other chamberlains, the chief aide-de
camp and aides-de-camp. Behind the.
imperial retinue walked the Crown
Prince, princes of the blood and other
members of the imperial family and
the lord keeper Of the priyy seal, the
chief of the coronation committee
bringing up the rear.
Scene Of Beauty and Color.
When the Emperor had taken his
seat on the imperial throne the cham
berlains who held the sacred sword
and the imperial seal placed them on
the tables near by. The scene was
one OF great beauty and color, with
the dominating note solemnity.
The ceremony proper was then be
gun. II was concluded In short
space OF time. The Emperor rose
from his seat, and, while court ritual
lists were ringing the sacred bells,
made respectful bow to the sanctu-
airy. The same formalities were OBJ
served by the Crown Prince. princes
and Processes of the blood and other
members OF the imperial family.
The court musicians then resumed
the kagura music and the Emperor
and memers OF the imperial house re-
tired In the same order observed ct
their entry. At the close Of the cere-
mony all participants either offered
worship or showed their respect be-
fore the sanctuary. The offerings
placed on the altar were removed and
taken away BY the officials to the
strains OF the kagura. and the door OF
the. sanctuary was closed
From Dfmmest Ages.
The kagura music Is an important
Shinto air Of very old origin, having
been handed down from the dfmmest
ages. When Amaterasu 0mikami. the
great imperial ancestress, concealed
herself in cave, being angry with the
lawless conduct Of her brother, SUI
sano Mfhoto, her subjects contrived .
means to sooth the wrath Of their mis-
tress. After consulting they hit upon.
q plan to play music.
A goddess attending the sun god
dess, named Amanoo- Uzume, put on
wig made of the bark of the Judas
tree and, girding up the sleeves Of
her dress with a cord made of vine.
danced before the cave wherein the
Sun Goddess was resting. There was
an accompaniment of song and hal
bard with bells attached. The gods
and goddesses made huge bonfire, as
1t was pitch dark outside the cave, and
made merry at the dance Of the god
dess Amano-U zume. The Sun God
dess, whose feminine curiosity was
aroused by the swelling music and
dancing, opened the door of the cave
to look upon the scene.
SANG Song Of Welcome.
+ So pleased was she at the merry en-
tertainment that her wrath was dis
PEELED and she came out Of her con-
ceaiment. Her subjects. gods and
goddesses, were oyerjoyed at the re-
appearance of their Sun Goddess and
sang song of welcome. This was
the origin Of the kagura dance. In
the reign Of the first Emperor Jimmu
the kagura dance was established as
an important function at the court
In the reign Of Emperor Seiwa, $50
A. d.. the kagura dance was used for
the first time in the celebration Of the
Daijosai or grand thanksgiving fest.
val as q part OF the accession cere-
mony. The present airs used in the
kagura music were selected from |
among ancient songs by Emperor Ichi-
10, and number 3S. The principal in
struments used in the music are harps
and flutes. In playing the kagura mu-
sic the musicians take their seats in |
It,r uvro.,nc nra 20 4ho 49,.