The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-11-11
DIPLOMATIC CORPS in
JAPAN ENTERTAINED
win Visit City Of Nara, the Home Of
Beautiful Temples, and Famous
Lake Biwa After the
Coronation.

Kioto, Nov. ll.--At the conclusion Of
the official coronation functions the
members of the diplomatic corps will
be the guests Of the courts on excursions
to the city of Nara, the home of beauti-
full temples and to the famous Lake Biwa
which lies about fifteen miles from kio-
to.
Nara, 26 miles from both kioto and
Osaka, was the capital of the empire be-
tween 100 and 7sl A. d., during the Pc
Rod Of the reign Of the Nara dynasty.
The city abounds in places Of historic
fame and scenic beauty and is known
as Nara the Beautiful.
Lake Biwa is in the province Of Omi,
near Kioto. 1t Is the largest lake in the
country, having circumference of about
so miles. The lake is noted for 1.-THE scenic
beauty of its environments, among which
the most famous are known as The Eight
Beautiful Scenes. These were selected
by Prime Minister Konoye in 1000, toll
lowing the Chinese example Of lake
Tungting. They are the Evening Snow
on Mount Hira, Flight OF Wild Geese
ut Katata, the Night Rain at karasaki,
the Deep Tone Of the Evening Bell at
Milidera, the Sunshine with Breeze at
Awazu, the Evening Glow at Seta, the
Autumn Moon at Ishiyama and the
Returning Boats at labase.
These are the favorite themes OF Pap
anese poetry. 1t is additionally related
that Lake Biwa was formed during a
night in 2S6 b. G., by the action OF an
earthquake, which at the same time
raised the sacred Mount Fuji on the spot
where ii now stands. Legend aside, the
two considered to be among the most
beautiful places in Japan.
The swords used by the officials OF
the coronation commission during the
coronation rites are special kind named
sefu no tachi," worn by the daimio and
other retainers of the Shotgun in the
Tokugawa period on the occasion OF
rendering congratulation TO the sbogun
on New Years day or on his installation.
As this type of sword has become rare,
new swords were especially made by
the smiths to the order of the corona
ton commission. The officials who wear
the swords at coronation functions
number $40. About thirty officials carry
the blade made by the noted sword
smith of olden times. These have been
kept in their households as family treas
ures.
Public procurator, General X Hiranu-
ma. caused a swordsmith 70 make new
blade for his use. His idea was that
blade newly made at the hand OF
swordsmith in the new area Is prefera-
BILE to the old blades, when the intention
is that of commemorating the new area
Of the new sovereign.
Sixteen swords 10 be used by princes
Of the blood and six swords for the use
OF the emperor were newly made by
Sadakatsu Gassan. Of Osaka, who Is the
greatest contemporary swordsmith and
holds the post OF art connoisseur IN the
household department. The sheath OF
the swords for the emperor, the crown
prince and princes OF the blood l. deco
rated with gold dust and mother Of pearl
on lacquered ground and mounted with
the imperial crest. the chrysanthcmum
flower. in purple gold. the metal acces-
series being all 81 pure gold. The en-
pcror when dressed in the military uni
form Of generallissimo both Of the army
and navy will wear the swords but IN
other cases they will h. held by cham
berlain and kept in hrocade bag.
All the swords retain Tire ancient
curve form a the Daimio's blades.
After the coronation ceremonies, The
Shishiiden. Shunkoden. Daijo shrines
and ether ceremonial halls - wen -
the gardens Of the Niio palace and the
cnronation banquet halls viii he thforn
open % the Inspection Of the people. Ihe
halls and RESERVATIONS wfli ~ left ~
they were n The time # the T'rpoceed-
iues ~ the coronation ceremgnies. IN or
der % enable tie public to ga . truf
idea - ths proceedines. The reriod 81
pulaie riewine win last I'll ths end
81 January nerf year. kieto = there
fere expeufed o. heeone = Mecna - pli-
rrimset wifh q lsrrs InhuE Il Visitors
from an parts If ne cpuutry.