Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-10
JAPANESE CORONATION
IS ANCIENT CEREMONIAL
Emperor YOshihito VIII Formally
Take Place on Throne Some
Time During November.
AT NIPPON, ANCIENT CAprrAL
Quaint Ceremonies Mark Occasion,
There Being No Change Since Pres
ent Rulers First Earthly Ancestor
Was Crowned In 900 Is. G.


Was Crowned In 900 Is. G..
TOKYO, October e.-I.ucky indeed
will be those few tourists who are i'm
Kioto. the ancient capital Of Nippon,
next month, when tho Emperor Yoshi-
Into is crowned. For they will view
what Is probably the most ancient cere-
monial in the world. The modern
ruler. with acceptance, Dreadnoughts
and submarines ut his command. will
formally take his place on the throne
ot Japan in the same manner az did
his first earthly ancestor. Jimmu Tenno.
In ESQ b. c., which was several CEN
turtles before Alexander the Great, un-
whiting of the island Kingdom. wept
for more worlds TO conquer.
For the Western mind to comprehend
The JapaneHe coronation Is difficult.
The word Coronation" Is a misnomer.
as there is no literal browning.
1t is necessary for the American TO
attempt 10 grasp the Fundamental idea
of Shintoism Every morning the head
of a Japanese family worships TO his
ancestors at the shrine in his home.
The Emperor worships ut the shrine of
the ancestors. of the nation for the
Who'll. people
The spirits of Jimmu Tenno and the
other 100 human ancestors OF Yoshihito
who have reiEned in Japan are sup
posed to dwell In the Sanctuaries OF
the ancient palace at kioto.
The coronation lis the formal journey
Of tn. Emperor and Empress to .Kioto
for the purpose OF dutifully informing
his ancestors OF his accession. and az
surfing them that he Is carrying out
the fundamental principles which have
made the nation great
Japanese sees nothing odd in
worshiping his ancestors. while clad
in Prince Albert coat and silk topper,
and II Is considered perfectly correct
for the Emperor 10 proceed TO his
ancient capital by train.
Arriving at Kioto, he Will drive In
stntc TO the vast enclosure OF the
rnlacc. HIS coming may be several
days before the coronation date, No
vcmbcr 10.
The details of this day are carefully
regulated by the Shinto priests, who
preserve the ancient records supposed
to 20 t2ok TO the reign OF Jimmu
8enno. In the morning Yoshihito Will
bath" and purify himself. Then he
VIII enter Il plain wooden pavilion or
temple, made entirely without metal
tough vines.
CEREM0Ni TAKES PLACE
BEFORE NATIONAL SHRINE
The ceremony takes place before the
national shrine called the kashilii-
pokoro. which contains the sacred
mirror. sword and Jeweled seal be-
Iuea,hed BY the sun goddess Anna :
'ernSus o-Mihami to her grandson
Iimmu Tonne. the first non-dei,y 10
rule Japan, when she placed him upon
;hc throne
In strict privacy. with only few
Sh!nto priests In their straw sandals
moving about. the Emperor viii read
formal address 10 his family spirits.
The next ceremony will take place
in n big new pavilion In the presence
OF leading men OF Japan and the off :
ciai representatives. OF foreign states.
The Emperor will take his seat on
a throne set within AN octngonHl pa :
v!lion OF rcd and black lacquer. while
he Empress, II ill-hcal,h. docs not
prevent Viii occupy smaller throne
by his side.
The princes ana great officers OF state
viii surround the throne. the nobility
Will occupy ono end OF the hall and the
foreign diplomats another.
Count Okuma. the Prime Minister
Will stand at a designated spot near
the throne and call one the japanese
people to give three "bnnzais" for the
Emperor. Then he VIII ascend the
steep steps OF the throne and render
homage to thr new monarch.
Count Okuma has a wooden leg, and
some Of his political opponents have
raised the cry that by all the ancient
rules and regulations no such deformed
person may take part In the coronation
Modern Japan simply laughs.
1t might be mentioned, however, that
the practical count recently proceeded
10 kioto and convinced himself by
actual trial that he is spry enough to
get up the old fashioned steps OF the
throne and down again without spill
ing the beans" or whatever is the
Japanese equivalent.
In the evening will take place the
principal religious rite The Emperor
VIII offer rice and black and whit
wine to the spirits of his ancestors In
the Yukidcn and the Sukiden. two
small, ancient shrines.
HIGHEST CEREMONY
IN JAPANESE RELIGION
The ceremony takes all night. and
before IL the Empei or again undergoes
formal publication. This Kaijo- SAL or
sacrifice rite, is the highest ceremony
in the japanese religion The Jnpa-
nese, however, do not feel any awe
as surrounding Kaijo- sat. it is simply
an act OF iiial communng with the
departed, a sort of Shanksviving dinner
with tho dead as we'll as the living
gathered together.
There are many other Interesting
ceremonies and observances connect
ed with the coronation, and these last
many days. Western vaudeville stages
Will probably see this winter some
gross Caricaturcs OF the sacred dance
which Will be performed by five young
women Of the highest rank Mt great
banquet before $500 diners. This IS
the "fve-fold Dance and the story of
how II originated is known to every
Japanese boy and girl.
The Emperor Temnu was strurnmine
the koto, an ancient Tyre with five
strings. when five heavenly muses. ap-
peared In the clouds and executed some