The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
Several Thousand Enter tained In Sumptuous
 Style
BEAUTIFUL MAIDENS
 DANCE AT FEAST
Entrance of Newly Crowned Mikado Is Signal for Outhurst of "Ban- zais''--Imperial Family Cen
 tered in Center of Hall

Kioto, November 1s.--Five beautiful Japanese maidens, peeresses of tho realm. wearing rich and brilliant ki- mono. danced tonight an ancient dance of old Japan at great state feast Emperor yoshihito. The Emperor him self was there and several thousand people were gathered about the ban aet board as his personal guests. Prominent among the foreign guests. who included the members of the diplo- matte corps. was George W, Guthrie, the American ambassador. and Mrs. Guthrie.
 The pretty peeresses and their dance formed but one of several features calculated to impress this historic feast upon the memories of the guests. especially the foreign guests. Their dance Is known as the "gosechi." Other dances were the "kume" and "Fuzoku.'' ancient musical themes played in the court from the earliest ages on felici- tious occasions.
 Harvest Festival
 Tonight's feast. which was also in celebration of the grand harvest fes- tival held two days ago. was given in the Burakuden hall. situated on the ground of the Mic palace The partict- pants Included high officers, civil and military peers, members of the diet. other dignitaries, as we'll as the mem bers of the diplomatic corps and their wives in full evening dress, the offi- COTS of the army and navy appearing iT uniform. The guests were ushered to the hall through the five gates leading thereto.
 Burakuden hall newly erected for the court banquests, occupies a special enclosure of the NiJo. or the detached palace. The building was really n se- ries of halls arranged to provide for sgtha reception of gnests and the tn1- periaI family as we'll as for their soat- ing. The main hall was a spacious rectangular building, with floor of tiles and with veranda to the south approached by steps from the garden Around the interior of the hall ran a beautiful railing of red lacquer In the center, on an elevated platform. stood the throne of the Emperor. To the east and west were seats for the Empress who was not preesnt, and for the crown prince. On the thrones were chairs and red lacquered tables for the service of the feasts
 Antique Setting
 Everything suggested ancient Ja- pan. Behind the throne hung a cur tain of ancient tapestry with landscape painting; gold-leafed paper screen in- scribed with the characters of folklore song from the Yuki district stood in the northeastern corner of the hall another with a song of the Suki district decorated tho northwestern corner and curtain or rich figured cloth were suspended on the walls at intervals. To the north was a small annex hall or stage where the dances were given and where court mu- sicians played the 'kagura" music. Other halls led in other directions. They were for the seating of the guests, all of whom However could see the Emperor during the feast Each of the smaller rooms were hung with curtains of rare em- broidered damask and decorated with green screens of bamboo bordered with silk braid.
 When the guests were placed the Elm peror, previously announced by the master of ceremonies, entered the hall. accom- panied by his retinue. His appearance was the signal for an outburst of ap- plause and great chorus of "banzaisP The sacred sword and jewel, emblems Of soyereignty, were placed on table be- side the imperial dais, whilst the mem- bers of the imperial family ranged them selves in rows to the right and left of the throne.
 Walters in Dress Suits
 Hundreds of walters, wearing an espe- cially designed uniform of long full dress coats knee brooches of scarlet velvet,
 .,,l pnn elinnprS fitted back and forth, giving the last touch to the porcelain which had been especially imported from the United States and France. Gorgeous kimonos repre- senting the most exquisite embroidery art worn by Japanese women throughout the halls, were splashes of color which blend- ed with the rich background of tapestry. while the brilliant centre-scene where the mperial family was seated under the blaze of light. formed picture of fan tastic beauty.
 Emperor's Edict
 The Emperor himself opened the feast by addressing an edict voicing his satis- faction and joy at the great ceremonies of coronation and his happiness in ceie- brating the historic occasion by partaking of the banquet given in honor of the great event. To the representatives of the foreign courts and governments the Em- peror expressed his wish for the happi- ness and peace of their respective coun- tries and the closer friendly relationship between their countries and Japan. Also he expressed his thanks for the courtesy and kindness of the sovereigns and rulers Of friendly powers in naming representa- tives to attend the coronation ceremony end the grand harvest festival.
 The prime minister Count Shigenobu Ohuma on behalf of the Japanese sub jects present. responded to the imperial speech rendering their congra atulations on the happy and suspicious event of tho coronation and expressing their thanks for the honor to be invited to the grand banquet celebrating the felicitous national event In behalf of the people of Japan he called for "banxai' A
 Russian Ambassador Replies
 Senator Malewsky Malevitch. the Rus sian ambassador and dozen of the diplo- matte corps on behalf of the foreign en- voys and representatives, responded tc thr imperial address. He expressad thcif felicitations on the happy event cf tise coronation and their wi h for the pos perIty happiness and Tor &titS ot g- perial reign and also of tas tnns nsats. .kAs. crnwn prince and the m( ilii.yi qf f,sa itst-