Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-06
EMPEROR OF JAPAN
LEAVES FOR CORONATION

EMPEROR OF JAPAN
LEAVES FOR CORONATION
Prior to the departure Of the fmper-
ial cortege a solemn religious ceremony
tuary in the palace.
imperial Sanctuary
At the appointed time III the early
morning the hall wherein is enshrined
the imperial sanctuary was decorated
by court ritualists in a manner appro-
pirate to the occasion. This being
finished, His Imperial Highness Prince
Higashi Fushimi, chief commissioner.
and other members of the coronation
board, all in ceremonious japanese
dress, took their seats
The doors of the sanctuary were
opened amid Shinto music. and after
offerings were made before the altar
Prince Iwakura, the chief ritualist,
read a religious address or prayer an
nouncing to the spirit-soul of the I'M
I.erial grand ancestress, Amaterasu
suspicious coronation ceremonial and
the transfer of the imperial sanctuary
and the court to kioto for the celebra
ton Of the same. Then a chamberlain
and a maid Of honor, both in ancient
court robe and respectively represent
ing the Emperor and Empress, pro-
ceeded before the presence of the holy
of holes and mode obeisance on be-
half of their majesties.
Sacred Treasure
The ceremony having closed with
solemn chords of music, the holy of
holes which is the sacred mirror, was
slowly borne outside the palace TO be
taken TO kioto. together with the sa-
cred sword and gem. The sacred
treasures, which are the emblem of
the throne, being held in the deepest
generation and respect. their depart
ure from the capital was celebrated in
d most august and dignified manner.
The ''kashikodokoro' was trans
ferred in this way: AH ancient palan-
Quin, which is called the Feathery
Wheels Of Heaven, was brought to the
tuary and the sacred mirror was
placed therein. Then the palanquin
was slowly borne to the station on
the shoulders OF villagers from a sub
Urb of Kioto-a village to which this
honor has fallen from time immemor-
ial They wore the ancient kimono
costume Of the sanctuary guards.
AS the royal cortege left the palace
the thunder of salutins guns from
tudes of the metropolis, and that was
the signal for silent prayer for the
joyous departure of the Emperor for
his beatific accession and this safe re-
turn to the capital. For all to witness
the royal departure was physically
impossible. Thousands had arrived
along the line Of progress last night
to await patiently throughout the long
hours. The great majority who were
unable to find places will be able to
witness the royal cortege when the
Emperor is officially greeted by the
city of Toxic.
The Emperor rode to the railway sta
ton in coach of regal magnificence
through lines Of picked troops from
the Household Guard.
The procession from palace to sta
ton moved slowly by a somewhat cir
cuitous route, SO that it might be
viewed by as many people and espe-
cially by as many school children as
possible. Extraordinary precautions
have been taken to insure safety of
The train conveying the Emperor
and court was due to arrive at Ma
goya this afternoon. The Emperor will
pass the night there at the palace and
proceed TO Kioto tomorrow.
AS one testimony of his thoughtful
ness and veneration of the aged among
his people. Emperor Yoshihito has in
ausurated his coronation ceremonies
by presenting 100000 wine cups to the
aged men throughout the Empire, the
minimum age for eligibility to the hon
or being fixed at so years.
The program of the coronation is
long and indicates that various rites
or ceremonies will be held up to the
last Gay OF the month. Two of the
three chief ceremonies will be held on
Wednesday, November 10, at the Kiotc
palace. The first will begin at 1(
o'clock in the morning, and is really
ain ancestor worship ceremony. The
Emperor announces his ascension to
| the throne before the ''Kashikodokoro'
or Divine Mirror, and informs the
spirits of his ancestral gods that he
has taken possession of the Three Sa-
cred Urea sures, which represent the
sovereignty and sanctity Of the i'm
perial mouse.
The second great ceremony will be-
gin at . o'clock in the afternoon of the
same day. Here the Emperor an.
nounces his ascension to his subjects
and to tire ENJOYS of foreign lands
At the same time he actually mounts
I on the throne which will be there pro-
vioed. A delegation. including Ambas-
sador George W. Guthrie and his wife
will he present at both these ceremon-
les. representing the United States
No special envoy will come from
America.
On Thursday, November II, sacred
music will be played before the "Kash.
ikorokcro" or imperial sanctuary, an6
on the following day imperial messen-
gers will be dispatched to the great
: