Evening star., 1915-11-16
Emperor Opens the Feast.

The emperor himself opened the feast
by addressing an edict voicing his sat-
isfaction and joy at the great cere-
monies of coronation and his happiness
in celebrating the historic occasion by
partaking of the banquet given in
honor of the great event. To the repre-
seEtatives of the foreign courts and
governments the emperor expressed his
wish for the happiness and peace of
their respective countries and the
closer friendly relationship between
their countries and Japan. Also he ex-
pressed his thanks for the courtesy and
kindness OF the sovereigns and rulers
Of friendly powers in naming repre-
sentatives to attend the coronation
ceremony and the grand harvest fes-
tiyal
The prime minister. Count Shigenobu
Okuma, on behalf OF the japanese sub
Jects present. responded TO the i'm
perial speech.
Senator Malewsky MaIevitch, the
Russian ambassador and doyen of the
diplomatic corps. on behalf OF the for
eign envoys and representatives re-
sponded 10 the imperial address
Subsequently the sacred white and
black sake wine were presented to the
emperor anu then to all the members
of the imperial family, dignitaries for
eign representatives and other guests
to be drunk as 4 toast to the imperial
house. while presents from the Yuki
and Suki districts were brought in by
court officials TO the garden OF the
hall and arrayed on the floor. Food
and other sake wine were then pre-
sented to the emperor by chamber
lain and distributed among the guests
BY the attendants
Dance More Than 20 Centuries Old.
The entertainment of old Japan was
started by the performance of the
twenty centuries old. This dance dates
back TO the beginning of the reign of
Emperor Jinlmu, founder and first head
Of the Japanese empire, who while
engaged in his primitive expedition
against the aboriginal natives in the
main island. caused a feast to be given
to his soldiers in the camp and per-
sonally composed d song to be sung to
encourage the rank and file. After the
feast hiss army routed the enemy in a
desperate engagement. History further
holds that at the time of the Daijo- Sal
ceremony, which was held in the first
year of Jokan. 1886 years ago, the
kume Was performed by twenty dancers
in the ancient court costume with
drawn sworls in their hands. They
We're accompanied only by the koto, and
song was sung.
At the Daijo-Sai ceremony in the first
year OF Bunsei ninety-seven years ago.
the ancient song was revived, but not
1or long. Tbirty-seven years ago the
song was again revived at the desire
of the late Emperor Mutsuhito. To-
might the dance was given by four
&ourt musicians who carried swords
and in old-time costumes danced TO the
music. of the drum. harp. flute and
fageolet.
While the long list OF dainties was
FURNISHED the guests. they were regaled
by the 'fuzoku' dance. given by eight
.courtiers wearing the farmers costume
of centuries ago. They were led to the
istage by the governors OF the prefectures
where the sacred rice fields are located
and they danced to the tunes Of the
ancient folklore songs Of the rice regions
"Gosechi" Dance for Climax.
The "gosechi," reserved for the china X
was followed with profound interest and
the noble performers were overwhelmed
with appiause. led by the emperor him.
self. The "gosechi'' dance Is supposed
TO date back about twelve centuries
The story goes that the emperor. Temmu
vas playing on q koto. an oidfashionet
musical instrument, one day when q
strange. .lQoking cloud made it, appear