El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-11-11
To
Be SHOWN NARA
Coronation Guasts Taken
on Excursion to japanese
Places of Beauty.

Kioto. Nov 11--At the conclusion Of
the official coronation functions the
members OF the diplomatic corps viii
be the guests OF the courts on ex-
cursions TO the city of Nara. the home
of beautiful temples and TO the IA
nous Lake Hiwa which lies about Is
miles from Kioto.
Nara. 20 miles from both Kioto and
Osaka, was the capital OF the empire
between 7os and Isl A T. during the
period 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
Eight Beautiful Scenes.
Lake Biwa is in the province Of Omi,
near kiOto It is the largest lake in
the country. having circumference Of
about so miles The lake is noted for
the scenic beauty OF its environments
among which the most famous are
known as The Eight Beautiful
Scenes" These We're selected by prime
minister KOnoye- in 1900, following the
Chinese example Of lake Tungting- They
are the Evening Snow on Mount
Hira, a ''Flight Of Wild Geese at Ea-
tata," the Night Rain at Karasaki.'
the Deep Tone OF the Evening Bell
at Miidera." the Sunshine with a
Breeze at Awazu." the Evening Glow
at Seta." the Autumn Noon at Ishi-
yama~ and the Returning Boats at
Yabase-"
These are favorite themes Of Japa-
nese poetry 1t IS additionally relat-
ed that Lake Biwa was formed during
a night in 2S6 B. c. by the action Of an
earthquake, which at the same time
raised the sacred Mount Full on the
spot where il now stands Legend
aside. the two are considered to be
among the most beautiful places in
Japan
New swords for Coronation.
The swords used by the officials Of
the coronation commission during the
coronation rites are a special kind
named ''efu-no- tachi', worn by the
daimio and other retainers Of the Sho-
gun in the TOkuEawa period on the
occasion OF rendering congratulation
to the Shotgun 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 coronation com
mission. The officials who wear the
swords at cOronati functions number
$40. About 80 officials carry the blades
made by the noted swordsmiths OF
olden times These have been kept
in their households IS family treasures
Public prOcurator Gen. X Hiranuma
caused a swordsmith TO make a new
blade for his use HIS idea was thar
q blade newly made at the hand Of
swordsmith in the new era is pref
cradle to the old blades when the in
teution is that OF comuemorating the
new era OF the new sovereign
Sixteen swords TO be used 10y 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 sword {
smith and holds the post or art con-
noisseur in the household department 1
The sheath Of the swords for the en-
peror. the crown prince and princes of .
the blood is decorated with gold dust
and mother Of pearl lacqUered ground :
and mounted with the imperial crest I
the chrysanthemum flower. in purple
gold. the metal accessories being all OF
pure gold. The emperor when dressed ]
in the military uniform OF general +
lissfmo both of the army ana navy, I
7yil wear the swords, but fin other cases .
they viii be held by q chamberlain 4
and kept in g hrocade bag
All the swords retain the ancient ]
curve form OF the Daimio's blades
KfOto to BE Mecca
After the coronation ceremonies, the .
Shfshiiden. Shunkoden- Daijo shrines /
and other ceremonial halls as well as D
the gardens OF the Milo palace and the 4
coronation banquet halls viii be
thrown open 70 the inspection Of the
people The halls and decorations viii ]
be left rs they were ar the time Of the I
proceedings OF the coronation ceremo-
MES. In order to enable the public to
get a true idea Of the proceedings The
period Of public viewing viii last till +
the end of January next year kiOtO I
is therefore expected 10 become b
Mecca Of pilgrimage with = large in
nux ,of visitors from all parts Of the
country.