New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-19
DEMOCRACY WILL MARK MIKADOS ENVIRONMENT

The Emperor ascends the seven steps
before the little building and seats
himself. Then when all are seated, he
rises, worships his ancestors, turning
70 the sacred mirror and announces 70
the ghostly prescnces unseen of all MS
coming 70 the throne. Now rises the
Kagura song. an ancient melody; the
imperial procession departs, the offer
ings are taken away. the treasures re-
moved. the doors Of the building closed.
Three boomings of the bell, long beat
upon the snare drum and the first or
morning ceremony is over.
Time for rest and refreshment in
tervenes, and then the preparations
for the afternoon ceremony get under
way.
once upon a time the enforcement
ceremony took place SUCCESSFULLY in
three different temples. Now this soli-
tary impressive rite at the Shlsnlnden
in this imperial compound sunlces Tor
all
THE PAvlLIONS FOR THE RULERS.
High on the platform of this temple
are reared two beautiful little octagon
ravilions on platforms of their OWE.
One for the Emperor, one for the En-
press. The Emperor's is called the
Takamikura imperial seat; that OF the
EMPRESS is the michoadai-the great
consort's chair. Over the roofs Of each
is A golden phoenix and at the eight cor
rers are mirrors, flowers and pendants
in gold and bronze and carven crystal.
At the centre within is a large round
mirror. Each little pavilion IS draped
within with rich scarlet silk and hung
with silken curtains that are drawn
closed awaiting the great moment to
come The floor of each platform -
covered with a silken carpet, save
where the Emperor is 10 tread, and
there stretches line of plain straw
mating reminiscent of the palmer days
Of the remote past. In each pavlIion
is carven ebony chair inlaid with
mother Of pearl. On either side Is
small table. destined In the case OF the
Emperor for the treasures OF the
Sword and the Jewel. As we know al
ready, the m.choadai Of the Empires
will be occupied by that gracious lazy
only in spirit.
Around the Shishinden are ranged
the seats for the 1000 princes, ofhcials'
mobiles, representatives, foreign amoas
sailors, guests and witnesses or the
ceremony. Before the Shishinden are
stationed a multitude of flag and ban,
ner bearers whose flowing, colortul
waves of silk give that stir TO the
blood through the eye that the sound
of a trumpet does 10 the ear. Among
them are the imperial chrysanthemum
flag, the flag of the Rising Sun and the
iovous Banzai flag. Three sounding
strokes upon the bell, a roll OF the
snare drum, and the doors open wide.
THE SETTING FOR THE CEREMONY
First come the special enforcement
commissioners in full panoply, VINO
form a guard of honor about the Taxa
mikura. Three more beats upon the
he'll and all arise while enter the mas,
ters of ceremonies, the Premier ano
Cabinet. the imperial household ON
Gals. Then enter the Crown Prince
and other members of the Imperial
family. who take seats below the TAXA
mikura. the others ranging OUTSIDE
/ When all the setting, human, decora
tive. significant of the empire and IT.
neople and its standing in the nations
Of the world is in place, the master o
ceremonies, gorgeously arrayed, aa
/ vances and gives the signal for tn'
Great Sokui rite, the actual cuimina
tion Of the gathering, the moment tna'
will he signalled to the nation on the
wings of electricity bringing a faster