The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-12
Yuan Shi Kai Also COngrat- ulates New Monarch
 of Japan
COURT ASSEMBLIES
 IN SHUNKODEN HALL
The kagura Dance Celebrated After Picturesque Custom of Ancient Japan-Coronation Amnesty De-
 cree Commutes Rebels Sentence

Kioto, November 11.-Cordial messages of congratulation to Emr yoshihito have been received frot George of Great Britain, Emp q ,s holas of Russia, President PoiS France President Yuan shi G 2 China and others, while the ons sent by Japanese organiaap score of trunks. Gifts mad . Emperor are piled high in man $ E shgs.
 Posthumous ct honors have been granted by |. .peror to Mjdevo- shi, sometimes called the Napoleon of Japan, who became virtually monarch Of the country in 1882 although of low birth, and to Lord Motta Shuri Iwase, who negotiated the treaty with Commodore Perry, and Townsend Morris under which Japan was opened to foreigners in 1858
 Formosan rebels to the number of TIL which had been condemned to death. wit, have their sentences committed to life imprisonment under the coronation ann nesty decree.
 The kagura Dance
 Following the grand coronation cere- mony at the Shishiiden, the antique cere- mony of the "kagura" dance was cele- brated today at the Shunkoden hall in the presence of the whole court
 In the early hours the Shunkoden hall wherein reposes the imperial sanctuary, was decorated appropriately At the ap- pointed time the dgnitaries of state, high military and naval officers. and titled personages, and their wives, as- sembled at the waiting hall in the com pound of the imperial palace They wore the same dress as on the ceremony of the previous day.
 MikadO Makes Ready
 Not long after, the Grown Prince, the princes and princesses of the blood and other members of the imperial family entered the Giyoden, hall adjacent to the Shunkoden, A shor. interval and then the Emperor sloway made his way from the inner part of the palace at tended by his retinue. His Majesty donned his outer robes and washed his hands, as is usual when worshipping be- fore the Deity or holy presence. He then took the bamboo brush and the hinoki fan. which Were offered by the cham berlains. The members of the suite also changed their dress.
 During this time the senior coronation officials entered the place of ceremony and took their posts. Meanwhile. those who had assembled in the waiting hall were ushered to the hall under the guid- ance of the coronation officials and took the seats assigned to them
 The doors of the imperial sanctuary were thrown open by the officiating of ficials to the strains of the kagura music. Next the officials presented the sacred rice and other offerings to the sanctuary. these being placed on the altar. The soft strains of the kagura music were heard continually. Then the chief ritualist, at tired in full religious costume, proceeded before the sanctuary and read a Shinto prayer.
 Emperor Makes Entry
 Presently the imperial train entered the hall the Emperor being preceded by the grand master of ceremonies and the household minister. After the Emperor came two chamberlans, one holding the '"red sword and the other tiie imperia, privy seal. They were followed by the lord chamberlain, other chamberlains, the chief aide-de-camp and aides-de- camp. Behind the imperial retinue walked the Crown Prince, princes of the blood and other members of the imperial family and the lord keeper of the privy seal the chief of the coronation committee bringing up the rear
 When the Emperor had taken his seat on the imperial throne the cham berlains who held the sacred sword and the imperial seal placed them on the tables nearby. The scene was one of great beauty and color, with the dominating note sOlemnity
 The ceremony proper was then be- gun. It was concluded in short space of time. The Emperor rose from his seat, and. while court ritualists were ringing the sacred bells, made re- spectful bow to the sanctuary. The same formalities were observed by the crown prince, princes and princesses of the blood and other members of the imperial family.
 Worship at Sanctuary
 The court musicians then resumed the kagura music and the Emperor and members of the imperial house re- tired in the same order observed at their entry. At the close of the cere- mony all participants either offered worship or showed their respect before the sanctuary. The offerings placed on the altar were removed and taken away by the officials to the strains of
 
 tuary was closed.
 The kagura music is an important Shinto air of very old origin, having been handed down from the dimmest ages. When Amaterasu Omikami the great imperial ancestress. concealed herself in a cave, being angry with the lawless conduct of her brother Susano Mikoto her subjects contrived a means to sooth the wrath of their mistress. After consulting they hit upon a plan to play music. A goddess attending the sun goddess, named Amano- -Uzume. put on a wig made of the bark of the Judas tree and, gird- ing up the sleeves of her dress with a cord made of vine. danced before the cave wherein the sun goddess was resting.
 Ancient Tradition
 There was an accompaniment of song and a halbard with bells at tached The gods and goddesses made huge bonfire. as 1t was pitch dark outside the cave. and made merry at the dAnce of the goddess Amano- Uzume. The sun goddess, whose fem mine curiosity was aroused by the swelling music and dancing. opened the door of the cave to look upon the scene So pleased wae she at the merry entertainment that her wroth was dis pelled and she came out of her con- cealment Her subjects. gods and god- esses, were overjoyed at the reappear- ance of their sun goddess and sang
 (Centinued on Pave Twelve)