The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-01-10
Open Shrine TO
DEAD emperor
Strange Ceremony in Japan, n.
Guiding Vaudeville, Marks
Two Days OF Worship.
BUILDING COST Slo,Oo1,OoJ
Impressive Manifestations of Loyalty
Featured the Solemn S.1into Cerc-
monies--Voices Silent Dur.
ing Worship.

TokyO.-After six years labor ant
an expenditure estimated at $4,000,
OOO, the national shrine to the late
Emperor Mutsuhito was opened re-
Gently with solemn Shinto ceremonies
and amid impressive manifestations
of loyalty. For three days the popu.
lace Of Tokyo celebrated the occasion
Every street was decorated with bunt.
ing, and from the humblest door Ian.
terms were displayed at night.
The municipality gave flower show
and open-air performances and the
atrical performances In Hibiya park,
but for the most part the festivities
were comparatively organized by the
citizens In different wards. At hun
dreds of central points stages had
been erected, where vaudeville shows
were given and there We're fireworks
both night and day.
Thousands From Country.
l. Over 10000 persons from the coun-
try districts visited the city during
the festival.
The shrine is typical ShintO build
ing of plain wood, and OF the simplest
possible construction. The opening
ceremony was attended by over 1000
persons and officials, and lasted about
three hours The central feature was
the delivery to Prince Ichijo, warder
Of the shrine, of the name tablets of
the late emperor, and their installa-
ton In the inner sanctuary.
Prince Kuio, a relative of the EN-.
peror, delivered a commemorative ora
ton to which Prince Ichijo replied.
The shrine was thereafter opened to
the public and at least 100000 people
worshiped before it during the re-
mainder Of the day.
The scene where these multitudes
Of people were paying their respects
to the memory of the dead emperor
was impressive. The main entrance
to the shrine is by means of new
and very broad road about two miles
In length. Along this road all the day
and evening two great strings Of peo-
pie poured, one going to the shrine,
the other returning.
The whole of this roadway was
brilliantly lighted and decorated with
flags and ornamental lanterns. But
once the torli at the entrance to the
shrine had been passed a great change
came over the scene. The modern
world was left behind, the gold and
red ornamentation ceased and the rest
Of the way was made under the shade
Of gigantic pine trees, which might
have been part Of the virgin forests
Of old Japan.
Pilgrims were admitted In groups of
about 200. Their journey ended in
small paved courtyard inclosed with
ow wall. The shrine, low, severely
'lain building. was opposite the gate
way, and by the dim light Of two large
,aper lanterns about q dozen white
'obed priests were seen moving slow
y back and forth within the doorway.
They were sweeping up the coins that
aimed continually on the steps Of the
hrine
Voices Are Silent.
Not sound could be heard except
he light hand-clapping Of the wor-
hipers calling on the enshrined spirit
f the emperor. No human voice was
card. There was not even an audible
rayer; in complete silence the multi
ude paid their respects to the spirit
f Meiji and passed on.
On the two following days the
brine was again visited by hundreds
+ thousands. and the proceedings
7ere enlightened by wrestling and 9TH
r public entertainments near the
brine. The crown prince, on behalf
the emperor, worshiped at the
brine on the second day.
1t is intended to associate the young
len of Japan especially with the
[eiji shrine. A huge stadium will be
uilt in the grounds of the shrine.