Cleveland County herald., 1921-01-13
OPEN SHRINE TO
 DEAD EMPEROR
Strange Ceremony in Japan, h. cluding Vaudeville, Marks
 Two Days of Worship.
BUILDING COST s1O,OOO,OOO
Impressive Manifestations of Loyalty Featured the Solemn Shinto Cere- monics-Voices Silent Dur.
 ing Worship.

Tokyo.-After six years labor ans an expenditure estimated at $1000O,- 600, 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 laD- 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 both night and day.
 Thousa. Ids From Country.
 Over 250,O0O 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 2,0OO persons and officials and lasted about three hours The central feature was the delivery to Prince Iehijo, wardef of the shrine, of the name tablets Of the late emperor, and their installa tion in the inner sanctuary
 Prince Kujo relative of the en- peror, delivered commemorative ora tion to which Prince Iehijo replied | The shrine was thereafter opened to the public and at least 5o0,0o0 people worshiped before it during the re mainder of the day.
 The scene where these multitudesi of people were paying their respectsI to the memory of the dead emperor was impressive. The main entrancri 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. she other returning
 The whole of this roadway was1 brilliantly lighted and decorated with flags and ornamental lanterns Butl 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 migbi have been part of the virgin forest of old Japan.
 Pilgrims were admitted in groups Of about POO. Their journey ended in a small paved courtyard inclosed with 6 low wall. The shrine, low, severely plain building, was opposite the gate way, and by the dim light of two large paper lanterns about dozen white robed priests were seen moving slow ly back and forth within the doorway They were sweeping up the coins that ra red continually on the steps of the shrine.
 Voices Are Silent.
 Not sound could be heard except the light hand-clapping of the wor- shipers calling on the enshrined spirit of the emperor. No human voice was heard. There was not even an audible prayer; in complete silence the multi tude paid their respects to the spirit of Meiji and passed on.
 On the two following days the shrine was again visited by hundreds of thousands, and the proceedings were enlightened by wrestling and oth- CT public entertainments near the shrine. The crown prince, on behalf ol tne emperor, worshiped at tie shrine on the second day.
 It is intended to associate the young men of Japan especially with the Meiji shrine A huge stadium will be built in the grounds of the shrine, and it is expected that the principal athletic events of Japan will be con- A IL Al