The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-27
JAPAN ROYALTY
 WEDS IN. TOXIC
Prince Regent Hirohito Married To Princess Nagako In
 Beautiful Ceremony


 TOXIC, Jan. 26.-(By Associated Press.)-In the sacred precincts of the imperial palace and in accordance with ancient marriage ritual antedating the Christian era, Prince Regent Hirohito was welded this morning to Princess NagaAo, eldest daughter of Prince Kuni.
 l Residents of Tokio indulged in joyous celebration of the event, the first pub lie expression of joy since the disaster of last September. Great crowds gathered in the streets, which were gaily decorated for the occasion, and thronged the open spaces in the vicinity of the palace for glimpse of the royal ; couple.
 The wedding was celebrated with Shinto rites and was an announcement of the event to the imperial spirits which are enshrined in the Kashiki- Dokoro, or holy of holies, in front of which the pair took their vows. ! The spirits of 122 royal predecessors witnessed the union and gave the bless 1 inss, according to devout Japanese be- lief. The royal couple exchanged bowls ot sacred rice wine, to plight their troth. after tie ancient custom.
 Two Hours" Walk To Shrine ! Previously, as ill the case of acces- 1 sion 10 the throne. the party including members of the royal family and off cials of 5be household assembled, and for two hours went through a slow movement toward the shrine, every l step in which, including the sounding ot the clappers, was according to the imperial wedding law.
 No foreigner witnessed the ceremony, viiy he mcmbers of the royal family and the highest dignitaries of the em- pire being permitted to attend the riLGS.
 iite sar5 O! the regent was the sim plc dress cuit of Japanese gentleman foi such occasions except that the upper cloak was red with shade of yellow running through it. the patterns en- hroidered on it representing mandarin ducks. The makama, or loose trousers, were of white silk with patterns of butterflies, while the obi. or belt, was of black leather decorated with pat [ terms Of butterflies while the obi or belt, Was of black leather decorated with carved atones
 Brides Costume Elaborate
 The brides costume was far more elaborate
 Phe chief garment or Karaginu was a dazzling kimona of scarlet and purple silk with the chrysanthemum crest in white embroideries on it. The mo, or skirt, was another piece of artistic weaving being of white silk handsomely embroidered. The uwagi. or outer dress, I was of purple silk decorated with de. . O nIf fy,r .h-lL : 0f iollg life. 4 long robe known to Japan as the uchiginu, and tn Itsutsug- [ inu, or fifth dress. were of rich silk handsomely embroidered.
 In the ease of the Princess the hak- l-amma which formed train were of purple silk.
 | The bride carried q fan of gilded wood on which appeared paintings of flowers of all colors. The fan was so carried that the bride might give and receive with it as it is not permitted to touch sacred things with ones own i hands.
 i Sceptre And Crown Accompanying the Regent were the sceptre and crown. The shrine itself l was decorated with offerings of fruit and chrystanthemums.
 The ceremony was comparatively simple, being comparable to, civil we'd ding in Christian countries, according to Japanese students. The official pub lie celebration had been postponed until later in the year owing to the country s mourning. The public ceremonial will include a great banquet attended by court officials and diplomats.
 The object of the banquet will be to nlake official announcement to the peO- pie and to foreign powers of the fact that the heir to the throne has been welded.
 Tremendous crowds greeted the Prince and his bride as they passed to and fro from the palace before and after the ceremony. Many of the spectators
 iinlbed upon great piles of debris left by the earthquake and fire in September to catch sight of the wedding process sion as it passed.
 Elaborate precautions were taken to
 pard against any untoward incident during the ceremony. Ten thousand police and soldiers lined the routes taken by the bride and bridegroom, who aphroache,l the palace by , separate thoroughfarcs. The crowds were well lnal alghalled and orderly, however. and the Sprincess regents progress through the streets was marked by rolling waves of Hanzaia, the Japanese cheer. Dazzling Spectacle Tl|e calvacade of the prince regent to tile palace was dazzling spectacle X mounted contingent of the imperial body {guard escorted the procession, | their brilliant red and gold uniforms adding bright color to the scene. ] After the ceremony the imperial salute of 101 guns announced the com 4I. n, ,CWaN. fa h. great throngs waiting outside the palace.
 After the wedding luncheon the royal couple led a triumphal procession f.Um the imperial palace to Akasaka the idetached palace, which has been theH temporary residence. The imam. moth crowds of people still tKropged the} streets as they passed and greeted thaym with prolonged cheering and