The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-02-07
LARGE CROWDS
WITNESS RITES
FOR Y0SHIHITO
Million Japanese Crouch in
Prayer as Procession of
5000 Persons Passes
NATION IN MOURNING
No Women Participate in Pro-
cessi0n-All Age-old Ira
ditiOns Preserved
NATION IN MOURNING

Tokyo, Feb. 7-(AP)-Onc
person was killed and more
than 100 injured in the pres
sure by the crowd of one mil
lion which lined TokyO's
streets tonight to witness the
funeral procession of Emperor
YoshihitO.
Many other casualties were
believed to have been suffered
at other parts Of the city, but
details were not Immediately
available in the confusion.
Tokyo, Feb. 7.--lR-Yoshihito
123d emperor of Japan, tonight was
accorded the most pretentious fun
eral in the history of the orient, APP
proximately 100000 bowed, damp
eyed subjects viewing the gorgeous
cortege which marked the passing of
parsonage regarded as lineal de-
scendant Of the mythical sun goddess.
Although the late ruler actually
was the real emperor for only brief
time, owing to illness, his death caus-
ed a real nation-w ide mourning which
foreigners seldom understand. Con-
sequently, tonight's procession toward
the tomb excited unusual emotion
among usually stoical people.
As the magnificent catafalque
slowly wended its way over the four
mile route from the Imperial palace
to Shinjuku Gardens. half suppressed
sobs Of men, women and children
were heard. All impe rial funerals
are held in the night time because the
imperial spirit must go from dark
ness into darkness.
Artillery Fires Salute
Approximately 5000 persons partic-
ipated in the procession which be-
gan to line up shortly before q
o'clock this afternoon. The forward
end Of the procession and the cata-
falque began to move promptly at 1
o'clock, whereupon artillery through.
out Japan fired 1Ol guns and the bat.
tleships AZ guns.
The route of the procession wa.
lighted with 1O-foot wooden lantern.
on pedestals containing electric lights
and also by great braziers, atop huge
bamboo poles, resembling burning
pine faggots. Every effort was made
to preserve the age-old traditions anc
even the quaint costumes of those wht
participated in professions a Thousand
years ago were reproduced.
No women participated in the pro-
cession, princesses and women of the
nobility witnessing the ceremony al
Shinjuku gardens and at Asakawa, the
burial ground.
In addition to court musicians ant
reed music, several naval and mill
tary bands interspersed the process
sion, playing soft funeral dirges.
A feature of the procession was the
huge catafalque drawn by four al.
most black oxen, sanctified by due
ceremony.
A Weird Procession
Yoshihito's household regulations
specified black and white spotted
oxen, but those used were nearly Goa
black. Nine imperial offenders ant
numerous assistants guided the cata.
falquc, a vehicle weighing more than
one ton, fashioned from four kinds
of wood. In the wheel hubs. the cen.
ters Of two great wooden wheels
were concealed peculiar musical at.
tachments emitting seven distinct
tones which merged into wailine
dirge as the catafalque proceeded. The
passing of the cerie, wailing cata'
falque, scmcd to affect the spectators
tremendously, calling out sobs ol
grief.
Prior to leaving the palace briei
ceremony was held. This was sort
lContlnusd on page thEee.l