Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-07

but those used were nearly coal black.
Nine imperial offenders and numer-
Gus assistants guided the catafalque,
a vehicle weighing more than one ton.
fashioned from four kinds of wood.
IN the wheel hubs, the centers Of two
great wooden wheels, were concealed
peculiar musical attachments, emit.
ting seven distinct tones. which
merged into a wailing dirge as the
catafalque proceeded.
The passing of the eerie, wailing
catafalque seemed to affect the spec
tators tremendously, calling out sobs
of grief.
Prior to leaving the palace a brief
ceremony was held, attended only by
Emperor Hirohito, Dowager Empress
Sadako, the young prices and their
sisters of the royal household and re-
tainers and priests. This was a sort
OF family farewell, at which offerings
to the spirits were made
Prince Chichibu, second son of 70.
shihito and heir apparent, represented
the Emperor in the procession, follow.
ing the catafalque on foot.
The Emperor was prevented from
conforming to the custom of following
the funeral carriage because of re-
cent cold. The Emperor and Empress
went to Shinjuku Gardens by auto
mobile. The Empress Dowager Sa.
dako, and Yoshihito's mother Countess
Yanigawara, also motored to the fu-
neral pavilion, as did Admiral Togo,
naval hero Of Japan, and other high
officials.
Empress Confined to Home.
Princess Takeda, sister Of Yoshihito,
m
funeral services and the burial. The
Empress did not participate in the
ceremonies, being an expectant
mother.
The Empress Dowager appeared at
the funeral ceremony only and was
not present at the burial, being repre-
sented at the grave by Princess Asaka
another sister of Yoshihito,
Crowds began packing the route of
the procession early in the morning,
men, women and babies Drawing the
cold throughout the entire day and
evening with food and tea in thermos
bottles. The funeral street was closed
to traffic at 3 o'clock and sprinkled
with white purity sand. Paper lam
terms, on which were written farewells
to the dead monarch. adorned every
window in the houses along the route.
A1%AOCASp OIItCES ana DuS-
ineSses were closed for the day. No
music or gayety of any sort was per-
mitted.
Court musicians playing weird, wall
ing bamboo pipes signalized the start
of the procession from the imperial
palace. There followed Immediately
the booming Of far-away saluting can
non and the tolling of innumerable
temple bells.
AT the head OF the procession were
numerous police in uniform. Then
came troop of the Imperial Guards.
the pick Of the Japanese army, spe-
cially chosen navy guards, army and
navy bands, torchbearers and men,
bers Of the funeral commission, wear
ing ancient court dress, straw shoes
and sandals; court Wallets and more
torchbearers in costumes, bearers of
sacred drums, arrow quivers, bows
and great shields.
Two priceless chests belonging to
the late ruler and containing certain
of his personal effects were borne
along to be buried with him. Then
came Shinto priests in gray cere-
monial court dress and bearers of
chests containing rice and other food
to be deposited in the tomb. Follow
ing these were the chief keeper Of the
imperial mausoleum carrying Yoshi-
hito's sword, also consigned to the
grave, and Prince Ito, grand master
of ceremonies; Household Minister
Ichiki and other officials.
Everybody Forced to Walk.
The only vehicle in the procession
was the catafalque, imperial regula-
lions requiring all to walk. Virtually
all the high officials of Japan. in uni
form or ancient dress, participated.
The emperor excused Admiral Togo,
Privy Council President Kuratomi,
Premier Wakatsuki, Field Marshal
Oku and Fleet Admiral Inouye. BE-
cause of age or illness and they mo-
tored to the funeral garden, as did
the Empress Dowager. Emperor Hiro-
hito and other members Of the royal
family.
Although the recent regulations re-
quired the Emperor to march behind
the catafalque, his majesty's recent
cold and the weather caused the APP
pointment of the athletic Prince Chi
chibu, second son of the Emperor, and