New Britain herald., 1927-02-07
POMP, CEREMONY A JAPANESE FUNERAL
Impressive Rites Held Today
 for Late Emperor

ol4NHl, uppl oAtlDulcly ltOuu,uVV bowed, damp subjects viewing the cortegc which marked the passing of q person regarded as a lineal descendant of the mythical sun goddess.
 Although the late ruler actually was the real emperor for only a brief time. owing to an illness which afflicted him from the time of his youth the Japanese revered him as a deity. His death caused I nation wide mourning which for eigners seldom understand. Conse- qucntly, tonight's procession to- ward the tomb excited unusual emotion among a usually stoical people.
 Funerals Held at Night
 As the catafalque slowly made it's way over the four mile route from the imperial palace to Shin iuku gardens, half suppressed sobs of men, women and children were heard. All imperial funerals are held in the night time because the imperial spirit must go from dark ness into darkness, the Japanese believe.
 Approximately 5000 persons participated in the procession. which began to line up shortly be- fore 5 o'clock this afternoon. The forward end of the procession and the catafalque moved promptly at 6 o'clock. whereupon artillery throughout Japan fired 1O1 guns and the battleships 4S guns.
 Old Traditions Observed
 The route of the procession was lighted with 1O-foot wooden lan- terms on pedestals and containing electric lights and also by great braziers atop huge bamboo poles resembling burning pine fagots. Every effort was made to preserve the age-old tradition and even the quaint costumes of those who took part in processions thousand years ago were reproduced
 No women participated in the procession, princeSses and women of the nobility witnessing the cere- mony at Shinjuku gardens and at Asakawa, the burial ground.
 In addition to court musicians and reed music, several naval and military bands ntersperscd the procession. playing soft dirges.
 A feature of the procession was the huge catafalque drawn by four almost black oxen sanctifed by ttle ceremony.
 The Funeral Chariot
 Yoshihito's household regulations specified black and white spotted oxen, but those used were nearly coal black. Nine imperial ox-tend- CTS and numerous 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 wood en wheels, were concealed musical emitting seven distinct tones which merged into wailing dirge as the catafalque proceeded. The passing of the eerie, wailing cat afalqle affected the spectators tre- calling out sobs of grief.
 Prior to leaving the palace brief ceremony was held. Those who at tended were Emperor Hirohito, Dow ager Empress Sadako, the young princes and their sisters of the royal and retainers and priests. This was a sort of family farewell at which offerings 10 the spirits were made.
 Prince Chichibu, second son of Yoshihito and heir apparent, repre- sented the emperor in the process sion. following the catafalque on foot. The emperor was prevented from conforming to the custom of following the funeral carriage be- cause of recent cold. The emper- or and empress went to Shinjuku by automobile. The empress dowagcr, Sadalo, and Yoshihito's mother, Countess Yanigawara, also motorod to the funeral pavilion, as did Admiral Togo, naval hero of Japan and other high officials.
 Princess Takeda, sister of Yoshih- 1 10. represented the empress at the ! and was not present at the burial, The empress did not take part in | he ceremonies. She is an eXpectant | mother. The empress dowager ap- pcarcd at the funeral ceremony only | md was not prsent at the burial, being represented at the grave by Asaka, another sister of oshihito.
 Crowds began packing the route Of he procession early in the morning, nen, women and babies braving the old throughout the entire day and vening with food and tea in ther- nos bottles. The funeral street was losed to traffic at o'clock and prinkled with white sand. Paper on which were written fare Sells to the dead monarch, adorned very window in the houses along he route.
 Court musicians playing weird, yailing bamboo pires signalized the tart of the procession from the im- ,erial palace. There followed the booming of far away saluting can- lon and the tolling of innumerable cmple bells.
 At the head of the procession were numerous police in uniform. Then came a troop of the imperial cuards, the pick of the Japanese rmy, specially chosen navy guards, rmy and navy bands, torch bearers md members of the funeral com- mission, wearing ancient court dress traw shoes and sandals, court al- ts and more torch bearers in cos umes, bearers of sacred drums, ar- ow quivers, bows and great shields.
 Two pricesless chests belonging 0 the late ruler and containing cer- ain of his personal effects were 'orne along to be buried with him. hen came Shinto priests in gray