Evening star., 1928-11-10
H|ROH|TO ASCENDS
HIGH AUGUST SEAT
OF JAPAN'S THRONE
Brilliant Coronation Witness
ed by Foreigners and Thou
sands of Subjects.
KYOT0 CROWDS SHOUT
"BANZAI" WITH FERVOR
Ceremony Timed to Second, So
That Millions in Other Cities
Join Tribute.
BY the Associated Press.

sovereign tOQdy 1OTUndlly dSCeHQ6Q tIl'
"high august seat" the throne of tht
unbroken line of the heirs of the Sur
Goddess, who. tradition says, have
reigned over Japan from before thu
dawn of authentic history
Before the highest dignitaries of hi
realm and representatives of Is othel
nations, from his seat under tht
phoenix-creSted canopy, Hirohito made
the announcement this afternoon BY
which he took his place as the 124tt
Emperor of Japan and among the en-
throned monarchs of the world.
The climax of this solemn ano
meticulously planned and executed
ceremony came precisely at 3 O'Clock
when Premier Baron Tanaka, standing
at the foot of the stairs of the throne
hall, led the brilliant assemblage in
three cries of "BanZai!"
Whole Nation Joins In.
This was timed to the second SO that
at hundreds of centerS throughout the
empire other gatherings, less distin-
guished, but no less fervent, could join
IN the same cry at the same instant
"Banzai!" literally 10000 years!" is
best translated as used on this occasion
eReign forever!"
Of the 26 foreign ENJOYS who re-
Geived the formal announcement of the
Imperial accession, only one represented
an Emperor. This was the Emperor OF
India, who is also King George v OF
Great Britain. Nine brought the felici-
tations of Kings and IA of Presidents
of republics of orthodox pattern.
sztta .I@xs
from Soviet Russia, where a decade
ago the new absolute power, the prole-
tariat, took control and an envoy of
uncertain status from Nationalist China.
The drama of the Sokui-Rei, or
ceremony of ascending the throne"
was enacted before company of about
two thousand persons, many of them
women. 1t solemnized an accession
which actually occurred nearly two
years ago, for Hirohito has reigned in
fact since his father, Emperor Taisho,
died early Christmas morning, 1926.
Pageant Is Historical.
On this stage was presented a
pageant richer in historical symbolism
than any other now surviving, the story
of a people crstallized in ritual. The
long scroll of the legends and authentic
history of Nippon, the land of the gods,
beginning with the misty and Informed
tales of the divine ancestors, from whom
the japanese believe themselves descend
ed, was unrolled.
There were symbols aplenty of the
Sun Goddess, who is held to have ruled
the high plain of Heaven before this
mundane order took form. In the sword
and jewel of the imperial regalia were
reproduced relics of a prehistoric Japan
from which the empire emerged, with
the accession of Jimmu Tenno, which
the official histories place 1888 years
ego.
Abundant survivals of the centuries
more than 1000 years ago, through
which the influence of the still more
ancient culture of China dominated
japanese thought and manners, ap'
peared in the architecture of the
throne hall itself and in the ritual.
In the costumes of the chief actors
were pictured the luxury and refine
ment of the court of medieval KyOto
In the bows and arrows and corSelets
of the guards before the throne room
there lived again the sWagger of the
warriors of feudal, shotgun-ruled Japan
they of the inflexible Samurai code
which preferred death to disloyalty ol
disgrace. The modern age was pictured
in the 1928 toilets of the ladies of the
uniforms or full evening dress of theil
escorts.
Another Older Ceremony.
Ancient as was the ritual here per-
formed it is not the oldest extant Jap
anese enforcement ceremony. Tha
remains to be performed in the chill
dark watches of the night of Novembel
1915, when the Emperor must q
through the observance of the Daijo
Sal, or great Thanksgiving, which goe
back to the very beginnings Of king
ship and priesthood
The spectacle took place in the throne
han, called Shishinden, or Purple Mys
terious Hail." in the southern section
of the Imperial Palace Park. Whet
the climactic point was reached tn
Emperor and his consort, Nagako, wer'
seated on their canopied thrones in tn
center of the hail. with the prince
and princeSses of the blood-25 IN mum
ber--ranged before them, tianked b
the minister of the imperial household
the grand master of ceremonies ant
other high officials of the court. .,
The throne hall, opened to the soutt
was visible with all it contained 1rol
the broad forecourt, where the majorIt
of participants and spectators had the
places. On the three sides facing tn
Shishin-D Den the forecourt was lnclose
by richly curtained corridors in whic
and in temporary pavilons adjoinln
the invited guests had their stations.
Brilliant Silken Banners.
Down the center of the court ran tn
most colorful part of the spectacle
Two rows of brilliant silken banners in
closed a rectangle in which were range
the guards in medieval costume, drum
gongs and pennon- capped spears.
Soon after midday guards took the
stand at the gates of the inclosul
and guests and actors began to NOV
to their allotted places. The thrice
repeated booming of the gongs an
drums announced the beginning an
the highest of the participants move
to their stations within the hall.
A warning cry by masters OF GER
lmony told Of the approach Of the En-
peror, who entered upon his throne da
from the north, the curtains on u
front. or southern side. of the thror
remaining undrawn. The Empress fo
lowed to her throne. After she h;
taken her place the curtains of the tI
thrones were drawn back, those of Il
Emperor by two chamberlains, VIII
two court ladies performed the same G
flee for the Empress
Their ma jesties we're disclosed to Il
essemblage seated on their chairs
black lacquer and mother of pearl.