Evening star., 1928-11-15
Ancient and Modern Linked
In HirOhito's Enthronement

Japan's unique intermingling of The
ultra modern in actual progress with
It's ancient traditions of governm ent
ingly impressed upon the Occidental
world than by the awesome formalities
attending the enthronement of Emperor
Hirohito.
The ceremony is described by the Co
lumbia State as "unquestionably the
grandest. most glamorous and resplend-
ent in all history" and that paper
says of its significance: THE Japanese
are careful to distinguish this great
rite from what the West calls q 'coro-
nation the placing OF crown upon
royal brows. 1t is, indeed, something
far more immense and impressive than
any Western coronations. and the sig
niticance is vaSter and profounder.
Here is crowned no mere human being.
no mere successful military leader or
conquistador. no mere scion of a trans
Sient dynasty. These personages are
exalted, half-gods, soon to be full gods
OF the ShintO heavens, and. in the
long procession of imperial ancestors,
chief deities of the japanese pantheon.
They are condescending to be enthroned
in the seat of their imperial fathers
who have ruled and owned Yamato
from its creation-at least. even in the
strict historical sense. for generations
and millenniums more remote than any
dynasty or royal family or even people
of Europe"
Though the Emperor still governs by
divine sanction" the Chicago Daily
News says. 1.-The nation of which he is
sovereign has been democratizing itself
and adopting ways called Western with
astonishing rapidity and effectiveness"
and adds: japanese thinkers saw
frankly that they see no virtue in misty
distinctions between Occidcntalism ami
Orientalism. They adopt sound ideas
wherever found, provided these can be
applied with benefit to conditions in
their own country. They believe that
civilization is monistic, not pluralistic.
and that justice. good will and progress
mean exactly the same things all over
the world. They wish to be judged by
universal and permanent standards. as
well as by the fruits of their diplomacy
and their internal policies. This is a
legitimate demand. The Western ma
tionS are learning to respect it,
I'm its mingling of the ultra modern
with tradition drawn from prehistoric
antiquity" states the Springfield Re-
publican, Japan is unique among the
nations, and the ferment which has
been going on for two generations is
likely to be intensified under the reign
of Hirohito. Amid the splendor of the
enthronement it might be possible to
imagine that nothing had changed, but
the spectators emerged after the spec
tacle into real world where every
thing changes in spite of edicts against
dangerous thought Even the position
d. ~ s,,fa~ 70
be, although it is doubtless to some
extent what personal quality makes of
1t, and Hirohito has already shown
that he Is not to be mere figurehead."
y X
Pointing out that Hirohfto has been
regent during the several years of his
laudS his progressive spirit. OF the rela-
tions between Japan and the United
States, the Texas paper observes:
Japan greatly depends on its exports
to the United States. which average
S400 100000 a year and run from 40
to As per cent Of all Japanese sales
abroad. Between 1922 and 1927 this
country bought more goods from the
Mikado's realm than did all the peo-
pies in Asia, and Japan is an excellent
customer here. This profitable busi-
ness for both countries is a potent
factor in maintaining peace"
Special qualifications OF the new ruler
are described by the Philadelphia Rec
ord. which finds as to his preparation:
"Hirohito Is we'll versed In foreign af-
fairs. He is the first ruler of Japan TO
have visited the Western world, having
made a tour of Europe In 1914. Since
he came to manhood he has made
close study Of international affairs. and