JAPANESE VALHALLA

Evening Star, Issue 24329, 19 October 1942, Page 4

JAPANESE VALHALLA

" WE MEET AT YASUKUNI ” (Contributed.) Xu a- recent cable message, Hallett Abend, of the ‘ New York Times.’ wrote of the Japanese Tadori, a soldier of courage, endurance, tenacity, fanatical patriotism, and no fear of death. If he parts with another soldier, he makes no flippant farewell Each salutes the other gravely, and one says: “Until we meet at Yasukum. “ At Yasukuni,” replies the other. “ Until we meet at Yasukuni to the Japanese mind means more than Western intelligence, can grasp. On the top ot Kudan Hill, in Tokio, a short distance from the British Legation and the Imperial Palace, stands the Shinto temple ot Vasukurii. frequently referred to as the fehokonsha or spirit-invoking shrine. 11ns temple was built in 1869, according to the severest canons of pure Shinto architecture and solemn deification ceremonies have taken place here, ever since. It is interesting to note that the Emperor of Japan retains Ihe exclusive privilege of appointm'o- gods to be worshipped by the nation, and those who give themselvse in battle are accorded that coveted honour. The following is an account of the sixth dedication ceremony enacted at Yasukuni since the outbreak of the China alfair, when the spirits of 14,400 war dead were deified, on October 15, 1940;—“ All eyes and thoughts in Tokio are directed towards Yakusuni. More than 30,000 relatives from all over Japan are present to witness their dear ones being deified. It is here that the emotional side of the character ot the people if it could be interpreted, would convey little to an outsider, there remaining that expressionless, yet resolute, confidence in self that none can underat“lThe first formal worship is at 8 a.m., when there are present only, the dignitaries of Slate, including the War Minister (general Toio), Navy Minister (Admiral Oikawa), and officers of the units to winch the war dead belonged, General Hata, chairman of the Festival Committee, and the chief priest, General Suzuki, accompanied by the lesser priests of the shrine. The next to arrive is the Imperial messenger, Count Mufomachi, who places before the mam altar the Emperor's offering. In the afleii noon relatives and representatives of the bereaved families, passing along a guard t 0 f honour under the command of LieuteuI ant Uehivama. are ushered into position. General Hata announces the hour tor the spirit-inviting ceremony, and the clnol prie-l, with his assistants, all finely clad in while Shinto garments, invite the spirits into an ark which is carried in-sacred procession through the darkness to the holy of holies in the main shrine. As the ark passes by, many may be heard murmuring

the name of their newly-deified husbands, fathers, and sobs. The day terminates at 10 p.m. to musical strains from (lie military band. Yasukmii having contributed in a real sense to the vision of a greater Japan. This ceremony is the climax of several days of sport and horse racing, facilities for which comprise a part of the temple compound."