CROWDS HONOUR SHRINE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 December 1928, Page 7

CROWDS HONOUR SHRINE

JAPAN’S TIIIBUTK Or SACHET)

K iCE

KYOTO, Nov. o

'I ho Emperor and Empress of J.-p----an, all tlio Princes and Uriiicosses of tlio Blood, llie foreign envoys, and many liigli officials and dignitaries' have now arrived in the ancient city of Kyoto, which is liiled to overflowing with foreigners and Japanese to witess what they may ol the imposing rites of the .Japanese “Great Ceremonies” connected with the new rul-

er s accession

As the Imperial procession passed through the outer grounds to on lei the Palace there arose a soft sound like tiie palter of falling leaves in autumn.

It was the clapping of hands in prayer by thousands of devout Japanese as they worshinpod the Kashikodokor; (the siiino “Place of Awe”) as it returned to flu l Palace which was its home for a thousand years.

It is estimated that B(M,U(X.) people lined the route of the profession. Many of them had remained in iiwir places all night, despite the pouring rain. The whole city in gaily decorated. Tliei'e is a tempts tioli id Call the rites at Kyoto the “coronation” of the Emperor of Japan, hut such a term cannot he justified. No “crown” whatever is used. Neither can they he called the “enthronement,” for his Majesty ascended the Throne in the early dawn of Christmas Day, 1926, immediately following the death of his father, the Kmperor Taisia.. The Japanese words arc Golai Ten and (iotai Rei, which may he translated as tlm Croat Ceremonies. Not until a full year of mourning had passed for the late Emperor could the dates for the present ceremonies he selected. After the year of mourning now rice had to he planted and bo harvested. CROWI'To OK THE RICK. Ono of the fields, the Yuki Kield, lies near Kyoto. r \ he other, the Sulci iKiold, is on the island of Kvishu. These fields were consecrated, and the neighbourhoods searched lor the most virtuous young men and women to cultivate them.

The "lanting of the rice, the transplanting of the. young shoots and the harvesting were conducted with great ceremony and much ritual. The actual grain is considered to be a god. The Emperor will offer it tc the gods on the night of Wednesday, November 14, when ho communes with them and joins them in a sacramental meal. This ceremony, the Paijo Sai, is the climax, and most vital part of the ceremonies. It takes plaeg. in two special halls, the Yuki Den and the Suki Den which are in the grounds of the Omiya Palace at Kyoto. The sites for these buildings were purified And sanctified.

They are of the most archaic areh*tecture in Jaonn. All timbers are of pine from whi-h tbe bark has not been removed and no nails have been used, the timbers being tied together with the tendrils of wild vines.