MEAL WITH THE GODS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1929, Page 2

MEAL WITH THE GODS

LAST KITE OF AX ENTHRONEMENT. KYOTO, Nov. 13. The protracted purification ceremonies for the Emperor, and for the buildings used for the Dai jo Sai, began today. l’rince Konoyo entertained a number of journalists, to whom the Emperor sent a gift of calces hearing the Imperial crest. The Jidai .Matsuri, one of Kyoto’s most famous festivals, was staged today for the general public. One of the most interesting rites of the purification, performed by Shinto priests, is the Soul Traiujuillisatiou of his Imperial Majesty. The purification of the buildings took place in the presence of the Emperor and all who are to take part in the Dnijo Sai. The Gods of the Gateways and all other Gods connected with the buildings were propitiated. The Chinkon Sai. the Soul Trancjuillisation Ceremony of the Emperor, is of extreme interest not only because it is picturesque but because it is a. survival of an ancient ritual ol magic. THE FOUR SPIRITS. The Japanese of other days believed that four spirits, or souls, found lodging in one body. There were a gentle spirit, a rough spirit, a luck spirit, and a wondrous spirit. One or more of these spirits might wander away from the body at will. The Chinkon Sai is designed to recall all four spirits to the body of the Emperor that they may be there when he communes with the gods. A temporary shrine is set up to nine deities, and eight “treasures are placed before it. In ancient days these treasures possessed such virtue that if one shook (hem about and counted to ten it was possible to recall even the dead to life. A priest then enters bearing two boxes of willow wood, one ol which contains clothing ol the Emperor and the other a long cord of thick white silk. The leading ritualist claps his hands together ltd times, a woman ritualist mounts an inverted tub and. holding bells in one hand and a vine draped spear in the other, performs a sacred dance. This finished, she strikes the tub ten Limes with her spear, counting as she does so. As each number is sounded a ritualist ties a knot in the white cor.d which represents the lilo-cord of the Emperor, and thus are the four spirits recalled and confined to his Majesty’s body. A similar rite is performed over the clothing and life-cord of the Empress.

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