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Show JAPANESE PEOPLE TO SUCCESSION Democratic Feature Enters for First Time in Emperor's Em-peror's Coronation. SERVICES IN TEMPLES Sacred Relics Will Be Used in Ceremonies to Honor Ancestry. Special Cable to The Tribune. TOKIO, Sept. 11. For the first time in the history of the Japanese empire, extending over 2500 years, an emperor is to accede to the throne in the presence pres-ence of the representatives of his people. peo-ple. That is one great reason why the coronation of Emperor Yoshihito, which takes place on November 10. ia regarded as ODe of the supreme events in Japanese national life and why it is being looked forward to with such eagerness and delight de-light by the emperor's subjects. Strictly speaking, the ceremony is not a coronation, but an accession. The rulers of Nippon wear no crown upon their heads, but in the presence of the spirits of their ancestors they formally accede to the dignity and prerogatives of emperorship. However, in popular parlaDce, the coming great event is usually usu-ally referred to as the coronation. The accession, or coronation, ceremo-niep ceremo-niep will last through a fortnight and will revolve chiefly about the imperial palaces in the ancient capital of Kyoto. The official ceremonies may be said to be grouped under three headr3 those of the accession proper, the Daijosai, or grand thanksgiving festivals, and the proclamation of the accession before the various imperial mausoleums. Will Proceed Alone. In view of the fact that her majesty I the empress is expected to become "a mother about the time of the coronation, the emperor will doubtless proceed alone to Kyoto with great pomp and state, : carrying with Sim in a specially -constructed train of exquisite workmanship and decoration the three sacred treasures treas-ures which symbolize the authority au3 power of the throne. These treasures are the sacred mirror, the sacred sword and the comma-shaped jewel, which are always kept in the sacred sanctuary in the imperial palace at Tokio. The sword and gem are sometimes taken by the emperor when he leaves the palace, but the sacred mirror, which is the very essence es-sence of the holiness and divinity of the emperor, is never removed from the palace pal-ace except on the occasion of a coronation. corona-tion. After staving one night iu the city of Nagoya, "Emperor Y'osbihito will proceed pro-ceed to Kyoto and stay at the Nijo palace. pal-ace. It is there that the ceremonies of the accession will take place in tho presence of the members of the court, the ministers of state, members of the diplomatic corps and for the first time in history representatives of the people, who in this case will be the members ot the diet. Services in Temples. The sot vices of the accession will take place in what is known as the Shunkyoden temple, where the gorgeous throne of the emperor wdll be placed and where will be witnessed a rare Sicture of court nobles and priests ressed in the ancient and picturesque ceremonial robes. The foreign representatives repre-sentatives wall be ushered to their seats by the sound of flutes and drums. The doors of the sanctuary where the sacred mirror is placed will be opened and offerings spread before the altar. Then the emperor, preceded by the lord chamberlain cham-berlain and minister of the household, who carry, respectively, the sword and gem. will make their entrance, followed by the princes of the blood, ministers of state and the members of the coronation commission. A moment of silence and then the emperor will go to the altar and read an address proclaiming to the spirits of his ancestors that he has received the sacred sa-cred treasures and that he then and there ascends to the thorne, which is the seat of the son of heaven. Note of Democracy. At the second ceremony, which will be held in the Shishiiden palace. Emperor Em-peror Yoshihito will announce to his subjects his accession to the throne. Members of both houses, local governors and other persons representing the people peo-ple will be present at this function, as well as the members of the diplomatic corps. Tn striking contradistinction to the last coronation, which was conducted entirelv and exclusively in the presence of the court, in the coming ceremonies not only the people and representatives of foreign powers, but even a delegation of chiefs from the native tribes ot Formosa For-mosa will be present. This last is the idea of Premier Count Okuma, who wishes, while preserving the dignity and sanctity of the ceremonies, to bring in the note of democracy and popular representation. rep-resentation. The Daijosai. or thanksgiving festivals, festi-vals, will take place in the Nljo temples. There are two of these the Y'uki temple, tem-ple, dedicated to the deities of heaven, and the Sulci, dedicated to the deities of earth. It is in these sacred precincts that the emperor, alone and unseen, will eat of toe sacred rice which haa been sown and tended and harvested by virgins in the eastern and western provinces prov-inces of the empire. In each case the emperor cleanses himself in a bath of sacred water, after which, donning special spe-cial robes, he will pray successively before be-fore the heavenly and earthly deities, offering up thanks for his glorious and happy accession. When the ceremonies of Kyoto have been concluded the emperor' will visit the tombs of his predecessors to proclaim pro-claim to their spirits his accession to tne thrune. |
