
The funeral of emperor hirohito : last rites for an emperor
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The _ Sojoden-no Gi _ and _ Taiso-no Rei, _ as the religious and secular rites in Emperor Hirohito’s funeral ceremony are called, were held at downtown park, Shinjuku Gyoen, which was
originally an imperial garden. His entombment took place at the Musashi Imperial Cemetery on the outskirts of the capital. (Times listed are for Tokyo). Friday, 7:30 a.m.-- _ Renso-Tojitsu
Hinkyusai-no Gi, _ final ceremony at the _ hinkyu, _ or “Imperial Place of Rest,” held at palace. 9:00 a.m.-- _ Jisha-Hatsuin-no Gi, _ ceremony in which emperor’s 990-pound coffin was loaded
onto the _ jisha, _ or imperial hearse, at south driveway of palace. About 500 foreign dignitaries joined other guests at Shinjuku Gyoen park. 9:35 a.m.--Hearse left main palace gate in
40-car procession, receiving 21-gun salute as it crossed Nijubashi Bridge. Military bands played funeral music at 10 sites along route. Public also lined route under heavy police guard.
10:15 a.m.--Cortege arrived at main gate of park, with another 21-gun salute. Coffin transferred to _ Sokaren, _ or “Onion Flower Palanquin,” a 23-by-10-foot litter made of Japanese cypress
and painted with black lacquer. 10:31 a.m.--Palanquin carried in solemn, 9-minute procession to _ Sojoden, _ or funeral hall, with a retinue of attendants in traditional court costume.
Procession went through _ mammon, _ the curtain that separates viewing tents where guests were seated and funeral hall. _ Mammon _ closed and coffin enshrined for ceremony. 10:53 a.m.--_
Mammon _ opened, and _ Sojoden-no Gi, _ or private religious ceremony of the imperial house, began. Band and choir performed “Ruika,” a traditional song of sorrow. Offerings of food and silk
brocade made at altar. Address by chief of ceremony Torahiko Nagazumi, a schoolmate of late emperor. 11:10 a.m.--Emperor Akihito walked through _ torii, _ or ritual Shinto gate that stood
behind the _ mammon, _ and delivered _ onrui, _ or address of mourning. Imperial family paid respects. 11:45 a.m.--_ Mammon _ closed. During 13-minute intermission, attendants removed the _
torii _ gate and ritual offerings to prepare for public secular rites, thus satisfying postwar constitutional separation of church and state. 11:58 a.m.--_ Mammon _ reopened, and _ Taiso-no
Rei, _ or secular ceremony, began. Emperor and empress returned to funeral hall. Noon--Akihito led mourners in one minute of silence, which government requested nation also observe.
Addresses of condolence by Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita, parliamentary and judicial leaders. Japanese and foreign dignitaries paid respects. 1:10 p.m.--_ Mammon _ closed and ceremony
ended. Coffin transferred to hearse. 1:40 p.m.--_ Mammon _ reopened and cortege left Shinjuku Gyoen park for 30-mile journey to Musashi Imperial City in Hachioji City. 3:15 p.m.--Cortege
arrived at mountainside mausoleum site. 3:20 p.m.--_ Ryosho-no Gi, _ or private entombment ceremony, began. Foreign guests did not attend. Coffin taken to _ Soyoden_ , or interment hall,
behind another _ mammon _ curtain. Coffin, in three-hour process, lifted 99 feet up face of hillside and placed in stone chamber along with epitaph. It will remain there until construction
of new imperial mausoleum in about a year. 7:30 p.m.--_ Mammon _ at interment hall reopened and rituals resumed, attended by emperor, empress and governmental representatives. Members of
imperial family paid final respects. 8:50 p.m.--Ceremonies concluded. MORE TO READ