SOUL OF JAPAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21473, 22 April 1933, Page 2 (Supplement)

SOUL OF JAPAN

FIRST EMPEROR'S SWORD

SYMBOL OF THE GODS rebuilding a shrine It is an old saying that the sword is the soul of Japan, this meaning that every Japanese must be prepared at all times to face death for the sake or honour and duty, and for this reason the ancient sword liandea to the nrst Emperor of Japan, by the gods, as a symbol of divine rule, is treasured m one of the most ancient of the national shrines as an object of almost divine reverence. .. , . At a time when atheism so largely dominates Japanese thought, religious ideas being regarded as so much superstition, it is remarkable how devoted officialdom is to the religious customs of antiquity. It is this contradiction between outward form and inward life that is creating so dangerous a degree of Communistic though!, in Japan. This year the wooden structure of the Atsuta shrine, housing the sacred sword, known as Kusanagi-no-tsurugi, is being rebuilt, as has been the custom every 40 years from time immemorial; and during tho process of reconstruction the ancient sword had to bo moved to a temporary shrine specially erected for the purpose. This act involved a most elaborate ceremony, symbolising worship of the sword and precaution accainst its being contaminated by anything profane. In this ceremony important priests and a special

representative of the Emperor participated. The ritual part of the ceremony of removal began at eight in the evening, the gorgeous robes of those taking part glowing in the light of the flaring torches, creating an impression of awe aud splendour. The scene was witnessed by about 5000 people, and companies of infantry acted as a guard of honour. This central function at night was preceded by a number of preliminary ceremonies for several days in preparation for the final act of removal. Just at the moment when the beautiful case enclosing the sword was lifted from the altar by the priests all lights were dimmed save the tiny lanterns held about the bearers of the precious object; but these were surrounded by draperies of exquisite silk to prevent all possibility of contamination from exterior sources, even from the gaze of profane eyes. Thus in the solemn semi-darkness of night, to the strains of the oldest and weirdest music on earth, the priestly bearers moved at ritual pace to the temporary shrine where they deposited the sword, to be again the centre of worship for the thousands that yearly go on pilgrimage to the national shrine. Upon completion of the new shrine the sword will be re-enslirined on its new altar by a similar imposing ceremony.