DEAD JAPANESE PRINCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17009, 6 April 1923, Page 5

DEAD JAPANESE PRINCE.

BODY LIES IN STATE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, April 6. Curious rites of symbolism are associated with the lying in state of the body of Prince Kitashira Kara (who was recently killed in a motor accident) at the Japanese Embassy. A large number of Japanese who" arc resident in France, and high French officials, have passed before the ebony and lead coffin. In accordance with‘the Shinto rites, a kind of buffet, containing several trays of edibles for the nourishment of the departed Prince, has been placed in front of the coffin. One tray holds a carefully-cooked pheasant, while others contain salt, lice, water, dishes of asparagus, and biscuits, also a large trout, lying on its back with its mouth Avi.do open. In the centre are vases containing beautiful fans, feebly illuminated bv Japanese lanterns. On the floor is a conical laurel tree, a substitute for the Japanese Sakaki bush, whose evergreen leaves symbolise perennial life. Hanging from the branches of this tree are little oblong nieces of paper, on which are inscribed prayers for the dead. Tonight the asparagus, fruit and fish will be removed and burned, being supposedly eaten by the dead man during bis last voyage. The Embassy staff is greatly troubled, owing to the absence on the Continent of a priest who is the special Emissary of Heaven, and who. in accordance with the religions custom of the Imperial Family, should recite prayers and invoke the gods in front of the miniature house near the coffin, during which the soul passes into it.