Honoring the Meji Emperor

Emperor Meji was born on November 3rd 1852. To commerate his birthday the Meji-Shrine in Tokyo celebrates every year a ceremony which follows a strict order. Guests invited to the Ceremony attend a short puricfication ceremony. One is supposed to bow the head during the recital of the words of purification by a priest while a purification wand is passed of the heads.

Several hundred guests are seated around the central court yard in front of the inner complex of the Mejj Shrine awaiting the arrival of Shinto priests.

The ceremony starts with the opening of the inner sanctuary which is not visible to guests as the shrine itself is located inside the temple and slightly elevated. Processions of the Shinto priests start, passing on offering to the inner shrine. During these rituals ancient japanese court music – gakaku -is played. No details are given on these offerings but most likely it will be food, which ordinary people also offer at various locations at Meji Shrine– for example rice dumplings.

Most important is the offering of the present Emperor which is delivered by Imperial Messengers. They are eagerly awaited by the chief Shinto priest.

A message of the Emperor is recited by the Imperial Messenger. He also places a Tamagushi onto a small table in front of the inner sanctuary. A Tamagushi is a branch of a Sakaki tree into which which wishes and prayers are placed. Afterwards the Imperial Messenger leave.

Once the Messengers have left a Shinto dance is performed by shrine maidens. This performance is called Kagura.. ancient court dance with music. It is a very slow performance and lasts for about 15 minutes.

This specific dance is called Yoyogi-no-Mai and it is based on a poem of Emperor Meji which reads

” Inquire into what befalls, through ancient history, and render clear the mazy doubts,that puzzle men today” (meaning developing new ideas based on the study of the past)