The Daijo-sai Enthronement of the Japanese Emperor

ritual items enthronement of japanese emperor.

after ritual bath, emperor dressed entirely in white silk dress of shinto priest, special long train. surrounded courtiers, emperor solemnly enters first enclosure , each of these huts in turn , performs same ritual—from 6:30 9:30 pm in first, , in second 12:30 3:30 on same night. mat unrolled before him , rolled again walks, feet never touch ground. special umbrella held on sovereign s head, in shade hangs phoenix carved @ end of pole , prevents defilement of sacred person coming air above him. kneeling on mat situated face grand shrine of ise, emperor makes offering of sacred rice, sake made rice, millet, fish , variety of other foods both land , sea, amaterasu. eats of sacred rice himself, act of divine communion consummates singular unity amaterasu-ōmikami, making him (in shinto tradition) intermediary between amaterasu , japanese people. followed 3 banquets , visit shrines of imperial ancestors.