Word: paulownia
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Japan's grave-faced Emperor Hirohito last week wrapped himself in a silken robe embroidered with the sacred Paulownia blossom and stepped into the innermost sanctuary of the Imperial Palace to worship his mythological ancestress, the Sun Goddess, celebrating the ascension to the throne 2,601 years ago of his lineal ancestor, the great Emperor Jimmu. Aside from the fact, of no great importance, that there is no historical evidence that Jimmu ever existed, there was a striking difference between the two ceremonies 2.601 years apart: whereas Jimmu had given thanks to the Sun Goddess after his conquest...
...Baron Sotokichi Uriu, 80, last surviving Japanese graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy (Class of 1881), campaigner in the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars; in Odawara, Japan. Last week Emperor Hirohito posthumously decorated him with the Grand Cordon of the Imperial Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers...
First the Nation's guest had to have the Order of Merit (1st class) plus the Grand Cordon of the Rising Sun with the gold & silver Medallion of the Rising Sun (with 31 rays) and the Imperial Paulownia Blossom, an affair of precious cloisonné. That was easy. Everything was easy in Tokyo last week for slightly rheumatic Guest Hsieh Kai-shih, snuff-taking Foreign Minister of Japan's new puppet state Manchukuo...
...shih seemed so flabbergasted by the honor done him that Japanese courtiers had to nudge him at the right moments as he made his speech of thanks for recognition of Manchukuo, then received the dazzling Order of Merit, Grand Cordon, Medallion of the Rising Sun and the Imperial Paulownia Blossom...
...matter of routine the "Old Fox" was decorated posthumously by Emperor Hirohito with the Grand Cordon of the Rising Sun and Paulownia. His frail corpse, enclosed in the austere white pine coffin dictated by Japanese custom, lay in the hall of his official residence where he was shot down, while 500 officials, including representatives of all parties, paid their formal respects, pronounced fulsome eulogies. That evening the body was cremated. Next day part of the ashes were sent to Okayama, the rest interred at Tokyo...