With the death of His Imperial Majesty Yoshihito Tenno (TIME, Jan. 3) there began last week the usual sacrifices of loyal subjects in his honor. Hundreds of young girls cut off their hair and burned it ceremoniously in the temples. Stalwart youths pierced veins and painted in blood devout ideographic prayers for the Tenno.* Finally Baron Mansasuke Ikeda, lifelong companion of the Tenno, set up a portrait of the "Heavenly King" in his house near Tokyo, cried, "I followed you in life, I follow you in death," and shot himself. . . .
Meanwhile the respected Rintaro Nishimura, hereditary hearse-maker...
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