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JAPAN: Imperial Carrots

1 minute read
TIME

Fortnight ago a strangely ineffective bomb thrown in his direction left His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Hirohito, son of Heaven, untouched (TIME, Jan. 18). But it inflicted slight flesh wounds on the rears of two horses of the Imperial Guard. Into their stables last week came two Imperial grooms carrying two baskets brightly bedecked with the Imperial colors. By curious Japanese signs they tried to explain to the horses that these were a gift from the Emperor. Then they watched the two horses appreciatively devour their eight pounds of Imperial carrots.

Few days later the Emperor bowed before the Kashikodokoro (“Place of Awe”) in the Imperial Palace and informed his ancestress, the Sun Goddess Amaterasu 0-mikami, of his fortunate escape.

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