THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS OF JAPAN HELD THEIR ANNUAL AUTUMN GARDEN PARTY AT THE AKSAKA IMPERIAL GARDEN ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 8TH.). ABOUT 2,000 PEOPLE WERE PRESENT INCLUDING GOVERNMENT LEADERS, MEMBERS OF THE DIET PARLIAMENT AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.

AMONG THE GUESTS WAS MR. YASUNARI KAWABATA, WHO WAS RECENTLY AWARDED THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE.

THE EMPEROR HIROHITO AND THE EMPRESS NAGAKO WHO WAS WEARING A CLASSICAL JAPANESE KIMONO, MOVED AMONG THE GUESTS, SPEAKING TO AS MANY OF THEM AS POSSIBLE. THE CROWN PRINCE AND PRINCESS WERE ALSO PRESENT.

MUSICIANS OF THE IMPERIAL HOUSEHOLD PLAYED GAGAKU, THE IMPERIAL COURT MUSIC INTRODUCED TO JAPAN FROM THE ASIATIC MAINLAND IN THE EARLY 9TH. CENTURY. TODAY THIS MUSIC, FOR FLUTES, HARPS AND DRUMS, IS ONLY PERFORMED AT SPECIAL FESTIVALS.