ABSTRACT
One of the Court calendar events, which is especially-worthy of mention for its literary quality and for its beautifully democratic nature, is the “Outa Gokai Hajime,” or the formal opening of the Imperial Poetry Party for the year. On this occasion the best of the poems presented by the masses, indistinctive of classes, are read in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and the Empress. This ceremony is conducted in January, usually on the 18th or thereabouts.
