Japan emperor´s harvest rite is his 1st communion with gods
(WorldNews Japan)

Tokyo - Japanese Emperor Naruhito performed a secretive and controversial ritual Thursday, a once-in-a-reign event to give thanks for good harvests, pray for the peace and safety of the nation and play host to his family´s ancestral gods. Or at least that´s what experts and officials say. Japan's Emperor Naruhito, center, walks toward Yukiden, one of two main halls of the shrine for Daijosai, or great thanksgiving festival, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Thursday. (Photo: AP) The Daijosai, or great thanksgiving festival, is the most important succession ritual an emperor performs. But it is closed to the public, even as taxpayer money funds it. It has drawn criticism as a throwback...