Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-07-06
JAPANESE HONOR ANo DISREGARD or LIFE.

leen marked hy the utmost enthusiasm.
JAPANESE HONOR Ana DISREGARD or LIFE.
Two gentlemen Of the court having
met on the staircase Of the Imperial
palace, their sabres ehanced TO strike one
against the other. The one who was 60
ing down considered the circumstances an
affront, although the one who was as
cending, and who was encumbered at the
time with dish for the Emperor's table,
attributed TO accident, adding however,
After all, my sabre is as GOOD as yours
: viii soon show you the difference be-
tween the two replied the first, and
suiting the action 10 the word, he drew
his sabre and applied il with deadly ef-
feet to the eousecrated abdomen. The
other, as soon as be could get up stairs
and perform bis duty to the Emperor,
hurried back TO bis expiring adversary,
and expressing his joy at finding him
still alive, declared that nothing but his
service 10 the Emperor had prevented
his being beforehand with him, and that
he had now come to prove that his sabre
was fully equal 10 his, whereupon be
proceeded to open his bowels of honor,
and was soon a corpse at his fallen en-
emy's side.
The japanese in other cases make
even a nicer point Of honor than this,
and carry the principle Of suicide TO an
extreme which, if the habit should obtain
in this country, would make good many
vacancies in our official stations. and help
US along materially with our favorite
theory Of rotations in Office. All militia
ry men, the servants Of the Emperor,
and persons holding civil offices under
the government, are bound by the rule
Of honor which prevails in Japan, when
ever they have committed any misde-
meauor, to offer their lives as a sacrifice,
and to become their own exeeutioners,
by this favorite process Of ripping them
selves open. They must not do this,
however, until they have received for
NAL order to that effect from the proper
authorities. II they should anticipate
sIch order, their heirs would run the risk
Of being deprived Of their property
and places. Officers Of government are
said 10 be provided, 10 addition 10 their
usual dress, with a particular suit for this
sacrifral occasion. II consists of a
white robe and habit Of ceremony made
Of hempen cloth, and without armorial
bearings. Officials carry these dresses
with them when they travel; but whether
our expected visitors, in view Of any pos
sible emergency, have brought their
winding sheets with them to this coun-
try, can only be learned from the master
= Of the robes attached to the embassy.
A. soon as the order for suicide has
D been duly communicated 70 The culpfit,
Z be invites bis intimate friends to come
b and take leave Of him IN drauehf, the
skai. After drinking and leave taken,
? the condemned man draws his sabre aud
4
u performs the duty Of immolafion in the
i usuai mode in the presence Of his assem-
. bed friends Should the culprit prove a
coward and decline 70 honor his memo-
~ IN this manner, the punishment is IN
= a.cled upon him by the imperial officers
q and ia sneh case bis whole family per-
ir ishes aith him 10 iniamy.
!. This disregard Of death which the
Japanese prefer TO tie slightest disgrace
7 extends 70 the lowest classes and 70 bott
sexes. A gentleman Of Fingo had 4
De Sife q exquisite beauiy, who was tender
OF Is attached 10 him. The Emperor snit
= len by the lady's beauty, caused the hus
band to b. put to death, and ordered ih'
~ widow 70 b. removed 70 the palace. Sh'
- obtained q respite Of thirty days, to de
ld plore the loks Of her husband, yithou
! appearing 70 reject The prodered favor
- of the Emperor At The expiration
the time. she gsye AZ entertainment
r. 70 her frien5s, the monarch him4eif hon
oring il with bis presence. On rislnI
N from sl.e table she sent 10 a lofiy baleonJ
!, aid prets nding 70 look eagerly II som
= distant Object, threw herself from til
30 balcony before tbs face of the Lnperci
a. aod >, osss pat az cad % Der sornos
~ and Der hfs.