Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-05-29
Japanese Honor and DISREGARD of lite.

Japanese honor ana OlSreg0rd OF Life.
The anecdote related by Us few days ago,
illustrative of the custom of duelling in japan,
was undoubtedly authentic. The essence of du-
elling in that country, as was shown by that an
ecdote. is suicide. That is in reality the essence
of duelling everywhere; but the Japanese are
the only ones who carry the theory out fully, in
to bold and pertinent practice Our duelists
virtually commit suicide by throwing their lives
into each others hands; but they are neverthe-
less very glad to escape the logical and natural
results of their philosophy, by dodging the shot
or the stab which they invite, and seldom find
any difficulty in healing up their wounded honor
without the inaction OF physical injury. Not
SO " tn the more courageous and more consist
ent Japanese. With them dishonor is certain
death and to make assurance sure, they take
their lives with their own unfaltering hands, in
stead OF leaving the issue to the chance shot of
an inexperienced Inarksman, or the trembling
hand of a timid antagonist. With our Washing
ton practitioners, honor is as easily cured as
wounded. A japanese challenge requires that
both parties shall stop their mouths, and stay
their appetites forever, which requisition each
fulfls for himself by the very delicate and sum-
mary operation of making an effsctusl and fatal
hole in his abdominal region. And each strives
to anticipate the other in the tragieal perform
ance.
The anecdote referred to was probably found
ed upon the following incident, for the truth of
which we have the authority of credible
writer on Japan. Two gentlemen of the court
having met on the staircase of the Imperial pal
ace, their sabres chanced to strike one against
the other. The one who was going down con
sldered the circumstance an atfront, although
the one who was ascending, and who was en-
| numbered at the time with dish for the EN-
peror's table, attributed it to accident, adding,
however, after all, my sabre is as good as
yours" II will soon show you the difference
between the two, replied the first, and suiting
the action to the word, he drew his sabre and ap-
piled it with deadly effect to the consecrated ab
domen. The other, as soon as he could 60 up
stairs and perform his dnty to the Emperor,
hurried back to his expiring adversary, and ex-
pressing his JOY at finding him still alive, de
clared that nothing but his service to the EN-
peror had prevented his being beforehand with
him, and that he had now come to prove that
his sabre was fully equal to his. Whereupon be
proceeded to open his bowels of honor, and was
soon corpse at his fallen enemy's side.
The japanese in other cases make even 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 a
good many vacancies in our official stations, and
help US along materially with our favorite theo-
rv of rotation in Office. All military 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 misdemeanor, to
offer their lives as sacrifice, and to become
their own executioners, by this favorite process
of ripping themselves open They must not do
this however, until they have received formal
| - hot ,o<
If they should anticipate such an order, their
heirs would run the risk of being deprived of
their property and places. Officers of govern
ment are said to be provided, in addition to
their usual dress, with particular suit for this
sacrifcia occasion. 1t consists of 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 visitors, 10 view of any possible
emergency, have brought their winding sheets
with them to this country, can only be learned
from the master of the robes attached to the en-
bassy.
As soon as the order for suicide has been duly
communicated to the culprit, he invites his in
innate friends to come and take leave of him in
a draught of saki. After due drinking aud leave
taking, the condemned man draws his sabre and
performs the duty of self inmolation in the
friends. Should culprit prove coward and
decline to honor his memory in this manner, the
punishment is inflicted upon him by the imperial
officers, and in such case his whole family per-
ishes with him in infsmy and dshonor. The
best friends of the culprit sometimes immediate
themselves with hiln and servants actually
make it part of their agreement with their
masters that they shall enjoy this right.
This disregard of death, which the japanese
prefer to the slightest disgrace, extends to the
lowest classes and to both sexes. gentleman
Of Fingo had a wife of exquisite beauty, who
was tenderly attached to him. The Emperor,
smitten by the lady's beauty, caused the husband
to be put to death, and ordered the widow to be
removed to the palace. She obtained respite
of thirty days, to deplore the loss of her husband
without appearing to reject the proffered favors
of the Emperor. At the expiration of the time,
she gave an entertainment to her friends, the
monarch himself honoring it with his presence
On rising from the table she went to a lofty bal
cony, and pretending to look eagerly at some
distant object, threw herself from the balcony
before the face of the Emperor, and at once put
an end to her sorrows and her life.-Boston
Courier.