The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-11-09
I" HARA.KIRU."
How Ii Il Performed.

The Japanese hold that death, under any cir
cumstances, is to be preferred to dishonor.-
Whenever the privileged classes go on a journey
they carry witt, them the robes worn and the
knife used at the performance Of hara-kiru-thus
testifying to their readiness at any moment to
die rather than to degrade their families or
themselves White is the mourning color of
Japan. 1t is the only color used at funerals.
Etiquette prescribes that white robe and "har-
akama," or winged official dress, should be worn
when hara-kiru is performed. The disembowel
ing knife is about eight inches in length, and
very sharp.
When the official document authorizing cul-
prit to perform hara-kiru is made out and duly
signed by competent authorities, it is delivered
over to two commissioners, who are directed to
deliver it "to whom it may concern" 1t s)me-
times happens that this is a dangerous duty to
perform. For, if the selected victim is daimio
of sufficient power to defy the tycoon, these mes
sengers are often waylaid and assassinated by
his friends. Hence stratcgems are resorted to in
order to insure the safety of the commissioners
and the delivery of the documents
1t is noteworthy that, if the document is cnco
delivered no matter by what tricks and no mat
ter how powerful the select victim the prince
never thinks of defying the order, because, so
strongly are the Japanese imbUed with respect
for the ancient customs of their country he would
lose caste with his most devoted followers by do
ing so.
When the victim receives his sentence, he gives
notice OF it to his friends and invites them 10
share u parting carouse with him. They come
on the day appointed by the commissioners, and
after the victim has hidden his family farewell
he receives them and they banquet together.
Their host is dressed in white robes. ard is sup
ported by two ministers, who are similarly attir-
ed. When the hour fixed for the hara-kiru ar
rives, the victim takes leave OF his guests as if
nothing unusual was to happen-precisely as he
parts with them on any ordinary occasion-and
then ne retires within screened enclosure in
company with lis two supporters. The retainers
who guard this enclosure are bare-footed as a
mark of respect to DE solemnity of the occasion
and the rank OF the culprit. The commissioners
then read the fatal document. It announces
that, in accordance with the ancient custom of
the country, the daimio is permitted honorably TO
sacrifice himself and thereby to expiate, in his
own person the crime or offence he has committed
against the welfare of the state Opposite to the
two commissioners SITS the victim; one on either
side, at short distance, sits one of his support
crs: while the suite Of the tycoon's messengers
surround them at respectful distances. They
are all clad in their otilcial robes. The suite Of
the commissioners then retire into IN adjoining
compartment OF the enclosure, leaving four per-
sons only to witness the last Scene, exclusive Of
the exccutioner, who i, baryIoy,l1 and armed
with q sword.
Mr Oliphant is responsible Tor the statemcnts
that follow as the final scene
- This notorious method III suicide has, Of late
years. assumed a somewhat modified Iol1n and
no longer consists i'll that IN leaslnt process Of
abdomen-ripping, which must tav1 been almost
as disagreeabie an operation % witness rs 70 per-
form. Ny friend Iigc-no-Alsni ire atol me
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