The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1867-11-21

.aE ss ss ssl s
"Hara-K -Kiru''- How It Il Per
formed. A4
The Japanese hold hat death, nm
der any circumstances, is to be pre-
tered to dishonor. Whenever the.
privileged classes 60 on . journey
they carry with them therobes worn
and the knife ased at the performance
Of hava-kiru, thus testifying their
readiness at any moment to die rath-
er than to degrade their families or
themselves. White 10 the only mourn
ing color Of Japan. Il is the only
color used at funerals. Etiquette
yrescribes that q white robe and
ssharakama, J" or winged social dress,
should be worn when hara-kiru is
performed. The disemboweling knife
is about eight inches in length, and
issvery sharp.
When the official document authe-
rixiDg the culprit to perform hara-
kirn is made out, and duly signed by
competent authorities, it is delivered
over to two commissioners, who are
directed to deliver il ITO whom it
may concern. Il sometimes hap
pens that this is q dangerous duty 10
perform. For, il the selected victim
is. daimio Of sufficient power to defy
the tycoon, these messengers are Of
ten waylaid and assassinated by his
friends, Hence stratsgems are re-
sorted to in order to insure the safety
of the commissioners and tho deliv-
cry of tho documtnts. Il
II is noteworthy that ifthe docu.
ment is oncc delivered, no matter by
wnat tricks, and no matter how pow
erfui the select victim, the prince
never thi,.ks of, jefying the order,
because so strongly are the japanese
|imbned with respect for the ancient
customs Of their country, he would
lose cast with his most devoted fol
lowers by doing 20.
When the victim receives bis sen.
tence, be gives notice of it to his
friends, and invites them to share q
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 to.
gether.. Their host is dressed in
white robes, and is supported BY two
Of his ministers or relatives, who are
similarly attired. When the hour
fixed for hara-kirn arrives, the victim
takes leaves Of his guests as If moth.
ing unusual were to happen-pre.
cisely as be parts from them on any
lordinary occasion-and then he ro.
tires within screened inclosure in
company with his two supporters
The retalners, who guard this inclo-
sure are barefooted a. mark Of 70.
spec: to the solemnity Of the occa-
sian and tha a,....k -s.f alss .s.sl, l,As.;4-
The commissioners then read the "a,
| tai document. 1t announces that III
lncccrdance with tho ancient customs
Of the country, the daimio is permit
ted honorably to sacrifice himsclfand
thereby to cxpiate, in hisow person.
the crime or offence he has commit
ted against the welfare OF the State.
Opposite the two commissioners sits
the vict m; on eithes side, at a shor,
distance, sits one of his supporters
while tho suite Of the tycoon's mes.
sengers surround them at rcspe :tful
distances. They arc all clad in their
official robes. The suite Of the COM
missioners then retires into an ad
Joining compartment of the inclosure,
leaving four persons only to witness
the last scene, exclusive Of the cxecu
tioner, who is barefooted, and armed
with sword. 1is
Mr.. Oliphant is responsible for the
statements that follows, as to the e.
nal scene:
"This notorious method Of suicide
has, Of late years, assumed some
what modified form, and no longer
consists in that unpleasant process o'
abdomen-ripping, which must have
been almost as disagreeable an oper
alton to witness as to perform. My
friend Higo-no- -kami presented me
with knife to be used under the Ole
systcm-and exceedingly business
like weapon, obout ten inches long
sharp as 4 razor, and made Of steel ol
the highest temper. Now, thisknifa
is used only TO make q slight incision
significant in the intention to nut au
end to himself. He has collected biz
wifc and family to see how hero car
die; his dearest friend -he who il
our country would have been his
best man at his wedding -stands
lover him with . drawn sword, and
when he commences TO make the
aforesaid incision the sword dcscends
land tie head rolls OF at the feet d
his disconsoiote family.
Il %f4As .-.--..-. -.--- - ..- ~
SMART REroRr. During 4 speech
madc ia Salem, Mass, last Friday
evening, General Butler was frequent.
1iy interrupted BY persons present
while speaking Of negro soldiers and
what they had douc during the war.
During the cyening the general -ac-
cording to the Salem Mercury
lasked 81 hia interiocutors, = Which
would you rather have, q black friend
Tor white ecsmy r" "a yhito en-.
emy," responded some ono 10 the
gallery, evidently stimu 'ated asmuch