The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-17
JAPAN.
Ameriean Onlcial Account Of q Hart Kari
f-, Execution.

Americas OMciaI Account Of a Han Kari
r % Execution.
Ge@ fs WASHINGTON, d, c., July l6 1858.
The following letter of Commander Creighton, of
the United States Navy, describes the har kari exc
cution Witnessed by him at Hiogo Japan, Of the
oficer who commanded the troops who fired on the
foreigners. II Ii an oicia American account of the
death scene already fully described in the special
THE orvIoIAL REPORT.
UNITED STATES STEAMER ONIlDA,
HIOGO, Japan, March IA, 1868. !
Hon. GIDEON WELLEs, Secretary OF the United
States Navy, Washington, d. C.;-
tculars Of the execution Of the Japanese offical,
Fati Zanzutaro, retainer OF Matsdaira Bizen No
on 70 on sns
witnessed by me at the request Of Minister Gene
raj, r. b Van valkenburgh, and is as follows
with the officers attached to the foreign legations
and proceeded to Hiogo. where we were met by
guard, who escorted US to the temple where the
There was large number Of people on each side
or the street leading to the temple, and quite
Der OF soldiers drawn up inside and about the tenn
pie. We were shown into q room adjoining the
Japanese officials, where asked II we wished
to question the person about to be executed to which
we answered In the negative; they also took the
names OF every official present
After waiting about half an hour we were con-
Quoted by the Japanese officials into what appeared
to be the principal room Of the temple, which was
lighted with candles, and in front Of the altar was
raised platform Of about foot in height, which
extended across the room, and we were placed on
the right Of the altar, within few feet OF where the
execution was to take place, with the Japanese ON
Gals on the left. In front Of the altar was green
CLOTH and in front OF that red one. We were in
formed that the execution would take place on the
red cloth. Seating ourselves upon the mats on the
In few moments the prisoner came in. dressed IN
the usual Japanese dress, OF person OF rank, &C
cOmpanied by the executiOner, who was his pupil
and most intimate friend. He walked with steady,
firm step in front OF the altar, where he knelt IN
prayer. He then arose and went to the red cloth,
where he knelt and made the confession that che
was the 0fcer that ordered his troops to fre upon
the foreigners and also to fire upon them when they
were trying to escape" and that he was sorry for
what he had done. .ul tlllt rllM ll N-
He then disrobed himself to his waist and reached
out for knife that was near him, which he thrust
into his bowels, and drawing 1t towards his right
side and leaning forward at the same time the exc
cutiOner with one blow from his sword severed his
head from his body. This occurred about halfpas
ten p N. 4 '
The Japanese then bowed to the floor, on which
we all did the same. We were then asked II we were
satisfied with what we had Witnessed when we re
piled in the affirmative. .'
After the lapse Of few moments we were in
formed that all was over, when we arose and tool
our departure. The whole scene was one OF grea
solemnity and very impressive. Very respectfully
''N' j. BLXKEL9 CREIGHTON, Commander.