The Shasta courier., 1868-08-15
How to Commit Hari Kari.

Under the date of Hiogo, Japan, March
18th, the correspondent of the New York
Times writes as follows
On the I'd of this month, Mt fifteen min
utes past one O'Clock P. NJ, in one of the
Hiogo temples, Ikeda Ise, the author of the
recent troubles, suffered DEATH He was the
Secretary of Prince Bezen, and gave the
order to fire on the foreigners. The combin-
ed Powers demanded his head, and neither
his own position nor the influence of his
Prince could save him. But be was permit.
ted to commit the hari kari, thus rescuing
his property from confscation, and his name
from dishonor among his countrymen. Up
to the last moment his friends sought his par
don. Each of the six legations sent repre-
sentative as witness, and to this number was
added an interpreter. The closet mystery
shrouded the whole affair, and as few wit
nesses as possible were permitted, in order
to impress the Japanese that the execution
was to satisfy the ends of justice and not
crafty the prurient curiosity. The chosen
ones left the legation during the evening and
walked to Hiogo, where guard of Japanese
soldiers met them and conducted them
through several narrow streets to one of the
larger temples. One of the ante-rooms was
placed at their disposal, and there they in
dulged in pipes and cigars and awaited the
event.
AT few minutes past eleven p. NJ. word
came that all was ready. They arose and
| followed their conductor into the main tenn
pie. Here, in front of the large and elabor-
ately finished altar; was spread green cloth,
and over this smaller red covering. Near
the center stood a tray containing a number
of small knives, corresponding to the sharp,
short sword of the japanese, unsheathed.-
Tho
the mating, after the Japanese fashion, and
the same number of native officials located
themselves opposite. Above them glmmers
ed several Japanese paper lanterns, shedding
over the altar dim and spectral'igh which
lost itself in the mysterious darkness beyond.
With Slow but firm and unfaltering
step, the doomed man entered and approach
ed the altar. He wore the white-winged
State dress indicative of high rank, the "Kars
nj Shino"
Turning toward the dimly outlined images
of his gods, he bowed and muttered a PRAYER.
Then, gathering his feet beneath him, he sat
down, resting on his knees in the usual jap
anese manner, beside the tray. 1t is custom
ary for the individual performing the hdri
kari to complete the act by cutting his own
throat. But this unhappy man; fearing that
at the last moment his resolution might fail,
caused one near of kin to assume the duty of
headsman. The executioner took his position
behind him, sezing the long handle in both
hands. He raised the sword and assumed
the attitude of one about to strike. 1t was
tableau impressive and awful. The long
razor r-edged blade REFLECTED the lantern light
with horrible effect. The executioner's eyes
were fixed with fearful earnestness on the
victim before him, watching eagerly every
notinn ho ad -, bo1, 1,oo lIry
pares his dress and selects sword, grasping
it firmly in his right hand Then, summon
ing all his resolution, he plunges it into his
side and completes transverse incision. At
this moment his head falls forward, and in
simultaneously the poised sword of the heads
man flashed through the air, and the head
fell with a dull sound upon the heavily mat
ted floor.
The seven robed and sworded Japanese Of
fcials bow their heads to the ground, ex.
claiming in a loud voice: " Are you salts.
fed % and the seven Europeans bow their
faces in return. and reply through the inter
prefer, We are satisfied ~ They arise aud
are Immediately conducted away.
This is the famous hari kari allowed to Of
icers of position as an alternative Of disgrace.
The incision saves their honor and their
property, and the cash in the throat termi-
mates tne1r SuHerlngS.
A SECRET which explains the great difficult
ty in the advancement of young married
men, in the majority of instances, is the fact
that mothers-in-law take it for granted that
the ties which bind the daughter by the laws
of matrimony give them carte-bldnche for
boarding. clothing, or, in other words, sup
port free, at the husbands expense. Many
young men, energetic, persevering, and wilt
ing to do, are kept in the back ground in that
way. Many harsh words pass between the
young married couple, when he finds that his
hard-earned dollars 90 into the mouths-yes
even the pockets-of the wife's family; and
they, brought up in idleness, and then ex-
travasance, helped by his hard earnings
ers-" at least this one does''-tbat il il a
duty of the son-in-law to support set of in
dolent relatives, who are fully as able to work
as others.