The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1868-06-24
Japal Am Act Of Reparation The Hari-,,
Kari,

|; Kari.
J On the I'd Of this month at l:l5 p.
NJ in one of the Hlogo temples, Ikeda
lSc. the author OF tho recent troubles
suffered death. Hc was tho secretary
Of Prince Bezcn, and gave the order to
hire on the foreigners. The combined
powers demanded his head, and neither
his own position nor the influence of his
prince could save him. But he was
permitted to commit the hari.kari, thus
rcscnng his property from con6scation
and his name from dishonor among his
coun,rymen. Up to he last moment
his friends sought his pardon. Each Of
the six legations sent representative as
witness. and to this number was added
al interpreter. The closest mystery
shrouded The whole affair, and as few
witnesses as possible were permitted, in
order to impress the japanese that the
execution was to satisfy the ends of JUS
lice. and not to CRAFTY purient curiosi.
ty. The chosen ones left the legation
during the evening, and walked to Hio.
60, where guard OF japanese soldiers
met them and conducted them through
several narrow streets to one of the lar.
ger temples One Of the ante-rooms
was placed at their disposal, and there
they indulged 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 temple. Here in front Of the
large and elaborately- y-fnlshed altar, was
spread green cloth, and over tins a
smaller red covering. Near tho centre
stood tray containing a number Of
small knives, corresponding to the sharp,
!, short sword Of the japanese, unsheath-
ed. The seven Europeans sat down in
silence on the mating, after the ia
'panese fashion, and The same number Of
native officials located themselves oppo.
ssite. Above them gllmmcred several
;Jarancse paper lanterns, shedding over
the altar dim and spectral light, which
lost itself IN the mysterious darkness be-
syond. With slow but firm and unfal-
s.ering step the doomed man entered and
approached the altar. He wore the
white winged state dress. indicative Of
| high rank, the Karni.Shino." Turn
hing to the dlmly outlined image OF his
! gods, he bowed and muttered a prayer.
\ Then gathering his feet beneath him, he
ssat down, resting on his kne.e, iii ;!is
susnal Japanese manner, beside the tray.
1T is customary for The individual per.
forming the hari.kari to complete The acl
!, BY cutting his own throat. But this
unhappy man. fearing that at the last
|, moment his resolution might fail, caused
l one near OF kin to assume The duty OF
hcadsman. The excculioner took hls
position behind him, Selling the long
handle in both hands. He raised the
.sword and assumed tho attitude of one
.about to strike. 1t was a tableau i'm.
:pressivo and awful. The long, razor.
;edged blade reflected the lantern light
,with horrid effect. The execu,ioncr's
Ieyes were fixed with fearful earnestness
on the victim before him, watching ea.
fg"rly every motion. The doomed man
me,hodically prepares his dress and se-
lecls sword, grasping it firmly in his
fright hand. Then summoning MI his
resolution, hc p'unges it into his side and
completes traverse incision. AT this
;moment his head falls forward, aud in
simultaneously the poised sword Of the
headsman flashes through the air, and
,thc head tails with dull heavy sound
supon the heavily matted floor.
The seven robed and sworded Japa-
|nese officials how their hsads to the
'ground, cxclaiuing in loud voice, "Are
syou satlsfed?" and the seven Europeans
;bow their faces in return, and reply
through the Interpreter, 1--WE are salts.
l6ed J" They arise, and are immediate.
lily conducted away.
This is the famous hari.kari allowed
Ito officers OF position as an alternative Of
?disgrace, The IncIsion saves their honor
and their property, and tho cash in the
athroat terminates their snfferings. s.-Hto.
sgo March 1917 Cor. N. y. Times.