Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-06-11
HARf-KARI.
a Japanese Acl Of PREPARATION.

Hiogo, japan March 49, Correspondence Of the
New y rk Times.
On the second Of this month, at 1:l5 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 combined powers de-
manded his head, and neither his own DO.
sition nor the influence Of his prince could
save him. But he was permitted to COM
nit the hari-kart, thus rescuing his proper
~ from conhscation and his name from dis
honor among his countrymen. Up TO the
last moment his friends sought his pardon.
Each Of the six legations sent represent
alive as witness, and TO this number was
added an Interpreter. The closest mystery
shrouded the whole affair, and as few wit
nes5es as possible were permitted In order
to impress the japanese that the execution
was TO satisfy the ends Of justice and not to
crafty prurient curiosity. The chosen
ones left the legation during the evening
and walked to HiOgo, where a guard of
japanese soldiers met them and conducted
them through several narrow streets 10 one
OF the largest temples. One Of the ante
rooms was placed at their disposal and there
they INDUCED in pipes and cigars and
awaited the event
Az few minutes past IL p. NJ. word
came that all was ready. They arose and
followed their conductor into the main
temple. Here, 10 front of the large and
deliberately finished altar, was spread a
green cloth, and over this a smaller red
covering. Near the center stood tray
containing a number Of small knives. cor
IN l,a H. r II.
JaDanese, unsheathed. The seven Europe-
ana sat down in silence on the mating,
after the japanese fashion, and the same
number of native officials located them
selves opposite. Above them glimmered
several japanese paper lanterns, shedding
over The altar dim and spectral light,
which lost itself in the mysterious darkness
beyond. With a slow, but firm and I'M
ialtering STEP the doomed man entered and
approached the altar. He wore the white
winged state dress, indicative ofhigh rank,
the "harni-Shino." Turning toward the
dimly outlined image of his gods, bowed
and muttered a prayer. Then gathering his
feet beneath him, he sat down, resting on
his knees, in the usual japanese manner
beside the tray. Ii is customary for the in
dividul performing the hari-kari, to COM
plete the act by cutting his own throat
Bot 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 po-
sition behind him, Selling the long handle in
both hands. He raised the sword and as
sumed the attitude Of one about 10 strike.
IL was a tabieau impressive and awful.
The long-razor edged blade reflected the
lantern light with horrid effect. The ex-
ecutioner's eyes were fixed with fearful
earnestness on the victim before him,
watching eagerly every motion. The
his dress and selects sword,
graspiDg it firmly in his right
hand. Then summoning all his res
doomed man methodically prepares
olution, he plunges il into his side and COM
pletes transverse incision. At this mo-
ment his head falls forward, and instanta-
neously the poised sword of the heads
man flashes through the air, and the
head fails with a dull sound upon the
heavily matted floor.
The seven robed and sworded japanese
officials bow their heads 10 the ground, ex-
claiming in a loud voice Are you salts
fed y and the seven Europeans bow their
faces IN return, and reply, throu gh the in-
terpreter, We are satisfied hey aris6
and are conducted away.
This IA the famous hdyI-bari allowed TO
officers OF position az an alternative ofdig-
grace. The incision saves their honor and
their property, and the cash in the throat
terminates their suherings.