The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-07-17
FROM WASHINGTON TO-DAY.
The Japanese Harl-KarI.

Special DeSpdlch 10 The Evening Telegraph
WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE following is the
letter of Commander Creighton, of the United
States Navy, describing the hari.kari execution
with, ssed by him at Hiogo, Japan:-
United STATES STEAMER ONEIDA, HIoGo,
JAPAN, March IA, 1s6S.-Hon. Gideon WeIles,
Secretary of the United States Navy, Washing
ton, d. C.-SiT:-I have the honor to communi-
cate the particulars of the execution of the
japanese Official, kah Zangutaro, retainer OF
Matsda,ra BlZenDo Kami, who ordered his
tloops 10 fire on the foreigners at THIS place on
the Attn ulumo. This execution was witnessed
by me, at III. request of our Minister-General,
Il. b. Van ValkeDburgh, and Is as folio vs.
| lett the Legation at about nine p. NJ, in
company with the officers attached to the
IoIeIgD legations, and proceeded TO Hiogo,
where we were met by guard, who escorted us
to the Temple, where the execution was to take
place. There was large number of peoole on
each side of the street leading to the Temple,
and quite number of soliiers draW WI up inside
and about the Temple. We we're shown into
room adjoining the japanese officials, where we
were asked IT We wished TO question the person
about TO be executed, 10 which we answered in
the negative; they also took the name of
every official present. After waiting about
halt an hour we were conducted
by the Japal ese officials into what
appeared to be the principal room OF the tenn
pie, which was lighted with candles, and IN
trl mt of the altar was raised platform of about
a foot in height, which extended across the
room, and We we're placed on the right of the
altar within q few feet of where the execution
was TO take place, with the japanese officials
on the LETT. In front of the atar was green
cloth, and in front OF that a led one; we were
informed that the execution would take place
on the red cloth. Seating ourselves upon the
mats on the platform, we waited the execution.
In a few moments the prisoner came in,
dressed In the usual japanese dress OF person
OF 1ank, accompanied by the eXecutoner, who
was his pupil, and most intimate friend. He
walked with a steady, firm step in front of the
altar, where he kBet IN prayer. He then arose
and went to the red cloth, where he kuelt, and
made the confession that "he was the officer
that ordered his troops TO fire upon the foreign
ers and also to fire upon them wnen they we're
trying to escape,n and that he was sorry for
what he had done. He then disrooed b mself to
his waist, and reached out for q kuIle that was
rear him, which he thrust into his DO wells, and
drawing IT toward his right side and leaning
forward at the same time The eXecutioner with
one blow from his sword severed his head from
bis body. This occurred about 1890 p. NJ. Tue
japanese then bowed to the floor, on which we
all did the same. We were then asked If we
were satisfied with what we had witnessed,
when we replied in the affirmative. After the
lapse of few moments we we're informed that
all was over. when we arose and took our de-
paIture. The whole scene was one of great
solemnlty and very Impressive.
Very respectfully, your obedent servant
j. BLAKELY CREIGHTON, Commander.