Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-03-23
Alexandria Gazette
VIRGINIA \ a ID Z L r TT S F. T,
For tho COuntry.)

THE HARI-kARI IN JAPAN.-A correspon-
dent of the New York Evening Post writes an
account of the act Of IIari-Kar committed by
Taxi, Japanese noblcman, upon himself ac
coriing to the law He had been found guilty
of an assault upon Christians at Hiogo, and
was compelled to suffer this punishment The
writer says:
Taxi ascended the low platform with slow
step aud determined mien. Here he proStrat-
cd himself several times in succession before
the altar, his face each time touching the
ground, and subsequently sat down upon the
carpet with his back turned towards the altar.
and with his friend, the KaShaku, seated
on his right side. One of the three japanese
officers now made his appearance carrying Il
small table or dumb waiter, similar to those
used in the temples upon the occasion of sacri
fees, upon which lay, CAREFUL ly wrapped up i'll
paper, Japanese dagger, about nine and i
half inches in length, with i point fine rs Il
needle and an edg is keen asa razor;
kneeling down before the platform, he hand
cd the dagger to the condemned, who reveren
italy took it, and after having lifted it with
both h3nds above his head placed it Oh the
crimson carpet in front Of him. Then Taxi
made deep obelsance, and in Il voice without
u tremor, and without tatcring, gave utter
ance to the following words in Japanese 1T
was l, and alone, that gave the order to fire
upon the foreigners at Kobe without having
received from any one the authority to do So
| also fired upon them afterwards, when they
tried to escape. Acknowledging my great sin
and MISCONDUCT Il shall now proceed to cut
open my bowels and beg the gentlemen pre-
sent to do me the honor to bear witness to the
execution of the deed -
I.+1,, H., i
ening his clothing let it fall down 50 that it cx
posed his body down to the loirs He took
care to tie the sleeves Of his tlnic together be-
low and behind the knees, to prevent his fall
ing backwards, as a Japanese noblcman must
always fall upon his face, according to the
creed of the nobility Then taking up the
dagger and removing the paper covering he
glanced for a moment upon the glittering blade
with an expression in his face us if he were for
the last time on earth collecting his thoughts
and bidding, in his mind, all that he loved
farewell. Then glanclng up again and looking
proudly round upon the spectators he firmly
grasped the hilt and, burying the steel in the
nit of the stomach near the left side, drew it
across the stomach towards the right, making
4 fearful CASH But not content herewith he
turned the knife in the wound and made an in
cision upwards about two inches in length.
While this horrible deed took place his
mouth was firmly set and not sound was
heard, while his eyes seemed to stare ut the
ceiling. For a moment, sbut Il moment only,
an expression of unuttcr,blc pain and agony
came over his face, and, shutting the eyes, he
staggered and tumblcd forward At the same
moment the sKashaku, who had been watch
ing for this opportunity, sprung to his feet; L
sword gIittered in his hands, a sharp cutting
sound came through the air, then an ugly dull
blow and heavy fall and the head of Taxi
Zenzaburo was severed from its mutiated
trunk,
The deep and profound stiffness Of death en-
sued, interrupted only by the sound Of the
blood as it tricklcd from the headless body
upon the ground below. Every face was pale
to be forgotten, and which hope may never
again have occasion to see repeated.