Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-05-04
" Hara.Kiri."
A JAPANESE CEREMONIAL EXECUTION DE-
sCRIBED BY AN EYE WITNESS.

A JAPANESE CEREMONIAL EXECUTION DE-
sCRIBED BY AN EYE WITNESS.
The ceremony" according to the or
ders of the Mikado, took place at 10 30 p.
m in the temple of Seigukiyi, where the
troops from Satsuma had their headquar
tiers while stationed in the vicinity of Hi
ogo Each of the foreign legations had
deputed one Of their members to witness
the execution, and we were, all told, seven
foreigners.
We were conducted to the temple by
officers in the service of the Princes of
Satsuma and Koshiu. Upon our arrival
here we were Immediately shown into
room, next to which was another room
for the accommodation of several japanese
of high rank, who were also to be wit
nesses Of the ceremony.
We had to wait long time, and were
then politely requested to accompany the
japanese witnesses into the HOndo" as
the large hall in the centre of the temple
is called, in which the ceremony was to
take place. 1t was a truly imposing scene
that met US here We found ourselves in
very large hall, the high ceiling of
which rested upon number of dark
wooden pillars; large gilt lamps and Ian
terms of grotesque forms were suspended
from the ceiling, intermingled with which
were the curious fantastic ornaments that
form peculiar feature of the temple OF
Buddha the whole floor was covered with
fine white japanese mats, and directly in
front of the altar was a PLATFORM only
three or four inches high, and covered
with a carpet made Of felt Of dark Grim
son color. Tall wax candles were placed
around the walls at certain distances from
nd ha hn1
scene vague and mysterious light, just
enough to enable those present to observe
everything that took place. In the back
ground were the long dark passages lead
ing to other parts of the temple, and, dur
ing the uninterrupted silence, the seven
japanese quietly occupied the places des-
tined for them on the left side of the plat
form, while we foreigners were seated OPP
posite Oh the right side. No one else was
present.
After a delay Of some minutes, passed
amid profound silence, Taxi Zenzaburo
entered dressed in the garb worn on fes-
tive occasions and adorned with those
curious wing shaped ornaments that are
worn by the japanese OILY at very great or
holy ceremonies. He seemed to be a man
of about thirty two tall and of vigorous
build, with a noble countenance, and was
accompanied by the "Kaishaku and
three officers clad in their "ZinbaOri," or
gala uniforms, almost covered with gold
embroideries "Kaishaku means execu-
toner; but this term in japan implies
something very different from here, for
there it always bears reference to gen.
tleman Of high standing; very frequently,
indeed, enc of the most intimate friends
or nearest relatives Of the condemned;
on1 IN rt 70 a frtord lie
considered high honor, and at the same
time deed of love and friendship, which
only one of the nearest and dearest friends
is asked, by the condemned himself, TO
perform upon him, as last mark of love
and esteem. Second, therefore, might
perhaps be better translation, and come
nearer the real meaning of the word
chosen In this instance the Kaishaku"
was one of the pupils Of Taxi ZenZaburo,
selected by him on account of the love he
bore toward him and his great skill in the
use of the sword.
Accompanied by the "Kaishaku on
his left side, Taxi Zenzaburo slowly ap-
preached the Japanese officers, before
which both he and the executioner halted
and made a deep obeisance, after which
they turned around and saluted us in
similar manner, probably even with po-
Eteness yet more marked and distinguished.
These compliments being returned with
an etiquette and decision equal TO the ac-
casion.
Taxi assembled the low platform with
slow step and a determined mein. Here
he Frustrated himself several times in sue
ce6sion before the altar. his face each time
touching the ground, and subsequently sat
down uDOn the carpet with his back turned
toward the altar. and with his friend, the
Kaishsku, seated on his right SIDE One
Of the three japanese officers now made
his appearance, carrying . small table or
dumb waiter, similar TO those used In the
temples upon the occasion Of sacrifices,
upon which lay, carefully wrapped up in