The union Democrat., 1871-04-29
NUMBER ~.
A scene Of s.ir-Exee.siou.


A correspondent OF the New York EVENING
foa writes an account cf the act OF hari,kari
committed bv Taxi. japanese nohleman.
upon himself, according to the law. He had
been found guilty Of an assault upon Chris
sains at Hdogo, and was compelled to suffer
this punishment
Taxi assembled the low platform with slow
step and determined mein. Here he pros-
trased himself severa! times in succession be-
fore the altar, his face each time touching the
ground, and subsequently, SAT down upon the
carpet with his back turned towards the al
tar, and with his friends, the Haishaku,
seated on the right side. One of the three
Japanese officers now made his appearance,
carrying small table or drmb,waiter, SINH.
lar to those used in the temples upon the oe-
CASTOR ct sacrifice, upon which Law, carefully
wrapped IN in paper. a Japanese dagger,
Admit nine and half inches in length, With
point foe as q needle and edge as keen as a
reZnr.
kneelng down before the platform, he
handed the dagger to the condemned who
revetentiaily took II, and after having lifted
It with both hands above his head. placed IL
on the crimson carpet in front of him. Then
TAXI made deep oheisaace, and in q voice
without tremor. and without falterinc gave
III was |. and alone, that gave the order
to fire upon the foreigners at Kope. without
having received from,any one the authority
to do so. also fired upon them afterwards.
when they tried to escape. Acknowledging
nv great sin and misconduct, | shall now
proceed to cut open my bowels; and beg tho
gentlemen present to do n.e the honor to bear
witness to the execution of the deed
Having said this, he STOPPED down, and
loosenng his clothing let it fall down so that
it exposed his body down to the lo:ns. ITo
took care to tie the sleeves Of his tunic togeth-
er below and behind the knees to prevent his
falling backwards, as a japanese poblemen
must always fall upon bis face, according to
the creed of the nobility Then taking 6p
the dagger and removing the paper covering
he glanced for moment upon the glttering
blade with an expression in his face as il he
were for the last time on earth collecting his
thought and Kidding, in his mind. all that he
loved farewell Then CHANGING up again aud
looking proudly around upon the spectators
he firmly grasped the hit and, buried the steel
in the pit OF the stomach, near the left side,
drew It across the stomach towards the right.
making n fearful cash. But not content
herewith he turned the knife in the wound
and made an incision upwards about two in
cnes IN length. sss
While this horrible deed took place bis
mouth was firmly set, and not a sound was
heard while his eyes seemed to stare at the
ceiling. For a moment, but moment only,
an expression of nnutterable pain and agony
came over his face, and shutting the eves, be
staggered and tumbled forwards. At the
same moment the "Katshaku /" who had been
watching for This opportunity. sprung to bis
faa a ord oil ar;r - -. 4.
cutting sound came through the air, then an
ugly dull blow and a heavy fall; and the
head Of Taxi Zenzaburo was severed from it's
mntilafed trunk. H
The deep and profound stiffness Of death
ensued, interrupted only by the sound of the
blood as it trickled from the headless body
upon the ground below. Every face was pale
with fear and horror it was moment
never to he forgotten, and which / hope /
may never again have occasion to see re-
peated. Ha