Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-04-19
A japanese Execution.

THE decapitation of four men at Tobe
(Yokohama), for the crime of stealing
some forty rios, is thus described by an
eyewitness of the scene: The execution
ground was fenced in the form of a cor
raj, and stood amidst fields of waving
barley. In one corner of the inclosure
was mat-shed, and just outside of it an
ominous group of trees-ominous at least
to condemned prisoners, for the fast
decaying skulls which lie around too
plainly tell the tale of that sequestered
! spot. The birds and dogs have been at
work at this offensive burying place, and
have unearthed the remnants of the dead.
The dead hour appointed for the SEN
fenced culprits to eXpiate their crimes,
is seven a. m. But at six numerous
and somewhat motley group of foreigners
and natives assembled. While moving
about the spot, we observed preparations
which have been made for the execution.
A horizontal bar, upon which are four
ominous spikes projecting upward
whereon the heads of the doomed crimi
nails will be bleaching in the sun for two
or three days-stands about two yards
from the fence. Opposite to this are two
holes in the ground, the dimensions of
which are about three feet by one and a
half feet, and some eighteen inches deep.
Besides these the poor wretches will have
to kneel when beheaded, that their heads
may fall into them. Near one of these
holes is white handkerchief on staff
In the hut sit the eXecutioners COM
placently awaiting the arrival of the pro-
cession from the prison. Anxious to
have a chat with the chief heads-man,
man apparently fifty or sixty years of
age, we enter the mat shed and wish them
good morning, which is politely returned,
light cigars and enter into a conversation
regarding the prisoners. We then cas-
ually examine the eXecutiOner's sword,
long two-handled one, and doubtless of
the best steel. Moving outside again, we
observe the increasing concourse anxious
to witness the dying throes of the un-
fortunate men.
But listenl that mournful chant, softly
waited over the fields of grain which
glow in the morning sunshine, betokens
the approach of the sad procession. Near
er and nearer it approaches us, and as its
l sorrowful lay is echoed by the hills and
sappiees around, thrill of pain, of SYM
A pathy, for those on whom another morn
4 will never brighten, is felt by almost every
heart that's there. Now it is within few
yards Three men are carrying as many
boards, held aloft on poles, upon which
, is written declaration of the crime COM
mitted by the culprts; then come three
+ or four more, having poles with cross
. covered with spikes at the top-emblemat-
ical of the prison and justice; then follow
5 a string of officers and attendants, in the
u midst of whom are the prisoners-four
q very young men. Three of them with
d firmness and strength, but the fourth, sick
It and overwhelmed with distress, is being
II carried in kango or basket chair.
h AS they pass through the gate we are
J. somewhat surprised to hear one of them,
as he walks close by us, say, OhdgO gasd-
r nindSi (good morning) and then express
II es his opinion that the terrible death to
which he is doomed would resemble going
> to sleep. The three men (the fourth being
in a state of semiinsensibility) take a
! long, long gaze at surrounding objects,
!" and the attendants proceed to blindfold
le them, their arms haviBg been securely
bound behind them before leaving the
y, Jail. The three men, each in turn, then
le gave utterance to q sort of eXhoTtation
IF and PRAYER. The miserable wretch in the
is kango is now lifted out and placed beside
W the hole on his knees, while two men
stand behind him holding his body-but
al there is nothing to place his head upon,
'g Another takes him by the chin to put his
% head in position, which he succeeds IL
~ ~ doing in minute and half, a delay ter
III ribly agonizing to the victim.
IL The eXecutioner now steps up, and
u, smiling like man about to perform {
a feat of sport, takes aim, and the next mo
ment-with sudden CLEAN of thai
W sheening sword and sickening thud-
nc the head, saturated with blood, rolls int
ip the earth the blood at the same time gush
n, ing from the headless body which lay
re quivering on the ground. The blood
in stained head is Immediately lifted from
"a its receptacle by the hair and presented tt
~ the public gaze with an air of satisfaction
Water is then poured over it, the lifeles
W trunk being covered with straw mats ant
" removed short distance away. AT
ne given signal another is led forth ant
er kneels at the other hole; the same seem
ly of blood is again enacted. The third |
to now brought forward, his slaughter dii
NJ fering from the others only IL the fac
tn that another headsman does the work
he And now the fourth-the man particular
to ly remarkable to his seeming indifference
to the horrible fate which awaited him
on steps up to play his part in the dreadful
"a tragedy. Another aim-another CLEAN
:, of that terrible weapon of death, and tn
n last victim sinks to the earth asleep -
III asleep in death. This scene OF blood
now ended and four human heads ar
upon those ugly spikes bleaching in tn
sun, as a terrible warning to law-breaker'
al But painful as this recital may be, TN
nr Japanese infiict far greater punishmer
70 70 on those guilty of forgery, homicide, etc
nd cruoifxion being quite common.-Sd
~ II.oneiSao JllUofjD