The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-10-13
BEHEADED.
A Quadruple Execution in Japan.

DEnEADEDs
A Ouadruple Execution I'm Japan.
A correspondent of the Edinburgh
Cburant writing from Toxic, Japan, thus
describes an execution of which he was
a witness:
The prisoners were seated in baskets
made of bambo. each bornes on the
shoulders of two strong men. The place
of execution was raised high above the
road, and seemed to be fiat cut out
from the hill, the high bank on the other
side of the road affording the spectators
a good view of the proceedings. The
prisoners were blindfolded on the road
in front of the hill, and were then
brought up to the raised ground and the
kagos placed down. Refreshments, in
the shape of fish, omelets, cake ana wine,
were then handed by the attendants to
fhe prisoners, who all seemed to partake
quite freely. The pr soners commenced
to converse freely among themselves,
calling each other by name, and exhort-
ing one another to behave firmly at the
last moment. At the center of the
ground was hole about one foot deep
and about one foot in diameter. The
first criminal was led to the mat and
made to kneel The executioner pre-
pared his sword by pouring water down
the edge. The prisoners body was
barred down to his waist, and his arms
were held behind his back by strong
young fellow, who gained more com
mand over the prisoners body by kneel-
ing also and pressing his right foot
against the feet of the prisoner. Another
man settled the bandage afresh over the
eyes and ear, while another drew his
neck out to the utmost, holding the head
over the hole until all was ready, when
he withdrew. A slap on the back, just
below the neck, intended to give rigidity
to the muscles, was also the signal for
the executioner to perform his task. He
made his bow to the officials, and gave
the coup de grace with an ease and GER
tainty that would have excited the envy
of any swordsman. The instant the
sword had passed through, the man
behind the body pressed the trunk for
ward into the hole. The executioner re-
tired with bow, and in an instant after
the trunk and head, streaming with
blood, were conveyed to side place to
await their removal by friends. The
second prisoner, when approached, stated
he was ready, and the other two prison
ers shouted to him ,Shikari IKE (be
firm, TO which he replied undauntedly,
Shikari ari q am firm). His mode of
treatment was similar TO the first, but he
shouted to the last, telling the others he
was just going, and that he was firm,
while they repeated the same eXhor-
tati0n. A new eXecut!oner otficiated
ana advanced to the front, and upon the
signal being given he made his bow, aud
with similar dexterity performed his
horrid task. The third prisoner was a
boy, who showed not the least emotion
when informed that his turn had come,
but shouted to the last prisoner. 81 am
going !" who replied, "Be firm" 1t
WAS painful sight TO witness this slight
boy led forward to the mat, but his cour-
age never forsook him au instant, and he
marched as though he were beng led for
an ordinary walk rather than to the edge
OF the hole from which he would be
instantly preclpitated into the other
world. He spoke firmly to the finish.
The last prisoner, Notwithstanding his
biavado, appeared excited, his face being
very red. When taken from the kago he
marched with peculiar strut, throwing
has feet out and holding himself quite
erect My impression was that the sake
given the prisoners was drugged to a
certain extent, and that the last man,
being of a peculiar temperament, the
wine affected him differently. Having
no friends remaining to address himself
to, he sang song, saying he would fol
low the others, and that he thanked the
people for coming to see him. He then
allowed his head to be rebandaged.
There seemed to be more than ordinary
time in arranging this man for the exc
cutioner. This latter functionary having
approached before the time, the old fell
low who prepared the prisoners neck
asked him to wait. This seemed to
slightly discomfort the executioner and,
instead of performing his work with
cleanness of stroke, he cut somewhat
high and only partly severed The head.
He had to take second cut and after
wards to saw upwards.