The Press., 1886-02-25
THE HAPPY DESPATCH IN JAPAN.

A gentleman who had travelled exten-
 sively in Japan recently said "Harikari,
 or the 'happy dispatch, is not committed
 by the Japanese on every trivial occasion,
 as many people believe. A Japanese
 does not slaughter himself on the front
 door step if the dinner to which he has
 been invited is cold and the. wines poor,
 as some writers would lead one to suspect. On the contrary, the happy dispatch iaa much esteemed privilege, allowed to the aristocracy only, and only exercised by
 them on special occasions and with great ceremony. You see it is something man can do but once, and not every man that once, so when it is done it is done well. The privilege formerly belonged not only to tbe Daimfos but also to their fighting men, those two ssworded fellows who cor responded in the old Japanese civilization to the sword and buckler men who sur rounded the barons of the middle ages. When Daimio committed harikari 1t was considered the proper thing for his fight ing men to avail themselves of the privi- lege of following his example. When he was defeated on the field of battle he lost caste if he and all his two sworded follow CTS did not immediately perform the 'happy dispatch In these days Japan csc only commits harikari when he has committed some offence the punishment of which is death. Then. he is sent an official letter intimating that it is about time he stepped out. On receipt of the letter he sets his house in order, sends invitations to his friends and performs the required operation.
 A gentleman who was about to avail himself of the privilege of his noble birth sent me an invitation once and went. There was good sized company present and after partaking of Eefrash hnaents in the house we all went out into the garden. Seats were arranged for the company ill semicircle around mat placed close to the walls of the building. Rich screens hid the place from the view of any cnri- ous people who might be lurking in the neighborhood. All being seated the man who was about to die stood on the mat and his best friend with sharp sword in his hand took his place beside him. Then salver on which was the harikari knife was handed to his eldest son, who kneeling on one knee took the knife by the point and presented it to his father. The father knelt on both knees and grasp ing the knife with both hands made 8 large crOss-shaped gash in his abdomen. Not content with this he grasped the point III one hand and the handle Ill the other and pressed it into his throat. Then quick as thought the friends sword flashed in the air and the Daimio was be- headed. The happy dispatch had been consummated. was quite cured of all curiosity to see harikari.
 The man whom saw take his own life in this way was regarded as having put on great many frills, and it is consid- cred quite sufficient if the noble gentle man about to die merely punctures him. salf with flaa haNilrRKi lEniif gKez then per- mits bis head to bs aEen of by his friend The practice undoubtedly originated in that feeling which, even in Europe and America, sometimes induces a man of position and education to commit suicide rather than suffer the ignominy of pub lie execution and the desire which every man has to prove to h1s friends that he can die game"