The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-09-26
T0KTURES IN JAPAN,
METHODS OF EXPORTING CON.
FESSIONS FROM CRIMINALS
A Dark Page in the History of the
Mikado's Kingdom-CunninG
Devices of the Japan
ese Inquisitors.

Since the fall of the dual government
and restoration of the S1ikado as re-.
sponsible ruler, in 1863, Japan has so
! completely entertained the idea OF pro.
gress, seeking the broad sunlight OF
civilization, that one must turn to any
dark or cruel page of her history with
feeling of reluctance. Until recently
one of the lingering relics Of barbarism
was the torture of persons arraigned in
the courts of justice. In 1878 1t was
freely reported that torture was applied
to some of the soldiers of the Takebashi
barracks, hut it may fairly be under.
stood that the mutineers Of Takebashl
were the last to suffer the repulsive pun
ishments; and the very decided expires.
sion of opinion on the part of foreign
officials in Japan fastened the abolition
of the hateful practice at once and for
ever. But the purpose now in view is
to glance at the old criminal law OF
Japan, and to briefly describe some of
the forms of torture employed during ex-
animation of prisoners to provoke them
into confession of their crimes.
The most extreme of revolving cruel
! ties were the various applications OF the
| fire torture, but for the victims some of
them had the one advantage Of more
speedily terminating his terrible suffer-
ings. The accused, with hands and feet
secured, was suspended, head down
ward, in cage made Of green bamboo.
The cage was contrived to slowly re-
volve, the culprit being exposed to the
fierce heat of o charcoal fire, which was
frequently replenished by the execu-
TONERS.
Oftentimes, happily for the wretched
sufferer, the fumes of the charcoal pro-
duced suffocation. Another fire torture
was to compel the prisoner to stand upon
heated grating or grid, beneath which
fire was constantly kept burning. He
was unable to leave the small enclosure,
being quite surrounded by strong rail-
ing. Lighted charcoal placed in the in
terror of o metal funnel was another
description of fire torture. The tube,
containing the lighted charcoal, was Sc
curely bound in the grasp of the pris-
oner, and he was forced by the atten-
dants to walk quickly about, exposing
the broad end of the tube to the wind,
thereby accelerating the heat and in
creasing his own sufferings. Another
agonizing torture was produced by the
application of boiling oil to the body Of
the victim, and it was torture applied
in so many ways that only sickening de-
tails of devices to intensity human
suffering could picture, if that were pos
sible, its extent and variety.
The store torture was usually tho first
cruelty practiced upon a prisoner. He
was forced to- PROSTATE himself, face
downward, upon the apexes of five
triangular shaped blocks of hard wood,
the front of his legs being exposed to
the sharp edges. While securely held
in this position heavy stones were placed
on the victims thighs and Others were
slowly added-to increase the terrible
weight-until he became unconscious or
signified his intention to confess.
The box torture was still more
atrocious contrivance. Bound hand and
foot, the culprit was forced into strong
box, about two feet square, having a
covering made to fit the inside, and
capable of being lowered or raised at
will. Heavy weights were placed upon
it. and as these were increased in num-
ber, depressing the lid, the poor wretch
within the box was slowly crushed to
death.
In using the water torture it was be-
lieved that the torment of thirst would
induce prisoner to confess his guilt.
After several days subsistence on salt
diet without rice and water, the accused
was shut in q room where he could see
and hear the dropping of water on all
sides. but out of his reach. The cravings
and sutferings became fearful under the
agony, often approaching the bounds OF
insanity.
Deprivation of sleep was effected by
placing the criminal upon bed. or mat,
over which q small stream of water was
continually flowing. Attendants were
in readiness, and ct the slightest indica-
ton of slumber they would rouse their
victim by ringing bells, beating. drums,
or the application of fire to his body.
The treatment rendered sleep impossible,
the poor wretch's mind became dis
ordered under the torture and ottentlmes
left him raving maniac.
The old style of trial in Japan in
cluded only about four persons--the
Judge, the secretary, the torturer and the
accused. The latter was taken into the
examination room securely bound, and
was forced to kneel during the investl-
cation of his case. If he persisted in re-
naming mute, or appeared to equivocatee
in his reply to the questions addressed
to him, the Investigation whip" was
used smartly-an instrument capable Of
inAicting great punishment, made of
three long strips of bamboo cane.
Should he continue stubborn a mu2h
heavier whip was applied, the torturer
repeating the blows until the prisoner
either Welded or tainted under the terri
BILE infiction. But no fatal injuries were
permitted to be inflicted during these
preliminary Investigations, and Judge
causing the application of torture to in
nocent persons. or to those of very ad-
yanced or tender years, was himself Ii
able to severe punishment.
Such were some of the inhuman meth
ods of torturing prisons in Japan prac-
ticed certainly within score of years
and less-and not few of the death
sentences described, exceptin 6 the most
atrocious tortures, the present writer has
actually witnessed.-MancheSter Guar
dian.
A Freak of Lightning.
The Vicar of DIidgham, Reading,
England, is voucher for story about
man recently in his employ. The man