The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-06-07
SUICIDE BY HARA-KIRi.
Story Of an Eys-witness to tho GbassAy
Japanese Punishment

Btcry OF an Eys-WitDess to tho Gbasuy
Japanese Punishment.
Hara-kiri as legal form OF punish
mcnt has been abolished in Japan for
about twenty-five years. Prior TO that
time class Of political offenders Of
high rank or title were allowed the
choice Of the headsman's sword or sui
eide. This was IA concession 10 caste
that was meant 10 remove the disgrace
Of an execution at the hands OF tho
law. "liara-kiri' signifies "cut-belly"
or, IL the words are arranged as In tho
Japanese term, belly-cut." Tho
usual method Of self murder contem-
plated by hari-kiri was for the victim
10 drive n long, broad and very sharp
blade into his abdomen and draw 1t
across his body In manner that would
discmbowel him. Instant death was
usually the result.
An officer In the army Of one OF tho
fcudal princes was the last person To
commit nm official hara-kirL He hated
all foreigners with patriotic bitter
ness, and In hot-hcaded outburst OF
temper one day ordered his soldiers TO
fire on some European who were
crossing the street. The British Am
bassador, Sir Harry Parkcs, was on tho
scene and had narrow escape, while
some were killed. The representatives
Of the foreign powers demanded tho
summary punishment OF the young
officer. The Prince yielded TO the de-
mand and the offender was condemned
to death. He chose the alternative OF
hara-kiri Mr.. j. A. r. Walters, a
mining engineer OF Chicago, then
living in Japan, thus tells the story OF
the executions:
Representatives OF the foreign pow
crs were invited TO be present." said
Mr.. Waters, "and witness tho execu-
tion. Through the courtesy OF n mem.
bcr OF the British legation | was ono
OF tho witnesses. The execution took
place in n large, gloomy, half-lighted
Buddhist tomple. The ceremony was
conducted with tho rigid formality and
decorum Of n religion rite. On ono
side was the foreigners, pale as ghosts
breathing in gasps and trembling with
excitement. The dim light and danb
airgave n supernatural, uncanny thrill
TO the scono. Opposite W ero the Japa-
nose officials. unflinching rs stoiCs, as
unmoved rs statues. In front on n low
dias was tho condemned man. He sat
tailor-fashion, bare To the waste, a
brawny follow with muscular arms,
and doop-chestcd IA au OK. On n low
table near him was u j apanesc short
sword with blade nine or ten inches
long and keen as "a razor. Behind him
stood his best fricnd-thc condemned
being allowed to select some one to
strike of his hoad in the event he
failed TO kill himself and was liable TO
suircr prolonged agony before death
came. The man was apparently tn,
only agitatcd native In the temple.
Tho muscles OF his face twitched. He
clutchcd the broad sword ncrvously
with both hands, waiting for the mo-
mont that should demand his services.
"Thc condemned was the coolest
man present. Through an interpreter
he said he was not sorry for what he
had done for his beloved country. He
was proud To give his life for her He
would show the coward forci iguors no
Japanese gentleman could die. As
he finished his speech he picked up the
knife. A moment later he plunged IL
to tho hilt in the left side of his abdo-
mon. lie paused an instant. but il
sCcmed an hour To us whitc-facc6.
shivcring Englishmcn, as we held our
brcaths. Then, with powerful effort,
he pulled the blade across his body.
the blood gushing from the long cash
in torrent. Either from pain or pur-
poscly, he loaned his head slightly for
ward A swish Of tho sword behind
him and his head lcapod from the body
to the floor in front of him.
"rhc Japanese had not apparently
moved muscle through all this ghastly
scene. A plcasant-voiccd dignitary
arose and said he hoped he had proved
that Japanese Justice would he vindi-
Gated and asked IL the foreign repro
sentativcs were satisfied. The British
Ambassador simply nodded an afiirma-
tive and the shuddering witnesses Of
the hara. kiri hurried with bloodless
features into the open air.
IL was long haunted by that dread
scono, and ever and anon II would rise
before me-the dark and gloomy tenn
pie. the iAnpassivo Japanese, the awe
stricken foreigners, and, above all, the
faces OF the principal actors, the con-
demncd man and his closest friend; the
one calmly content, even proud to give
up his life. the other crouching behind
him, watching with deadly intensity,
pale and anxious, fearful, perhaps, OF
bungling at the supreme moment IL
looms up clearly before me yet, nj.
though years have gone by. y."-Chicago
News.