The weekly messenger., 1889-07-20
HARA-KIRI.
rHE CHASTITY JAPANESE Pun
ISHNE,NT DESCRIBED.
rbe Death Penalty SciClnfiicted by
a Condemned Officcr-The
Victim COOlIy Di~cm-
bowels Himself.

has been ,.r0ii>hed in Japan for about
twenty-five wears. Prior to that time Il
tIsss of political offenders Of high rank
br title were allowed the choice of the
headsmln', sword or suicide. This was
| concession 10 caste that was meant to
emove the disgrace of an execution at
he hands Ci IN" law. The usual method
bf self -murdcr contemplated by hara-kir
vas for the Vi, Tim to drive long, broad
nd very sharp blade into his abdomen
Ind draw il across his body in manner
hat would discmbowcl him. Instant
Heath was usually the result.
An officer in the army of one of the
eudal Princes was the last person to COM
hit an official hara-kiri. he hated all
oreigncrs with patriotic bitterness. and
Ia hot II adcd outburst of temper one
iay ordered his soldiers to fire on some
EHOpenDS who were crossing the street.
The British ambassador, Sir Harry Parkes,
Tas on the scene and had 4 narrow cs-
ape. whi'c some were killed. The rep
psentatiycs O! the foreign powers de-
handed rno 7!mmary punishment of the
oune Office. The Prince yielded to the
demand az the offender was condemned
b death. iIc chose the alternative of
bara-kiri. Mr. J. 4. II. Waters. a min
ng Cncinccr of Chicago. then living in
Iapan, thus ;e!ls the story Of the execu-
ion:
Representatives Of the foreign powers
Fere invited 20 be present." said Mr..
Waters, and witness the execution.
Through the courtesy of a member of the
British legation | was one of the wit
lesses. The execution took place in
hrge. gloomy, half-lighted Buddhist
emple. The ceremony was conducted
Nth the rigid formality and decorum of
religious rte. On one side sat the
oreigners, pale as ghosts. breathing in
ssps and trembling with excitement.
rhe dim light and dank air gave su-
Pernatural, uncanny thrill to the scene.
opposite were the japanese officials, I'M
linchins as stoicS, as unmoved as statues.
n front on low dais was the con-
remned man. He sat tailor fashion,
>ared to the waist, brawny fellow with
muscular arms, and deep-chested as an
H On a low table near him was
japanese Short-swOrd with blade nine or
en inches long and keen rs a razor. Be
bind him stood his best fricnd-the con-
temned being allowed to select some one
% strike of his head in the event he failed
70 Kill himself and was liable to suffer
Prolonged agony before death came. This
man was apparently the only agitated
patIve In the temple. The muscles of his
lace twitChed He clutched the broad
word nervously with both hands. wait
ng for the moment that should demand
bis services.
THE condemned was the coolest man
present. Through an interpreter he said
le was not sorry for what he had done
or his beloved country. He was proud
give his life for her. He would show
ne coward foreigners how japanese
gentleman could die. As he finished his
peech he picked up the knife. A mo-
nent later he plunged it TO the hilt in the
i' SIDE Of his abdomen. He paused an
u'tant, but 1t seemed an hour to us white
aced' shivering Englishmen, as we held
WI oreaths. Then, with a powerful ef-
or'' he pulled The blade across his BODY,
ne blood gushing from the long cash in
'ofrent. Either from pain or purposely
p leaned his head slightly forward. A
Sish OF the sword behind him and his
a'ad leaped from the body TO the floor in
front Of. him.
Inc japanese had not apparently
"''eo muscle through all this ghastly
'1' A pleasant-voiced dignitary arose
'D sad he hoped he had proved that
apanese justice would be vindicated and |
Aea II the foreign representatives were
''Nned. The British ambassador sim
nOHded an affirmative and the shud-
witnesses of the hara- -kiri hurried
WIN oloodless feature.,,nto the open air