Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-14
HAIR aktRi.
How the Real Operation Is Done 10
Japan.

From the Globe Democrat
Harakiri. peculiar mode Of suicide. in the
eyes Of the nobility OF Japan the most digniicd
and honorable way of all violent deaths, the
only means of restoring honor. revenge being
impossible, has seldom been witnessed by Ea-
ropean or American eyes. As the word ''hara-
kiri" has crept into American politics, writes
Albert de Leur. an explanation of ITS meaning
In Japan may be interesting. aud the reader
can then judge il the adaptation of the word
is allowable.
Dueling lie now and ever has been con-
demned by intelligent japanese rs the uncor-
tainty OF its result considered too hazard
Gus TO the settlement of Its cause. For ages 10
has been the custom in Japan when a Samurai
considered himself insulted by one equal in
rank that the injured party should proceed 20
his home. call together his family and friends,
inform them of the insult suffered at the hands
of his enemy and sot apart a day upon which
he would revenge himself and restore the fam
lily honor, injured by the words or acts of his
opponent, by committing ''hArakiri-"
In the first place = rope over two inches
thick. made out Of the tendrils OF the lotus
flower, was constructed by the unmarried
female members of the family and closely
drawn around the house, IL being the popular
belief that Objectionable spirits would thereby
be prevented from entering during the cers-
mony and carrying away the soul of the suicide.
The chamber IN which the ceremony was "a
take place was hung with yellow silk or crane,
the sunlight carefully excluded the only iliun,i-
nation allowed being that furnished by the
| everlasting light burning in front of the family
god. whose pedestal Was placed about two feet
! from the northern wall OF the chamber A foot
high platform. about three feet long by two
feet broad, was placed in the center OF the
| room, covered with white Grape, and the
kahanna ORDINARY sword of the ster of the
! household laid unscabbarded upon the plat
! form Is mint Wra in a
each corner OF this platform was placed a small
saucer filled with scented oil in which u wicI
was burning.
The family and friends Of the noble TO COM
NIT suicide entered the room led by a priest
the latter bearing in his hands full blooming
lotus flower, which he deposited across ths
| sword lying upon the platform. and the specta-
tors took seats around the room. The noble
| man then entered, dressed in pure white gar
ments with yellow-colored scarf encircliaR
his body, and carrying in his hand lItlle
saucer in which burned wick, lighted previ-
ously from the everlasting light in front Of the
family god.
Behind him came his eldest son. IL over Eve
years OF age-if not, his nearest relative--carry-
ing upon platter made OF sandal wood the
wakizaski, a dagger-like weapon 81 inches long
and obliquely cut on the LEFT side. The blade
OF this lancet-looking weapon was wrapped in
yellow Grape, lotus flower being placed upsn
Its hllt Ii generally was an heirloom OF the
family and was considered the most valuable ar
ticle In Its possession. Ii is the instrument with
! which harakiri always committed. The
1 person to commit this act would then kneel
upon the platform with his face toward the
north and the wakizaski placed before him.
| The priest would take the lotus flower from the
Japanese sword and cut the leaves in pieces,
strewing the same over the kneeling man.
After blessing him in this manner the lights in
| the corner saucers were blown out by the
priest and the light carried by the suicide
i extlnguished by his son or nearest relative
| and the time for the final act had come.
After recounting in a solemn voice the insult
suffered by him from his enemy, he invoked
| the spirit of his ancestors to see in what man.
ner he upheld the family honor intrusted 10
him at his birth, and rising upon his left knee
he would take hold Of the wakizaski with his
left hand, lift up his white robe with his right
hand. wrapping the end Of the yellow sash
| around his left wrist, and deliberately and
very slowly insert the dagger-like knife in TO
| his stomach above the right hip bone and dra w
it across until within four or five inches of his
left hip bone. At the moment he inserted the
| knife his next of kin would take the kahanna
| Ordinary sword) and with a swift blow sever
the head Of the suicide from the trunk.
| In every case of this description. when hara-
kiri was committed in defense of insulted
| honor, the insulting party informed by the
family OF the suicide of the act performed by
sending TO him sort of affidavit Of the next OF
kin OF the deceased written upon yellow paper,
wrapped in the leaves of the lotus flower. and
| If that gentleman would not be considered q
| craven, unit for association with honorable
| men, he, too, would then commit harakiri in a
| somewhat similar manner. The trouble would
thus be settled and no further enmity would
| exist between the families of the parties inter-
ested. noncompliance, however. with this
tlme-honored custom of Japan on the part OF
| the person who gave the insult has never been
heard OF, 1t is said, in that country.