Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-08-15
HARAKIRI.
How the Japanese Operation f. Performed
In the Empire of the MiIxado.

In the eyes OF the nODlllty OF Japan
the most dignifed and honorable way
of all violent deaths, the only means Of
restoring honor, revenge being impos-
sible-has seldom been witnessed by
European or American eyes. AS the
word "harakiri" has crept into Amer
lean politics, writes Albert de Leur, an
explanation of its meaning in Japan
may be interesting and the reader can
then judge if the adoption of the word
is allowable.
Dueling is now and ever has been
condemned by intelligent japanese, as
the uncertainty of its results was con-
sidered too hazardous to the settlement
of its cause. For ages it has been the
custom in Japan when samural con-
sidered himself insulted by one equal
in rank that the injured party should
proceed to his home, call together his
family and friends, inform them of the
insult suffered at the hands of his
enemy, and set apart day upon which
he would revenge himself and restore
the family honor, injured by the words
or acts of his opponent, by committing
"harakiri."
In the first place a 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 tho
house, it being the popular belief that
Objectionable spirits would thereby be
prevented from entering during the
ceremony and carrying away the soul
of the suicide. The chamber in which
the ceremony was to take place was
hung with yellow silk or Grape, tho
sunlight carefully excluded, the only
illumination allowed being that furn-
ished 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 3 feet long
by feet broad, was placed in the CEN
ter of the room, covered with whito
Grape, and the kahanna Ordinary
sword) of the master of the household
laid unscabbared upon the platform,
its point wrapped in a yellow Hill. On
each corner of this platform was placed
small saucer filled with scented oil
in which wick was burning.
The family and friends of the noble
about to commit suicide entered the
room led by priest, the latter bearing in
his hands full bloominglotus flower
which he deposited across the sword
ling upon the platform, and the spec
tators took seats around the room.
The nobleman then entered, dressed in
pure white garments with yellow
cGlored scarf encircling his body and
carrying in his hand n little saucer
from the everlasting light in front Of
the family god.
Behind him came his eldest son, If
over years of age-if not his nearest
relative-carrying upon platter made
of sandal wood the wakiZaski,a dagger
like weapon nine and one-half inches
long and cut on the left side. The
blade of the lancet-looking weapon was
wrapped in yellow Grape, lotus flower
being placed upon its hilt. 1t general
" was an heirloom of the family and
considered the most valuable article in
its possession. 1t is the instrument
with which harakiri was always COM
mitted. The person to commit this act
would then kneel upon the platform
with his face toward the north and the
wakizask placed before him. The
priest would take the lotus flower from
the japanese sword and cut the leaves
in pieces, strewing the same over tho
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 ex-
tinguished by his son or nearest rela-
tive and the time for the final act had
come.
After recounting in solemn voice
the insult suffered by him from his
enemy he invoked the spirit of his an
cestors to see in what manner he up
held the family honor intrusted to him
ut his birth, and rising upon his left
knee he would take hold OF the wakiz-
ask 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-li e knife into his
body above the right hip bone and
draw 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 katana Ordinary
sword) and with swift blow sever the
head of the suicide from the trunk. In
| CNClN CdSC vi lHlS WnCH
harakiri was committed in defense Of
insulted honor, the insulting party was
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 pa
per in the leaves of the lotus flower, and
If that gentleman would not be consid-
cred craven, unfit for association
with honorable men, he, too. would
then commit harakiri in somewhat
similar manner The trouble would
thus be settled and no further enmity
would exist between the families of tho
parties interested. A noncompliance,
however, with this time-honored Gus
tom of Japan on the part of the person
who gave the insult has never been
heard Of, it is said, in that country.