Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-11-19
HARA-KIRI IN JAPAN.
ppAcr,cAL OPERATION OF THE
ODD INSTITUTION.
Ct Has Finally Been Abotished' HOW
ever. Except In Case OF Persons
with Cert ain Traditional
Belief.

Ia
practice of suicide among Japanese
noblemen--a practice most deeply
rooted in their ideas OF honor and
faithfulness. says c. Sadakichi Hart
mann in the New York Sun.
The hara-ki was first practiced on
the battle field. If the defeated did
not wish to fall alive into the hands of
the enemy, they thrust their swords
into their mouths or their breast or
cut their own throats. Later tho hara-
kiri became an institution of honor
Whoever knew his cause to be lost
either executed himself with his
sword, or allowed his companions to
do it for him. 1t often happened that
when feudal lord had performed his
self-execution his vassals followed his
example, to show their loyalty beyond
the grave.
NV mother, who was Japanese of
rank, often related to me case of
hara -kiri which took place not SO many
years ago in her own family. The
nobleman, occupying II government
office. had killed his bitterest enemy
and was sentenced to the hnra-kiri II
he had not belonged to the caste OF
warriors they would either have be.
headed him or sentenced him to be
matted to the cross. which would have
brought dishonor on his family. be-
sides resulting in pecuniary disadvant-
ages. The hara- kiri however. at
tached no disbonor to him or his men,
cry. The condemned man was com
mitted to the surveillance OF u noble
man in whose mansion the solemn self
execution was to take place. Day
and hour were appointed and the
witnesses elected by the government
arrived. The condemned man had
him the last service and they con :
scented. ,..--.s..... . -.e.
Subordinutcs called on the prlsoae,
to tell him of the arrival OF the wit
nesses. They brought him robes OF
hemp ON tray. He donned them
quickly and hurried to the reception
room OF the palace. where tho sentence
of death was read to him. The prs
oner listened to it without moving u
feature. Then he retired once more
to his chamber to change his dress for
the last time. Attired in white robes
he was led by "a solemn procession to
the room where the self-eXecution was
to take place. A large piece OF cot
ton cloth was spread on the mats.
1t was already dark and a cands.i-
Drum giving Il faint light Wit, placed
in each corner. Behind two whit.
screens a pail, wash basin censor
tray. and a sword lay hidden. Ac-
cording to prevailing rules the per-
sons present stepped into the semi
dark room and took their places
Then the duties Of the three assist.
ants of the prisoner began. The first
brought him the sword on a short
legged table. the hilt being wrapped
in paper The prisoner received the
weapon with reverence, lifting it with
both hands to his forehead to express
his esteem. Then he laid it back on
the table and bowed to all present.
He lot his upper garments fall down
to the belt and stuffed them firmly
under his knees to prevent him from
falling backward. which is looked on
as a disgrace. Then. while with a
hrm hand he seized the sword and with
u quick movement cut open his stom.
ach. the second assistant who stood
on his left side. with one fierce blow
severed the head from the trunk.
Alter rendering his friend this terrible
service he retired behind the screens.
drew some white paper from his belt
and wiped the weapon. The third as
sistant then grasped the head by the
tuft of hair and presented it to the
principal government witness to show
that justice had been fully satisfied.
This was followed by deep silence.
All present retired quietly. On the
iloor lay the body of the nobleman.
-FOUR servants appeared and carried
away the body and cleaned the room.
The memory OF the noblemau remain
ca nnstained. He had remained loyal
to his rank in death.
In 1869 a private secretary to the
privy council proposed the abolition q,
the hara-kiri thirds of the dem
ties were against the proposition. and
in the speeches held on that occasion
they praised the institution as indis.
pensable to preserve the honor of the
aristocracy. and as spur TO morality
and religion. The man who advanced
the proposition was. as was expected
murdered not long afterward.
vi course all Japanese do not share
the opinion of those deputies. In the
last change of government when the
shotgun. completely defeated, had nc
other alternative than to flee to Yeddo
one of his councillors advised him Tn
have recourse to the hara-kiri "a the
last means OF saving his honor and
that OF his family. The shotgun ridi-
culed tho advice and left the room IN
rage. The faithful councillor retired
to another part of the palace and dis.
omboweled himself in proof of his
earnestness. The shotgun is still living
and enjoys fat income.
so much about the essential charac.
teristics OF the hara-kari. The changes
which this old national custom has I'M
dergone cause the particulars concern