The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-10-31
HARA-KIRI IN JAPAN.
PRACTICAL OPERATION OF THE
ODD INSTITUTION.
a. rIss Iiaaiiy Besa Abo'i.hed. How
ever Except la Case az Person.
vvhh Certain Tradi. ionai
BELLE.

kiri. or haro- kiri. is the solemn
practice OF suicide among Japanese
noblemen--a practice most deeply
rooted in their ideas OF honor and
falthfulness. says G. Sadakichl Hart
mann In the New York Sun.
The hara-kiri was first practIced on
the battle field II the defeated did
not wish 10 fall alive into the hands OF
the enemy. they thrust their swords
into their mouths or their breast o.
cut their own throats- Later the hara-
kiri became an institution OF honor.
Whoever knew his cause TO DO lost
either executed himself with his
sword. or allowed his companions 10
do IL for him IL often happened that
when feudal lord had performed his
self-exocution his vassals followed his
example, TO show their loyalty beyond
the grave.
My mother who was q Japanese OF
rank. often related 10 me case OF
hara-ki which took place not so many
years ago in her own family. Tho
nobleman. occupying government
oflce. had killed his bitterest enemy
and was sentenced TO the hara-kiri. IN
he had not belonged to the caste OF
warriors they would either have be-
headed him or sentenced him TO DO
nailed TO the cross which would have
brought dishonor on his family. boz
sides resulting in pecuniary disadvant-
ages. The hara-kiri. however. at
tached no disbonor TO him or his men,
DRY. Tho condemned man was COM
mitted 10 the surveillance Of 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
begged three OF his friends 10 render
him the last service and they con-
scented.
Subordinates called on the prisoner
TO tell him OF the arrival OF the wit
nesses. They brought him robes Of
hemp on n tray. He donncd them
quickly and hurried 10 tho reception
room OF the palace. where the sentence
OF death was read to him. The pris-
oner listened 20 1t without moving q
feature. Then no retired once more
TO his chamber TO change his dress for
| the last time Attired in white robes
he was led by solemn procession 10
the room whore the scli-execution was
to take place. A large piece OF cot
ton cloth was spread on the mats.
IL was already dark. and q Candida
Drum giving a faint light was placed
in each corner. Behind two white
screens pail, wash basin. censor.
tray. and 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 short.
legged table the hilt being wrapped
In paper. The prisoner received the
weapon with reverence. lifting IL with
both hands TO his forehead TO express
his esteem. Then he laid IL back on
tho table and bowed 10 all prosent
lie let his upper garments fall down
TO the belt and stuffed them firmly
|
falling backward, which Is looked on
rs disgrace. Then. while with q
firm hand he seized the sword and with
n quick movement cut open his stom.
ach. tho second assistant who stood
on his left side, with one fierce blow
severed the head from tho trunk.
After rendering his friend this terrible
service no retired behind the screens.
drew some white paper from his belt
and wiped the weapon. The third as.
sistant then grasped tho head by the
tuft OF hair and presented II 10 the
principal government witness TO show
that justice had been fully satisfied.
This was followed by deep silence.
All present retired quietly. On the
floor lay the body OF the nobleman.
Four servants appeared and carried
away the body and cleaned the room.
The memory of the nobleman remain
cd unstained. He had remained loya
10 his rank In death.
In 1869 n private s,cretary TO thu
4 privy council PROPOSED the abolition o.
the hara-kiri Two-thirds OF the depu
ties were against the proposition. anC
in the speeches held on that occasion
they praised the institution as indis
pensablo 10 preserve the honor OF tn,
aristocrscy. and as spur TO moralit,
and religion. The man who advanced
the proposition was. as was expected
murdered not long afterward.
OF course all Japanese do not share
the opinion OF those deputies. In thu
last change OF government when Vi,
shotgun. completely defeated. had M
other alternative than TO fee TO Yeddo.
one OF his councillors advised him Il
have recourse TO the hara-kiri as thu
last means OF saving his honor anC
that OF his family. Tho shotgun ridi
culed tho advice and left the room II
rage The faithful councillor retired
to another part OF the palace and dis
! emboweled himself In proof OF hii
earnestness. The shotgun Is still living
and enjoys fat income
SO much about the essential charac
teristlcs OF the hara-k kari The changed
which this old national custom has un
J dergone cause the particulars concern
ing IL 70 DO somewhat contradictory
BY the introduction OF now code o
laws the hsra-kiri has been abolished
and only noblemen who still believe II
the traditional code OF honor OF thei
ancestors may select IL as a mode o
death.