Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-26
KU-SUN-GO-B Blu.
How the Ceremonial Destruction
of a Japanese Was Performed.

Baron Suyematsu, in the Nineteenth Century.
Literally hara-kiri is ''belly-cutting.' and
this is the expression in common use. but
kappuku, or more usually seppuku, Is the
word employed by persons of refinement,
the actual meaning, however being the
same as hara-kiri-. Seppuku and kappuku
are expressions coined from Chinese.
Seppuku was not only a mode of self
dispatch, but was prescribed as a form OF
capital punishment for all of samurai rank.
No samurai was ever to be beheaded or
hanged.
Naturally under such conditions the act
of seppuku came to be invested with much
formality, and cases in which the most
elaborate etiquette had to be strictly OBJ
served with those when a datmfo. L.,
feudal baron. or samurai Of particularly
high standing. was called upon by the
proper authorities to dispatch himself in
this way in expiation Of some political Of
tense. A special commissioner was then
sent from the proper quarters to witness the
due execution of the sentence. and kali
shaku-nin was chosen to assist the principal
In Kidding himself of the burden of life:
This person was selected by the condemned
from the circle Of his own immediate rela-
tiveS, friends, or retainers. and the kali
shaku-nin's Office was an honorable one. in
asmuch as he was thereby privileged 10
render a last service to his comrade or
chief
There was always special department
or pavilion prepared in which the ceremony
had to take place: particular dress, de-
signed for use only on these melancholy
occasions. had to be worn: and the dagger
| or short sword. was invariably placed be-
fore the seat of the condemned on clean
white tray raised on legs, termed samoa.
which in the ordinary way Is kind NJ
wooden stand used for keeping sacrifices
offered to the gods. or for some similar
solemn purposes. The actual cutting open
Of the body was not essential. trffiing
incision in q horizontal line six or seven
inches. or rarely in two lines crossing each
other-the more superficial the better, as
ordinarily made. followed by deep cut
in the throat. AS rule. however. imme-
diately after making the incision In the
abdomen the condemned made a slight
movement OF his disengaged left hand.
and stretched his neck forward. as signs
to the kai-shaku-nin to do his office; per-
ceiving which, the latter who stood oy
with his sword ready poised, instantly
struck off his principals head.
In Japan there is no need to speak d.
rectly of either hara-kiri or seppuku. as tine
euphemiSm ku-sun-go-bu Is OFTEN employ
ed literally nine inches and half, which
was the proper length of the dagger 10
DO used on these occasions. The weapon
was ALWAYS wrapped In some sheets OF
pure white paper, only the extreme point
being exposed. and 1t was correct to hold
it. when making an incision. In the right
hand not by the handle, but by the mid
die of the paper-wrapped blade. How to
sit how to bow to the spectators when
about to commence the awful task, how 10
unfold reverently the part of the clothing
which covers the upper part of the boiy,
how to wrap up the dagger, and how TO
make the requisite signal to the kai-shaku-
min. were all matters on which the utmost
nicely was en1odned and were part OF the
Instruction which every samurai was
Obliged to receive from the master of nail
itary ceremonies. Hara-kiri. indeed was
to the samurai a matter involving an APP
palling amount of ceremony.