Year: 1871

A japanese correspondent describes


case of hari-kari, which he witnessed


The victim ascended the low platform


with slow step and a determined


mien. Here he prostrated himsel


several times in succession before tn,


altar, his face each time touching th'


ground, and subsequently sat down up


on the carpet with his back turned to


wards the altar, and with his friend, tn,


Kaishaku, seated ON his right side. On,


of the three japanese officers now mad,


his appearance, carrying small table ol


dumb waiter similar to those used in


the temples upon the occasion Of sac


ritices, upon which there lay, carefully


wrapped up in paper, japanese dagger,
about nine and half inches in length,
with point as fine as "a needle and an
edge rs keen rs q razor.


Kneeling down before the platform,


he handed the dagger to tlo condemned,


who reverentially took it, and after having
lifted il with both hands above his head
placed 1t on the crimson carpet in front
of lin. Then Taxi made deep obei.
sance, and in voice without tremor,
and without faltering, gave utterance t.
the following words in Japanese IT
was |, and ] alone, that gave the order
to fire upon the foreigners at Kobe,
without having received from any one
the authority to do go. also fired up
on them afterwards, when they tried to
escape. Acknowledging my great sin
and misconduct, shall now proceed to
cut open my bowels and beg the gen
tlemen present to do me the honor to
bear witness 10 the execution of the
deed. "


Having said this, he stopped down,
and looseniug his clothing, let it fall
to the loins. He took care to tie the
sleeves of his tunic together below and
behind the knees, to prevent his falling
backwards, as japanese nobeman
must always fall upon his face, accord
ing to the creed of the nobility. Then
taking up the dagger and removing the
paper covering, he glanced for mo-
ment upon the glittering blade with an
expression in his face as if he were for
the last time on earth collecting his
thoughts and bidding. in his mind, all
that he loved, farewell Then glancing
up again and looking proudly round up
on the spectators, he firmly grasped the
hilt and, burying the steel in the pit
of the stomach, near the left side, drew
it across the stomach towards the right
making fearful CASH But not content
herewith, he turned the knife in the
wound and made an incision upwards
,bout two inches in length.


While this horrible deed took place,
MS mouth was firmly set, and not sound
vas heard, while his eyes seemed to stare
It the ceiling. For moment, but
moment only, an expression OF unuttera-
Die pain and agony came over his face,
md, shutting the eyes, he staggered and
nmbled forwards. At the same moment
ne y haisliaku, VINO nad been watch
ng Tor his opportunity, sprung to his
eet sword glittering in his hands,
harp cutting sound came through the
ir, then an ugly dull blow and heavy
all and the head of Taxi Zenzaburo |
vas severed from its mutilated trunk.


The deep and profound stiffness of
leath ensued, interrupted only by the
ouhd of the blood as it trickled from
he headless body upon the ground be-
ow. Every face was pale W.T.. fear and
orror it was moment never to be
orgotten, and which / hope | may never
gain have occasion to see repeated.