Year: 1876

A correspondent of the Edinburgh Courdnt, writing from Tokio, Japan, thus describes an execution of which he was witness: The prisoners were seat ed in baskets made of bamboo, each borne on the shoulders of two strong men. The place of execution was raised high above the road, and seemed to be fiat cut out from the hill, the high bank on the other side of the road af- fording the spectat DTS 0 good view of the proceedings. The prisoners were blindfolded on the road ip frout of the hill, and were then brought up to the raised ground and the lagos placed down. Refreshments in the shape of fish, omelets, cake and wine, were then handed by the attendants to the prison CTS, who all seemed to partake quite freely. The prisoners commenced to converse freely among themselves, call ing each other by name, and exhorting one another to behave firmly at the last moment. At the center of the ground was a hole about one foot deep, and about one foot in diameter. The first criminal was led to the mat and made to kneel. The executioner prepared his sword by pouring water down the edge. The prisoners body was bare down to the waist, and his arms were held be- hind his back by D strong young fellow, who gained more comm4nd over the prisoners body by kneeling also and pressing his right foot against the feet of the prisoner. Another man settled the bandage afresh ove> the eyes and ears, while another drew his neck out to the utmost, holding the head over the hole until all was ready, when he with drew. A slap on the back, just below the neck, intended to give rigidity to. the muscles, was also the signal for the executioner to perform his task. He l4ade his bow to the officials, and gave the coup de grace with an ease and cer- talnty that would have excited the envy of any swordsman. The instant the sword had passed through, the man be- hind the body pressed the trunk forward into tbe hole. The executioner retired with bow, and in an instant after the trunk and head, streaming with blood, were conveyed to side place to await their removal by friends. The second prisoner, when approached, stated he was ready, and the other two prisoners shouted to him to be firm, to which he replied, undauntedly: "I am firm" His node of treatment was similar to the first, but he shouted to the last, telling the others he was just going, and that he was firm, while they repeated the same exhortation. A new execution CT oficiated and advanced to the front, and upon the signal being given he made his bow, and with 8 similar dex- terity performed his horrid task. The third prisoner was boy, who showed not the least emotion when informed that his turn had come, but shouted to the last prisoner: "I am go;ng!" who replied: 'sBe firm" It was a rainful sight to witness this slight boy led for ward to the mat, but his courage never forsook him an instant, and he marched as steadily as though he were being led for an ordinary walk rather than to the edge of the hole from which he woi1ld be instantly precipitated into the other world. He spoke firmly to the finish. The last prisoner, notwithstanding his bravado, appeared excited, his face be- ing very red. When taken from the kago he marched with peculiar strut, throwing his feet out and holding him. self quite erect. My impression was that the sake given the prisoners was drugged to 8 certain extent, and that the last man, being of 8 peculiar temperament, the wine affected him differently. Hav- ing no friends remaining to address himself to, he sung song, saying he would follow the others, and that he thanked the people for coming to see him. He then allowed his head to be rebandaged. There seemed to be more than ordinary time in arranging this man for the executioner. The latter functionary having approached before the time, the old fellow who prepared the prisoners neck asked him to wait. This seemed to slightly disconcert the executioner, and instead of performing his work with cleanness of stroke, he cut somewhat high, and only partly sev- cred the head. He had to take second cut, and afterward to saw upwards.