Year: 1876

\ correspondent OF the Edinburgh Cour-
ant, writing from Toxic, Japan, thus de-
scribes an execution Of which he was wit
ness;


The prisoners were seated 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 fat cut out from the nil. the high
bank on the other side Of the road affording
the spectators good view Of the proceed
ings. The prisoners were blindlOlded on
the road in front of the hill, and were then
brought Up to the raised ground and the
kagos placed down. Refreshments, in the
shape OF fish, omelets, cake and wine, were
then handed by the attendants to the prison
ers, who ali seemed TO partake quite freely.
The prisoners commenced to converse freely
among themselves, calling each other by
name, and exhorting one another TO behave
firmly at the last moment. At the centre
Of the ground was hole about one foot deep
and about one foot in diameter. The first
criminal was led 10 the mat and made TO
kneel The executioner prepared his sword
by pouring water down the edge. The
prisoner body was barred to his waist, and
his arms were held behind his back BY
strong young fellow, who gained more COM
mand over the prisoners body by kneelins
also and pressing his right foot against the
feet Of the prisoner. Another man settled
the bandage afresh over the eyes and ears.
while another drew his neck ont to the ut
most. holding his head over the hole until
all was ready, when he withdrew. slap
on the back, Just below the neck, intended
TO give rigidity to the muscles, was also the
signal for the executioner u perform hlS
task. lie made his bow 10 the officials, and
gave the coup de grace with an ease and GER
tainly that would have excited the envy Of
any sworisman. The instant the sword had
passed through, the man behind the body
pressed the trunk forward into the hole. The
executioner retired with bow. and in an IT.
slant after the'trunk and head streaming with
blood, were conveyed TO a slde-place 10
await their removal by friends. The second
prisoner, when approached, stated he was
ready. and the other two prisoners shouted
TO him .Slikari Ike (be frm). to which he
replied undauntlY. Sis.ari arl q am firml
Ills mode Of treatment vas similar to the
first, but be shouted to the last, telling the
others he was just going, and he was firm,





A new executi0ner Offciatei and advanced
TO the front, and upon the signal being given
he made his bow, and with Il similar dexter
ity 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.
Il am going who replied BE firm 1t
was painful sight u witness this slight boy
led forward to the mat, but his courage
never forsOok him an instant, and he march
ed as steadily as though lie were being led
for an ordinary walk rather than 10 the
edge Of the hole from which he would be
instantly precipitated into the other world.
lie spoke firmly to the finish. The last
prisoner, notwithstanding his brayado, az
peared excited, his face being very red.
When taken from the kago he marched with
peculiar strut, throwing his feet out and
holding himself quite erect. My impression
was that the sake given the prisoners wa
drugged to a.certain extent, and that the
last man beiug Of peculiar temperament.
the wine affected him differently Having
no friends remaining to address hinselt To-.
he sung a song. saying lie would follow the
others, and that be thanked the people for
coming to see him. lie then allowed his
head to be rebandaged. There seemed to be
more than ordinary tiiae IN arranging this
man for the rxecutioueT. The latter tarc-
tionary having to approach before the time,
the old fellow who PREPARED the prisoner :
neck asked him 10 wait. This seemed to
slightly disconcert the exccuti3ner, and III
stead of performing his work with clearness
of stroke, he cut somewhat hign and only
partly severed the head lie hal 10 take a
second cut and afterwards 10 saw upwards