Year: 1872

CYokohama Letter to the San Francisco


Bulletin.


The decapitation of four men at Tobe
(Yokohamu) for the crime of stealing
some forty rios Cn value about as many
dollars is thus described by an eye wit
ness of the mournful scene: The exc
cution ground was fenced in in the form
of a corral, and stood amidst fields of
waving barley. In one corner Of this
inclusure was mat~shed and Just out
side of it an ominous group of trees
ominous, at least, to condemned prison
ers, for the fast decayng skulls which
lie around too plainly tell the tale of
that sequestered spot. The birds aud
dogs have been at work in this offensive
burying place, and have unearthed those
remnants of the dead. The dread hour
appointed for the sentenced culprits to
expiate their crimes Is Z A. ", and we
find it wants thirty minutes Of that hour
yet But already a numerous and some
what motley group Of foreigners aud
natives are assembled, and some of the
more callous indulge in unseemly con
versation and rude jokes. While moving
about the spot we observe the prepara-
, tions which have been made for the exc
cution. 4 horizontal bar, upon which
are four ominous spikes projecting up
ward-aud whereoD, it is readily sur
missed, the heads of the doomed criminals
will be bleaching IN the sun for two or
/ three days-stands about two yards from
| the fence. near the mat shed on one side
and the gate on the other. Opposite to
this are two holes in the ground, the
dimensions of which are about three
feet by one and 4 half feet and some
eighteen inches deep. Beside these the
poor wretches will have to kneel when
beheaded, that'their heads may fall into
them they also receive their blood
Another then takes him by the chin to
put his head in position, which he sue
ceeds in doing in a minute and half,
delay terribly agonizing to the victim.


THE EXECUTION.


The excutioner now steps up, and smil
ing like a man about to proform feat Of
sport, takes aim, and the next moment
with a sudden CLEAN Of that sheening
sword and sick kening thud-the head,
satured with blood, rolls into earth, the
blood at the same time gushing from the
headless body which lay quivering on
the ground The blood stained head is
Immediately lifted from its receptacle by
the hair, and presented to the public gaze
with an air of satisfaction. Water is
then pored over it, the !ifeless trunk be-
ing covered with straw mats and remov-
ed o short distance away. AT a given
sigu, another is lead forth, and kneels at
the other hole, the same scene of blood
was again enacted. The third is now
brought forward, his slaughter differs
from the others only in the fact that
another headsman does the work
but he fails 10 cut so clearly as did the
old man, the first stroke, of the sword
leaving the head hanging by the neck
quick as thought another stroke is
given and down drops the head. 1t was
noticeable that, on the first stroke of the
sword, the blood spouted from this man 5
neck distance Of three or four yards,
causing few spectators to step quickly
back. And now the fourth-lhe man
particularly remarkable for his seeming
Indifference to the horrible fate which
awited him-steps up to play his part in
this dreadful tragedy. Another aim -
another CLEAN of that terrible weapon of
death, and the last victim sinks to the
earth, "asleep" in death. This scene of
blood is now ended, and four human heads
are upon those ugly spikes; bleaching in
the sun, as terrible warning to law
breakers. But painful as this recital
may be, the japanese iuhict far greater
punishment's on those guilty of forging,
homicide, etc. crucifxiou being quite
common.