Hari-Kari: A Japanese Rite.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIV, Issue 14, 8 April 1905, Page 23

Hari-Kari: A Japanese Rite.

To the Japanese suicide, is the most dignified and honourable of all violent deaths. Where revenge is impossible it is the only means of restoring hon our. Elaborate preparations are made for committing hari-kari. The chain ber in which the ceremony is to taki place is hung with yellow silk or crepe the sunlight carefully excluded, the only illumination allowed being that furnished by the everlasting light burn ing in front of the family god, whose pedestal is placed at a distance of about two feet from the northern wall of the chamber.

A foot high platform about three feet long by two feet broad is placed in preparation in the centre of the room, covered in white crepe, and th< kahanna (ordinary sword) of the master of the household is laid unsheathed upon the platform, its point wrapped in a yellow lily. On each corner of this platform is placed a small saucct filled with scented oil in which a wick is burning. The family and friends of the noble who is to commit suicide en ter, led by the priest, thcvlatter bearing in his hands a full blooming lotm flower, which he deposits across the sword lying upon the platform, and the spectators take seats round th room.

Finally the nobleman enters, dressed in pure white garments, with yellow covered scarf encircling his body, and carrying in his hand a little, saucer iff which burns a wick lighted previouslj from the everlasting light which' ij kept burning in front of the family god. Behind him comes his eldest son, it over five years of age; if not, his near est relative, carrying upon a platter made of sandal wood the wakizaski, a dagger-like weapon nine and a half inches long and obliquely cut on thr left side. The blade of this lancet looking weapon is wrapped in yellow crepe, a lotus Hower being placed upot its hilt.

This sword generally is an heirloon of the family, and is considered th< most valuable article in its possession It is the instrument with which harikari is always committed. The person to commit the act kneels upon the platform with his face towards the north and the wakizaski placed upon him. The priest takes the lotus flower from the Japanese sword and cuts 1 the leaves in pieces, strewing the samr over the kneeling man. After blessing him in this manner the lights iu the corner saucers are blown out by the priest and the light carried by the suicide is extinguished by his son or nearest relative. The time for thr final act has come.

The nobleman, after announcing in a solemn voice the insult offered to him •by his enemy, invokes the spirits ot his ancestors to see in what, mannei he upholds the family honour intrusted to him al his birth. He rises upon his left knee, takes hold of the wakizaski with his left hand, lifts up his white robe with his right hand, wrapping the end of the yellow sash around his left wrist, and deliberately and very slowly inserts the dagger-like knife above the right hip bone. Al the moment he inserts the knife hiu next of kin takes the kahanna (ordinary sword) and with a swift blow severs the head of the suicide from the trunk.