Hara-kiri - Japanese Ritual Suicide by Jack Seward (1967).pdf

(2261 KB) Pobierz

THE AVERAGE

Westerner, the word

hara-

kiri

conjures up an image of excruciating,

self-inflicted pain; of a deep, fatal incision.

To the Japanese, this kind of suicide em-

bodies the best qualities of courage, honor,

and discipline.

Through extensive research, author Jack

Seward brings to the English-speaking public

a dissertation on the subject that is thorough-

ly enlightening. Fluent in speaking, reading,

and writing Japanese, he was able to glean

information from ancient documents—many

of them scrolls in the Japanese archives—

that few foreigners have seen. The earliest

writings on hara-kiri (known more formally

seppuku)

are thus revealed, as are the

intricate rituals surrounding the ceremony.

"The major purpose of this book," says

the author, "is to clarify the historical and

sociological significance of a unique method

of self-destruction." In fulfilling this purpose,

author Seward has come up with a definitive

work that is sure to arouse interest both as a

scholarly effort and as simple, fascinating

reading.

Cover design by Shigeo Katakura.

Woodblock print of scene from

Kanedehon Chushingura

by Utagawa Toyokuni. Courtesy of Waseda University

Tsubouchi Memorial Theater Museum.

The title and author's name are presented on the

cover in Japanese characters.

HARA-KIRI