to the other persons who are to take part in the execution.  When the second has finished his work, he carries the head to the chief witness, who, after inspecting it, must declare that he has identified it; he then should take his sword, and leave his place.  It is sufficient, however, that the head should be struck off without being carried to the chief witness; in that case, the second receives his instructions beforehand.  On rising, the chief witness should step out with his left foot and turn to the left.  If the ceremony takes place out of doors, the chief witness, wearing his sword and dirk, should sit upon a box; he must wear his hempen dress of ceremony; he may hitch his trousers up slightly; according to his rank, he may wear his full dress—­that is, wings over his full dress.  It is the part of the chief witness to instruct the seconds and others in the duties which they have to perform, and also to preconcert measures in the event of any mishap occurring.

If whilst the various persons to be engaged in the ceremony are rubbing up their military lore, and preparing themselves for the event, any other person should come in, they should immediately turn the conversation.  Persons of the rank of Samurai should be familiar with all the details of the hara-kiri; and to be seen discussing what should be done in case anything went wrong, and so forth, would have an appearance of ignorance.  If, however, an intimate friend should go to the place, rather than have any painful concealment, he may be consulted upon the whole affair.

When the sentence has been read, it is probable that the condemned man will have some last words to say to the chief witness.  It must depend on the nature of what he has to say whether it will be received or not.  If he speaks in a confused or bewildered manner, no attention is paid to it:  his second should lead him away, of his own accord or at a sign from the chief witness.

If the condemned man be a person who has been given in charge to a prince by the Government, the prince after the reading of the sentence should send his retainers to the prisoner with a message to say that the decrees of the Government are not to be eluded, but that if he has any last wishes to express, they are ordered by their lord to receive them.  If the prisoner is a man of high rank, the lord of the palace should go in person to hear his last wishes.

The condemned man should answer in the following way—­

“Sir, I thank you for your careful consideration, but I have nothing that I wish to say.  I am greatly indebted to you for the great kindness which I have received since I have been under your charge.  I beg you to take my respects to your lord and to the gentlemen of your clan who have treated me so well.”  Or he may say, “Sirs, I have nothing to say; yet, since you are so kind as to think of me, I should be obliged if you would deliver such and such a message to such an one.”  This