The beheading of the accomplices of the murderers of two British officers in Japan, 1864. Wood engraving after C. Wirgman, 1865.

Major Baldwin and Lieutenant Bird were murdered by Shimazu-Seiji while riding from Yokohama to the Kamakura Daibutsu. The accomplices shown here being beheaded were Kamachi Gempachi and Inaba Ushijiro

"Execution of two of the murderers of the British officers in Japan. Our special artist and correspondent at Yokohama has sent us the sketch we have engraved of the scene at the execution of two Japanese supposed to have been accomplices in the murder of Major Baldwin and Lieutenant Bird. His letter, dated Dec. 17, describes the affair as follows :- "Yesterday, at one o'clock, Consul Vyse, accompanied by several members of the Legation, came to me and told me to put paper and a pencil in my pocket, to mount my horse and follow him, to see the execution of two Japanese connected with the murder of Major Baldwin and Lieutenant Bird. After half an hour's ride, we arrived at the place of execution, outside of which were about one hundred horses, belonging to officers and merchants of Yokohama, who had already assembled inside the inclosure. We dismounted, and walked through the large wooden gateway. We were shown into a courtyard surrounded by the usual palisade, where numerous spectators were waiting, smoking and talking. In the court were two oblong holes, and near these holes was a matting of straw for the victims to kneel upon, the holes being intended to receive their heads; on the right side of the holes were two buckets of water and ladles. Several Yakunis were walking about and talking with some of the officers of the Legation. After waiting more than an hour, we heard the judges reading the judgment to the prisoners, who, when the lecture was over, gave a most unearthly yell, which, accompanied by shuffling of feet, caused the Europeans to fancy that the prisoners had broken loose, and for a moment there was quite a panic. However, the Japanese interpreters explained to us the reason, and all was quiet again. The first prisoner's eyes were then blindfolded and his arms firmly bound by cords. He was led in by four men, and he knelt on the straw with his head over the hole. Four men held him, though he appeared as cool as possible, never moving a muscle. The executioner, who appared delighted with his occupation, had a sword with a bamboo scabbard handed to him. He dipped his hands in water and wound a piece of white cotton round the hilt. He then took off the scabbard and placed himself in position. The four men who were holding the prisoner now bared his shoulders. I confess that I felt sick at all these preparations, and while the executioner made several feints I turned my head away; but I heard a dull thud and looked round, and where the man had before been kneeling a headless trunk lay bleeding. The executioner had severed the man's head with one masterly blow, and as easily as one would cut a carrot. The man's head fell into the hole; water was thrown upon it, and the next victim was then carried in, for he, being wounded by several sword cuts, one in the leg, was unable to walk. He was not so steady as the other, and asked the executioner several times if it was not yet time (madaga?). His head went off at one blow, like the other. The heads were washed and put into mat bags. As you may believe, I was glad to get away. In making the sketch I have chosen the moment when there was nothing to shock the spectators. These two men, it seems, were friends of the murderers, and had avowed their intention to kill some foreigners. They had left their province in company with the other two. After the murder they were traced to the Hakoni Mountains, where they were captured; but the elder one fought with his captors, which accounts,for the sword cuts that he had received. It is said that they have given some clue as to where the actual murderers may be discovered; and it is very probable that the other two will also be brought to justice. This is the first time since Japan has been opened to us that any natives have been executed in consequence of misdeeds against foreigners. At all events, it is a sign that the Tycoon's Government is desirous of continuing friendly relations with foreigners."— Illustrated London news, op. cit. p. 193

[London] : [Illustrated London news], 1865.

1 print : wood engraving ; image and text 23.8 x 34.5 cm

Execution of two of the murderers of the British officers in Japan. From a sketch by our special artist.

Wirgman, the special artist of the Illustrated London news in Yokohama, had breakfasted with Major Baldwin and Lieutenant Bird on the day of their murders, 21 November 1864

Wellcome Collection 580192i