Yosha Bunko

Chōya shinbun
No. 1371a
Meiji 11-3-18 (1878-3-18) (otodoke)
Wife kills drunk husband

Story in brief

Kawakami Shōsuke, who lived in Kasaoka-machi in the province of Bingo in Hiroshima prefecture, and his wife, Haru, from around Meiji 2, had both been unfaithful. Though vowing to remain husband and wife until their hair got white, they continued to have difficulties. During Meiji 9, Shōsuke began drinking at lot and crazily carrying on with women. She cried, but he wouldn't listen, and he beat her. This continued, and he wouldn't stop, so she came to a decision. On the night of the 5th day of the 11th month of the 10th year of Meiji, while he was in his usual drunken stupor, she stabbed him once, deeply in the throat. He rose 7 times and fell 8 times, and when his breathing ended, with the same blade she stabbed her chest to die with him (共死). She was treated (reudzi 療治 ryōji), however, and after she recovered (zenkwai 全快ぜんくわい zenkai), on the this past 15th day, of the 3rd month of the 11th year of Meiji, [she was beheaded and] her head was exposed (kiyaushu 梟首 kyōshu). (WW)

Top