Execution | Takahashi Oden

Takahashi Oden's Childhood

Cut his throat with the knife she had to take revenge on her half-sister
She snaps when Goto refused to lend her money
After severing Goto during the night in the inn, she snapped when Goto betrayed the promise
Goto tried to rape her putting a knife against her neck

In 1876, Oden was arrested in Tokyo on charges of seducing, stabbing to death, and robbing Gotō.
She killed only one man, and that was a result of attempting to obtain money to help Ichitarō

Snapped once she knew that Goto refused to give her money
Accused with killing three men. (Goto and both of her husbands)
This act of poisoning also became one of the triggers for the label, “poison wife”

Robun’s writing focuses mainly on Oden’s behaviour as abnormal and uncommon
The executioner Yamada Asaemon - mentions his status and career, not his behavior in the execution

There is a dire need for the discussion of the societal and historical factors
It can created an environment for such fiction-based tales to be perceived as the truth
Important to consider external factors on the scene and information

The reasons of her kill differ between (1) the frustration of not getting the money, (2) for avenging her supposed sister, or (3) a simple accident.
The basic information of her accusation does influences how Oden could be portrayed by the reader, with the presentation of multiple murders emphasizing her character as a poison woman.
The ways that the scene is portrayed and the detail provided in the scene can influence the visual imagery of Oden. (Robun missing illustrating behaviors of the executioner and the coroner)
An understanding of the society, social norms, and the lives of the people in Meiji Japan during—and after—the life of Takahashi Oden will reveal some reasons that may have caused for such an interpretation of her life.