crime

Woman arrested for beating 13-year-old son with wooden sword

52 Comments

Police said Friday they have arrested a woman for allegedly binding her son's arms and legs with tape and beating him with a wooden sword as punishment. TV Asahi reported that the alleged attack took place on Wednesday at around 9:40 p.m. in the driveway outside the home the woman shared with her son.

Police say the accused, who has been identified as Kazuyo Seiyo, 35, had discovered that her son, aged 13, had begun to skip school and had brought a group of his friends to their house in her absence. Police said the woman made him promise that he wouldn't do so again. But when she found evidence that his friends had subsequently been to their home, she allegedly bound the boy's arms and legs with tape and launched a sustained attack which lasted around 10 minutes, TV Asahi reported.

According to police, the boy was hit dozens of times on the head, arms, legs, back and abdomen with a wooden sword. Police say the sword belonged to the boy and had been bought for a school club. The boy sustained bruises and lacerations. His mother has reportedly confessed to the assault, and was quoted by police as saying she flew into a rage when she found out what her son had done.

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52 Comments
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I think the boy deserved it. It sounds like he's turning into a junior high school dropout/delinquent and bringing a bunch of punk kids over to his mother's house while she's at work. He then goes on to break his promise and lying straight to her face.

Sorry but an ass-whooping by dad with a kendo stick was something a few of my friends got when we were teenagers when we did something pretty bad. So many on this board decry the lack of heavy discipline these days and talk so often about how "things were different when I was a kid and how I would get smacked for...." etc. but when it happens now, many are so quick to criticize.

Which do you prefer? Letting this kid run roughshod over his mother and her home or giving him a few shots with the kendo stick to teach him a lesson that she's not to be disrespected like this?

16 ( +18 / -4 )

Which is worse, getting beat by your mom for ten minutes, or wasting your life with losers who can't hold a job to save their lives? Apparently this boy is lacking some positive male role models.

Of course, binding his hands and hitting him in the head are a bit over the top, but only a bit.

8 ( +9 / -2 )

Theatened to kiss my son goodbye at the school gates when I found out he was mitching school at 14,that cured him. I cannot condone any person beating a child for 10 minutes, she must have one heck of a temper

7 ( +9 / -1 )

Lets see if he skips school again.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Christina, ha! For teenagers, certainly, "The kiss is mightier than the sword."

Sounds like a case of absent father, overworked mother, and lack of communication abilities here. While I don't condone her actions, sympathy is needed. I hope they both are required to receive the counseling they deserve.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

This may become the root of his hatred toward women. Society be warned.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

What is that old saying?? Spare the rod and spoil the child??

3 ( +3 / -1 )

. I have a wooden kendo stick that I use to beat up burglars. It works, they run away as soon as they see it.

Bloody hell foxie! Maybe its time to move?!

This kid needs a good kick in the pants but tied and bound with tape and a sustained attack with a stick lasting 10 minutes - waaaaay too much and I agree, either this woman is psycho or there has to be more going on here.

If she is a single mother busting her guts at work to give her son a better life while he squanders his opportunities then I can understand her frustration - but not her methods of dealing with it.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Agreed we don't know the Mother's circumstances but under any circumstances, it is never okay to tie a kid up and beat them. Kids have ended up dead because parents crossed that line between discipline and abuse. So if the punishment doesn't work and he skips school again, what's next? Scalding with boiling water. Starvation? When a parent hits a child in temper, that parent is basically having an adult temper tantrum. They've lost it. Violence only breeds more violence. What's she going to do when he's bigger than her and maybe hits her back because that's what he learnt from her.

I hope the family is properly evaluated and support is given.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

THE MOTHER IS RIGHT

Not child abuse but child care. I am on the mother's side. When i was a child I was disciplined by a leather belt. I learned not to do things the ard way. My parents cared and din't want me to go to jail or be on my death bed.

He's a 13 year old ( teenager ) young man. Not a 5 year old boy. She beat him for only 10 minutes.

I DO THINK THE KID DESERVED IT. Sounds to me she's a single mother. We do not know how tall, how short, how and how big this boy is ???

Of course he probably cursed her or doesn't listen to her anymore since the father is not present or comepletely gone. TIME OUTS doesn't work for kids who are smart and head strong, stubborn or rebelious.

I WOULD RATHER GET HIT FROM A STICK FROM MY MOTHER IN THE EARLY YEARS OF MY LIFE THAN TO GET HIT FROM A KENDO STICK / OR A BOOT HEEL FROM THE POLICE.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

According to police, the boy was hit dozens of times on the head, arms, legs, back and abdomen with a wooden sword.

If they were not there, it is not according to the police, it is according to who told the story, which would probably be the boy.

"Dozens" is probably what it felt like, not what it actually was...

And who called this in/ timed the beating, a witness?

It is interesting that the police choose to arrest this mother, countermanding her authority, while in 2 parent homes, when they have reports of screaming, thin children, etc., they do diddly...

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The sexism here is astounding. If a dad did this then you'd all be calling for the death penalty, but when a mother does it then it's magically okay.

She says it was a fit of rage, but that's nonsense, it takes a pre-meditated act to go and find tape, tie the boy down, then get his bokuto or shinai and beat him for 10 MINUTES straight. Oh, and let's look at the areas she hit, the head, which could have resulted in brain damage and death, the abdomen, which could have resulted in internal bleeding and death, the back, which could have resulted in spinal damage, paralysis for life and/or death.

The arms, legs, buttocks, all these are probably not going to kill someone, but the areas she struck could easily have resulted in death from even a single misjudged strike (a single strike, even soft, to the poorly protected brainstem at the base of the skull can kill).

No, this isn't discipline, this is child abuse, and everyone who thinks it's okay simply because a mother does it is sick and sexist.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@christina - i love it. yes, these kinds of actions (going with the kid and threatening to kiss him good-bye) really cure a teenager - once would be more than enough. i know.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Lets stay on the ground here. The boy is 13, not a baby, he has clearly been making trouble and needs some response. I am not excusing the sword beating, but this is clearly a different story than the abuse of little children that we often read about here.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

A bit over the top as far as binding the arms and legs, but the kid did desrve a good old fashioned "a** Whooping" by his mother. He nees to learn to obey rules and at a minimum respect his parent's home. My parents told me do what I want (when I got older) but don't bring that crap around their house that they paid for.

I wonder where the father is in this story.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Dennis, I was also wondering why "grounding" is not common in Japan, and then I realized how many "hikikomori" there are in this country. Grounding kids for not going to school doesn't seem like the right choice.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Doing anything 'in a rage' is not punishment or discipline. There's no mention of any adult male in the house to help with raising this boy. Either the woman has other problems, or there's more going on than we're told here to make her lose the plot.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

eh, mom, ever heard of grounding or cutting his allowance?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Not to worry -- she'll promise not to do it again and he'll be refused social services. Later, when he's beaten to death for being such a nuisance, they'll say, "We admit we should have provided more adequate safety measures." Mom will still not face charges.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Granted she went overboard but also agree with others that he deserved a re-orientation towards reality.

Now we know nothing about those friends their habits, etc but it does sound like they were not good company/role-models.

So I am pretty sure that a lot more went down than just a few guys hanging out together at her house without permission.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Since the article implies she's a single mother, I can understand her anger especially if her son gave her some kind of attitude when confronted for the second offense. While I'd be inclined to say what she did was excessive, the article doesn't say the boy is suffering from any internal or permanent injuries. Furthermore, this kid will be known to his "yankee" friends as the one who was subdued and beaten by his mother. Good luck to this kid trying to be tough from now on. While this "beating" has the potential of going wrong, it also has the potential of being the turning point in this kid's life to straighten up and get his act together.

The more I think about it the more I respect this lady. It definitely seems that her desire was to destroy her son's arrogance and wasn't done with any of the maliciousness we often read about those who abuse, maim, and even kill their children.

Best of luck to this lady and her, hopefully reformed, son.

0 ( +1 / -2 )

There are children who really listen once reprimanded and abide by the home rules.But there are those with soft character and are easily chided by their peers. Threatening the kid's goods could either make him follow rules or create greater enmity.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This boy got out easy, my mother used to beat us with wooden cooking spoons, garden hoses, & frying pans. This kid needs to respect his mother or else he would not even respect you at all.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I quote Goodfellas "You wanna grow up and be a bum?"

0 ( +1 / -1 )

When I was 13-14, I missed school too, but mom placed my brains to the right position with kick under the arse. But beating for a 10 minutes... Especially with bokken... That's just pure sadism.

0 ( +1 / -0 )

Sounds like the boy had it coming but I don't agree with him getting hit on the head, not hard anyway.

0 ( +1 / -0 )

So stupid

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@frungy i completely agree with you. while i agree that the son needs some major discipline, this was NOT the way to go about it. She could have easily killed him, and then she would have had to live with that guilt for the rest of her life

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Take a look at the next article about a girl of the same age killed by her dad in an exorcism. No comments there saying, "The poor dad, he was so stressed, he was just trying to cure his daughter" <- I don't believe this, but if it had been a mother who killed her then this sort of comment would have been made.

The simple fact is that women get away with murder, literally in many cases, because of this sort of sexism. Hey, I'm all for women's lib, but the comments here show that women are quick to grab the additional rights, but slow to give up the advantages.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

i completely agree, women should have every single right men have, no more no less

men don't get any leniency so why should women?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

IN THE DRIVEWAY!!! wow, another nutter

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Poor boy, that mother deserves the same punishment. And hitting a child on the head is just unexcusable. I have a wooden kendo stick that I use to beat up burglars. It works, they run away as soon as they see it.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

wow, of course the beating was too severe, but the boy deserved an adequate punishment. Maybe a switch or spanking with a ruler or fly swatter or something and definitely not for 10 mins. That woman got some endurance. Even thought the mother was wrong for going so far, They have to remember that the child should not be treated so much as a victim. He did a bad thing. That one of the problems in the world today. People dont have any understanding of consequences. And in japan many of these new adults are like this. I mean new doctors are crying (One of my friends is training some new doctors told me this) because they have to work 8 hours a day.

-1 ( +0 / -2 )

@ the driveway ohh boy poor petit boy ...

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

well to those who seems to be very critical to the mothers's method, why don't you volunteer your time to be a postive role to the kid and to the parents? That is worth trying...but you just simply hinding behind the keyboard spewing your litany and righteousness.

I would simply toss the kid out for a week.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

She's lucky he didn't beat the crap out of her. Revenge could be coming her way. We'll hear part II soon!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Elbuda MexicanoSep

said it all in 7 words... However, hitting the head is NEVER a solution - could even make him stupider than he already is...

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

bicultural: "Dennis, I was also wondering why "grounding" is not common in Japan, and then I realized how many "hikikomori" there are in this country. Grounding kids for not going to school doesn't seem like the right choice."

Depends on what the 'grounding' incorporates. In my day it meant being barred from going out and playing with friends or what have you, but I agree that would not have the desired effect on a lot of kids today (Japan or elsewhere). However, take the kids cell phone, PSP, Wii, or PC and threaten to smash it and you'll probably get the effect you want.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Over the top but it sounds like the kid was going to turn out to be a nightmare when older. Fair enough to punish him but a tad harsh. Though that being said, wonder what else could have been done? Cut off him money leads to him stealing? Ground him leads to him sneaking out. How about demand he get a job and... threaten to kiss him at the gates? I love that and will have to remember that for the future!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I'll bet the boy doesn't bring his friends over to the house for awhile.

Heck, I was beaten with a wooden board on the buttocks til it hurt real bad by my elementary school principal for the atrocious crime of doodling during class, and he was never even reprimanded by anyone in authority.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The little brat probably had it coming to him...let her go! let her go!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The point is this is a mother that cared,We presume from the article she's single mother,maybe out working to give her son the best,and how does this 13 year old repay her,by abusing her trust and showing no respect. Maybe now he will show some respect to his mother. Give the mother a medal,hopefully some other families will take note.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

That boy was so lucky... When I was13, I'm already working and I live in a park.... I wish I was lucky as him.. Having a diciplinary mom, a house to hang out with friends, and a kendo sticK which cost ¥4000+ .....

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Shinai ni yoru shinai. Shinpai go muyou.

That said, the punishment is far too excessive. Clearly, the boy needs better direction.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

but I don't agree with him getting hit on the head, not hard anyway.

...not hard anyway...This gave me a chucke. Thanks!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

well if the 10 minutes includes the time to bind hands/feet etc.... then maybe its not that over the top. :) In the driveway, nice touch.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Probably more about the boy's disobedience after being told not to do it AGAIN. If Japan does not have places to seek remedies for situations like this then everything cannot be laid at the feet of the mother. What is a single, working mom to do? HOW can she redress grievances?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

As I am a firm believer in corporal punishment, this is clearly taking it way too far.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

However, hitting the head is NEVER a solution - could even make him stupider than he already is...

It could also knock some sense into his head! For those that support giving your kid an ass whooping when they deserve it....I salute you!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

My first thought was, "What 13 year old boy can't hold his mum at bay?" Is she Yawara-chan?

-4 ( +1 / -4 )

The mother deserves the same SM play (bond***).

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

MONSTER!!! Japanese women always attacking and hurting the boys.

This is nothing to go into a rage about. If it had been an orgy or drugs and women in the living room, maybe. This was just a boy ditching school. Every kid ditches school at least once.

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

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