Seppuku
Seppuku, also known as harakiri, is a form of ritual suicide by disembowelment that originated among the samurai of feudal Japan. The term seppuku (切腹) literally means “cutting the abdomen”; harakiri (腹切り) is the older or colloquial form. The act was part of the samurai code of conduct, and it was used to restore or protect one’s honor after failure or disgrace, or as a controlled form of punishment or solidarity in some military contexts.
Ritual and terminology: In the traditional practice, the act involved a self-inflicted abdominal wound, typically with
Historical context: Seppuku was commonly associated with the samurai class and the broader ideals of Bushidō.
Modern status: In contemporary Japan, seppuku is illegal and exceedingly rare. It is generally regarded as a