Also known as hara-kiri, a form of ritual [[suicide]] by [[disembowelment]]. Primarily practiced by the [[samurai]], seppuku was used to die with honor rather than falling into the hands of an enemy, as a means of punishment for serious offenses, as a means of protest against a lord's decision, or to atone for dishonor, such as a shameful deed or a failure to protect one's lord. It was performed by the samurai using a tanto or wakizashi to cut open one's belly from left to right in a slicing motion, at which point the [[kaishakunin]], the samurai's second, had the job of finishing the job by beheading him before he could show any sign of pain or loss of composure.

h4. External links

* "Wikipedia: Seppuku":[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seppuku]
切腹 腹切り