World History
Ritual Suicide. This short article has information on the ritual suicide practice known as Seppuku (or Hara-kiri). It was normally practiced by samurai in medieval Japan.
The article notes, "To the samurai, seppuku--whether ordered as punishment or chosen in preference to a dishonorable death at the hands of an enemy--was unquestionable demonstration of their honor, courage, loyalty, and moral character. "
It is hard to believe but many warriors made the decision to kill themselves in a painful manner for making poor tactical decisions on the battlefield or for being on the wrong side of a political alliance. It is noted that this behavior became common after Buddhism was introduced in Japan.
Death in this manner was also ritualized. It is noted, "The location of an officially ordered seppuku ceremony was very important. Often the ritual was performed at temple (but not Shinto shrines), in the garden or villas, and inside homes. The size of the area available was also important, as it was prescribed precisely for samurai of high rank. All the matters relating to the act was carefully prescribed and carried out in the most meticulous manner. The most conspicuous participant, other than the victim, was the kaishaku (kie-shah-kuu), or assistant, who was responsible for cutting off the victim's head after he had sliced his abdomen open. The was generally a close friend or associate of the condemned."
Although ritual suicide is rarely practiced in Japan today, the legacy lives on. There is less social stigma attached to suicide in Japan than there is in other parts of the world.
- Samurai
Samurai The originally Chinese term samurai means “a person who serves in close attendance to nobility.†Its original pronunciation was saburau, which later became saburai. Warriors known as bushi or samurai dominated the Japanese landscape...
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- Bushido, Tokugawa Period In Japan
Bushido, Tokugawa Period in Japan When Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated Ishida Mitsunari at the Battle of Sekigahara in October 1600, Bushido, the “way of the warrior,†which his victorious samurai followed, was just reaching its apogee. (Bushi, which...
- The Ninja Of Ancient Japan
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- Japan, Korea And 1597: A Year That Lives In Infamy
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World History
Ritual Suicide
Ritual Suicide. This short article has information on the ritual suicide practice known as Seppuku (or Hara-kiri). It was normally practiced by samurai in medieval Japan.The article notes, "To the samurai, seppuku--whether ordered as punishment or chosen in preference to a dishonorable death at the hands of an enemy--was unquestionable demonstration of their honor, courage, loyalty, and moral character. "
It is hard to believe but many warriors made the decision to kill themselves in a painful manner for making poor tactical decisions on the battlefield or for being on the wrong side of a political alliance. It is noted that this behavior became common after Buddhism was introduced in Japan.
Death in this manner was also ritualized. It is noted, "The location of an officially ordered seppuku ceremony was very important. Often the ritual was performed at temple (but not Shinto shrines), in the garden or villas, and inside homes. The size of the area available was also important, as it was prescribed precisely for samurai of high rank. All the matters relating to the act was carefully prescribed and carried out in the most meticulous manner. The most conspicuous participant, other than the victim, was the kaishaku (kie-shah-kuu), or assistant, who was responsible for cutting off the victim's head after he had sliced his abdomen open. The was generally a close friend or associate of the condemned."
Although ritual suicide is rarely practiced in Japan today, the legacy lives on. There is less social stigma attached to suicide in Japan than there is in other parts of the world.
- Samurai
Samurai The originally Chinese term samurai means “a person who serves in close attendance to nobility.†Its original pronunciation was saburau, which later became saburai. Warriors known as bushi or samurai dominated the Japanese landscape...
- Human Sacrifice And The Aztecs
Human Sacrifice and the Aztecs Although some maintain that the notion that the Aztecs (Mexica) practiced human sacrifice is a myth that originated with the Spanish conquistadores to justify and legitimate their conquests, in fact, abundant evidence demonstrates...
- Bushido, Tokugawa Period In Japan
Bushido, Tokugawa Period in Japan When Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated Ishida Mitsunari at the Battle of Sekigahara in October 1600, Bushido, the “way of the warrior,†which his victorious samurai followed, was just reaching its apogee. (Bushi, which...
- The Ninja Of Ancient Japan
The Ninja of Ancient Japan - Lists the origins of the ninja, their weapons, history, and famous ninja. Please note the author of this has repeatedly misspelled ancient. I have taken the liberty of correcting it here. It is of interest that President Clinton...
- Japan, Korea And 1597: A Year That Lives In Infamy
Japan, Korea and 1597: A Year That Lives in Infamy - Excerpt of a New York Times article detailing Japan's invasion of Korea in 1597 and Korean resentment lingering from it. From the site: When they invaded Korea 400 years ago, Japanese samurai...