An ancient Japanese suicide ritual that ensured an honorable death instead of a life of shame...
Seppuku is a ritual form of suicide in Japanese society.
Many in the western world believe it to be a horrific and barbaric practice. However, according to the Japanese way of thinking, seppu ("slitting the belly") was an honorable death, preferable to a life worthless in shame.
Seppuku suicide using a samurai sword represents a Japanese suicide tradition dating back to the 11th century. The word 'seppu' comes from the word zetsu which means 'cut' and fuku which means 'belly'.
In early feudal Japan, a powerful warrior class was created. These Japanese warriors fought to expand the power and influence of the clans to protect the independence of their lands and create a united state system.
The tradition of seppuku intensified during the Japanese Civil Wars, especially in the 15th/16th century, but two orders introduced in 1603 and another in 1663 officially banned it.
The Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1867, also known as the Edo period) restored stability and peace to Japan for more than 250 years and reorganized the samurai. Seppuku no longer officially supported the rite of suicide, but at the same time it was saved from obsolescence.
During the long period of peace, the Tokugawa authorities incorporated seppuku into the code of conduct of the samurai, commonly known today as the 'Bushido Code'.
Despite the abolition, the people continued to follow the custom and it was considered a real privilege for samurai warriors and nobles. There are ancient accounts of defeated enemies who were given a chance to kill themselves, which was considered a kindness by them. They were able to keep their dignity intact.
In 1868, safes were once again officially banned.
Seppuku can explain reasons
Safes were needed to avoid the embarrassment of falling into enemy hands. It is also considered an honorable punishment. Sometimes it was done to show some kind of disapproval or loyalty to the deceased master.
What is Seppuku's procedure?
Initially, the suicide candidate (in a white kimono) had to prepare the so-called death poem. He then takes a short knife to cut his abdomen and slices his upper body from the lower left to the right.
His neck was then expected to be lowered, and the 'kaishakunin' (the assistant who was often the best friend was always present during the procedure), had to blow off the seppuku candidate's head. Sometimes one powerful blow from his sword cuts short a man's painful suffering.
Safes were made under extremely difficult conditions on the battlefield.
In such a case, there was no time and no suitable place to perform the seppu ritual. The ritual was performed quickly as usual.
Photos...
The most recent and widely known case of seppuku is from November 1970.
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Yukio Mishima (1925-1970), a Japanese author, playwright, actor, film director and founder of the Japan Shield Society ('Tatenokai'), a private militia in Japan dedicated to traditional Japanese values and honoring the emperor, decided to commit suicide.
Mishima, who also excelled in martial arts, was a controversial man who greatly respected the values of the Bushido code. In 1970, he and his three militiamen seized control of a Japanese military base and took the commanding officer hostage in a failed attempt to launch a coup to restore the emperor's pre-war powers.
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