Entity: HARAKIRI
Harakiri, also known as seppuku, is a ritual suicide practice involving self-disembowelment with a sword, historically performed by disgraced samurai in Japan. This act was seen as a way to restore honor and avoid the shame of capture or execution.
HARAKIRI
Etymology
The term 'Harakiri' originates from Japan and is also known as seppuku.
Definition
Harakiri, also known as seppuku, is a ritual suicide practice involving self-disembowelment with a sword, historically performed by disgraced samurai in Japan.
Historical Context
Harakiri was a significant part of Japanese samurai culture, where it was considered an honorable way to die rather than face capture or execution. It was often performed to preserve one's honor or as an alternative to the death penalty.
Cultural Significance
The practice of harakiri symbolized courage, loyalty, and the importance of honor in Japanese society. It was a solemn ritual that held deep cultural and historical significance among the samurai class.
Related Concepts
Harakiri is closely related to seppuku, another form of ritual suicide in Japanese culture. Both practices involve self-disembowelment as a means of honorable death.
See Also
- Seppuku
- Samurai
- Japanese Culture
A ceremonial suicide practice by ripping open the abdomen with a dagger or knife, traditionally carried out by samurai in Japan to regain honor or as an alternative to the death penalty.