To avoid the disgrace of being captured by an enemy in battle.
This is the formal, "on-reading" ( on'yomi ) derived from Chinese. It is the term used in official documents, laws, and formal ceremonies. It sounds more scholarly and dignified. seppuku or harakiri
Seppuku, also known as harakiri, was a form of ritual suicide that was historically practiced by samurai in Japan to restore honor for themselves or their families. Here are some key points about this practice: To avoid the disgrace of being captured by
Today, seppuku stands as a stark symbol of the code—a reminder of a time when honor was considered more valuable than life itself. It sounds more scholarly and dignified
For the samurai, the abdomen was believed to be the seat of the soul and the source of one's true intentions. By cutting open the stomach, a warrior was literally "showing his guts"—demonstrating that his spirit was pure, sincere, and free of cowardice.