04-16-2007, 03:41 PM
To me this seems a rather stupid way to kill oneself. i mean, sticking something into your belly doesn't usually kill instantly if I'm correct.
Indeed, one does not die instantly unless they thrust the sword deep enough to cut the spinal cord.
That is why in Seppuku (hara kiri is the more common and vulgar term for the ritual suicide of the Samurai -- hara means stomach and kiri is the verb 'to cut') one not only cuts their own stomach, but a "Second" stands ready to cut off their head and thus finish them off quickly.
'Cut off' is a bit of a misnomer, for a truly skilled Second would sever the head but not completely, leaving the head attached to the body by a small sliver of skin on the throat. The Second would then use a small knife to finish removing the head. Of course, not all Seconds were so skilled, nor always available on the battlefield.
In the late feudal period the ritual had become such that the "victim" did not even have to cut themselves. In this later form of Seppuku as soon as the victim touched the knife the Second cut off his head. To most this would seem to be simple execution, however, by simply picking up the knife they showed their intention to kill themselves and thus honor was served.
The classic text on Seppuku (if you are interested) is "Hara Kiri - Japanese Ritual Suicide" by Jack Seward.
http://www.amazon.com/Hara-Kiri-Japanes ... 907&sr=8-1
Mishima Yukio wrote a detailed and graphic description of hara kiri in his short story "Patriotism" that you might also find of interest, though it is a story not for the weak stomach (so to speak). You will find this short story in his collection "Death In Midsummer"."
http://www.amazon.com/Death-Midsummer-O ... 208&sr=1-5
Narukami
Indeed, one does not die instantly unless they thrust the sword deep enough to cut the spinal cord.
That is why in Seppuku (hara kiri is the more common and vulgar term for the ritual suicide of the Samurai -- hara means stomach and kiri is the verb 'to cut') one not only cuts their own stomach, but a "Second" stands ready to cut off their head and thus finish them off quickly.
'Cut off' is a bit of a misnomer, for a truly skilled Second would sever the head but not completely, leaving the head attached to the body by a small sliver of skin on the throat. The Second would then use a small knife to finish removing the head. Of course, not all Seconds were so skilled, nor always available on the battlefield.
In the late feudal period the ritual had become such that the "victim" did not even have to cut themselves. In this later form of Seppuku as soon as the victim touched the knife the Second cut off his head. To most this would seem to be simple execution, however, by simply picking up the knife they showed their intention to kill themselves and thus honor was served.
The classic text on Seppuku (if you are interested) is "Hara Kiri - Japanese Ritual Suicide" by Jack Seward.
http://www.amazon.com/Hara-Kiri-Japanes ... 907&sr=8-1
Mishima Yukio wrote a detailed and graphic description of hara kiri in his short story "Patriotism" that you might also find of interest, though it is a story not for the weak stomach (so to speak). You will find this short story in his collection "Death In Midsummer"."
http://www.amazon.com/Death-Midsummer-O ... 208&sr=1-5
Narukami
David Reinke
Burbank CA
Burbank CA
