Seppuku/Hara-kiri

The name samurai has been closely related to death. In fact, the samurai's supposed affinity for death seems to separate him from other warriors and captures the imagination.

Seppuku or otherwise more commonly known as hara-kiri in the world outside of Samurai’s, is the act of slitting one's own belly is such an implausible way to end one’s life. Perhaps the most prominent aspect of the samurai myths, the initial purpose for this method of death may well have been solely practical. Cutting off one's own head is slightly tricky, while slitting the belly open was considered to be the simplest way to die.

The acts of belly slitting need extraordinary bravery. Over the years, it became such a way that only samurais could perform Seppuku. To be plainly put to death was a sign of dishonour and disgrace, and normally set aside for tarnished traitors.

During the act of seppuku, a knife laid in front of the samurai. When he was ready, the samurai would loosen his kimono and expose his belly before lifting the knife with one hand and unsheathe it with the other. He would then force the knife into the left side of the stomach, and then draw it across to the right. The blade would then be turned in the wound and brought upward. Many samurai did not have to suffer this last, implausible pain, as the second would chop their heads off at the earliest sign of pain.