[GW and Twins Pawpaw]

What's a 'seppuku'? Maybe it's like ritual suicide for an egregous social blunder?

[buccaneer81]

What's a 'seppuku'? Maybe it's like ritual suicide for an egregous social blunder?

Ritual suicide to maintain the honor of a Samurai.

[PzLdr]

Seppuku is the Japanese term also known as Hara Kiri. It's ritual suicide. The "honoree" takes the short sword (Wakisashi) and makes two cuts, across his lower stomach, then up to the sternum from the centerline. He may then be assisted by a second, who decapitates him with the long sword (Katana). Prior to the suicide, a death poem is usually read. They did a pretty good job showing it in "Shogun" when Kasegi Yabu offed himself at Toranaga's order.