Harakiri means stabbing oneself in the abdomen to kill oneself. This is performed in several movies or dramas depicting samurai, including 13 Assassins, and many know harakiri superficially as a ritualistic suicide. It is very reasonable to think doing harakiri is a crazy thing. However, there is a philosophy behind this culture. Understanding its deeper cultural context provides an enriching layer of complexity that can transform the viewing experience of samurai dramas.
CAUTION: This article is not intended to recommend harakiri or any other way of suicide. You don’t have to and should not kill yourself by any means, NEVER. If you find yourself overwhelmed too much, you should consult a specialist to relieve yourself first. What is described in this article is just for an educational purpose, intended to provoke thought about why samurai in the past did such a seemingly irrational act.
Now, with that in mind, let’s delve into the world of harakiri and its significance to the samurai.
The Origins of Harakiri
Harakiri, which literally translates to “belly cutting”, is a form of Japanese ritualistic suicide by disembowelment. Originating in the samurai class, this act became emblematic of the bushido (warrior) code — a set of ethical guidelines and virtues that dictated a samurai’s life.
Why Did Samurai Practice Harakiri?
- Restoring Honor: At the heart of harakiri is the concept of honor. If a samurai felt they had committed an act of dishonor, they might choose to rectify this through harakiri. It was a way to accept responsibility for one’s actions and ensure that their name would not be tainted in death.
- Avoiding Capture: In times of war, a defeated samurai might choose harakiri over being captured by the enemy. This can also be seen as a way to maintain one’s honor, even in defeat, and therefore it is not correct to find the decision is due to the fear after the capture.
- Protest or Accountability: Harakiri was sometimes carried out as an act of protest against the decisions or actions of a superior. Although it’s incorrect to assume that samurai should always be yes-men—as evidenced by instances of them betraying their superiors or masters—it’s important to note that they value their own code of conduct and strive to walk the talk. Therefore, samurai choose their master based on their beliefs and follow his orders. However, once a samurai gets determined to follow a master under the code of conduct, being a gainsayer against the master who has proved to be unworthy of following will contradict the oath he made when choosing his master but remaining a yes-man will betray the belief he’d had in the first place at the same time, a catch-22 situation where either choice humiliates him. The only way out of this dilemma is to not choose either, by killing himself.
- Atonement: Beyond correcting personal dishonor, harakiri could be a way to atone for mistakes or misdeeds that had impacted others. By ending his life, a samurai demonstrated the depth of their remorse. Misdemeanors or wrongdoings would often betray his code of conduct, and what has been done can’t be undone. In this sense, he can never rectify a breach of their bushido, which means losing his way of life, leading to his death.
Farewell poem (辞世の句 / Jisei no ku)
One of the most poignant and introspective moments before the act of harakiri is the composition of a “farewell poem” or jisei no ku. A samurai who does harakiri makes a haiku or tanka about the life he’s experienced at the end of it. This tradition exemplifies the blend of martial and artistic cultures that made the samurai culture unique. Although the composition of a farewell poem is not limited to the act of harakiri (e.g., a bedridden person can also make his/her one, aware of the near death), let’s delve into what it means and tells us in the context of harakiri.
A farewell poem, often composed in the traditional form of a haiku or a tanka, was not just a mere goodbye. It encapsulated the samurai’s reflections on life, death, nature, impermanence, or even observations about the world around him. Through these verses, a samurai sought to convey the essence of their existence, their beliefs, and their acceptance of the impending finality. The beauty of such poems represents a kind of apotheosis in literature, only achievable when the spirit faces the proximity of death.
In samurai dramas, the farewell poem serves multiple purposes:
Character Depth: It provides readers with a profound insight into the character’s psyche, revealing layers of their personality and convictions that might have remained hidden throughout the narrative. If you want to know about a samurai, reading his farewell poem will give you much insight.
Emotional Resonance: These poems, with their poignant simplicity, often evoke deep emotions, amplifying the weight of the impending harakiri scene. They often serve as moments of quiet reflection amidst the intensity of the drama.
Philosophical Reflection: Many farewell poems touch upon universal themes like the fleeting nature of life, the eternal cycle of birth and death, or the serene beauty of the natural world. This serves as a conduit for readers to reflect upon their own beliefs and perceptions about life and mortality.
Last but not least, what we should remember is, everybody around the samurai who was committing harakiri was just waiting for the completion. Nobody interrupted the composition of his death poem, respecting the last moment.
Does a slash into a bowel kill a man?
A slash into a bowel is barely enough to kill a person. Just putting a katana into the abdomen is, however deep it is, by no means an easy suicide. It takes a while for him to expire, which last moment must have been an eternity for the person who committed harakiri. Here comes a kaishakunin.
One of the lesser-known yet integral components of the harakiri ritual is the role of a second, or “kaishakunin”. The kaishakunin’s responsibility was both an honor and a weighty burden, underscoring the deeply interconnected ethos of the samurai culture.
- 1. Duty of a kaishakunin
The primary duty of a kaishakunin was to deliver a swift and merciful death to the samurai performing harakiri so that he should not be agonized too long. After the samurai made the initial cut, his kaishakunin would behead him, ensuring that the ritual was concluded without prolonged suffering. This act wasn’t just about mercy; it was also an acknowledgment of the dignity and honor of the individual committing harakiri. - 2. Selection of the Kaishakunin
The selection of a kaishakunin was not taken lightly. Often, the individual chosen was someone close to the samurai, such as a friend or a fellow warrior. This ensured that the act was carried out with the utmost respect and precision. There was immense trust placed in the kaishakunin as a swift death would preserve the honor and dignity of the ritual. - 3: Symbolism and Deeper Meanings
Beyond the physical act, the role of the kaishakunin is rife with symbolism. It epitomizes the interdependent nature of samurai culture, where honor is not an individual’s domain but is shared, upheld, and sometimes painfully enforced by peers. This interconnectedness reminds viewers of the delicate balance between individual desires and societal expectations, a theme that remains relevant even today. - Harakiri without a kaishakunin
Of course, some samurai could not have a kaishakunin by their side, sometimes because nobody was available at the moment or because he himself chose no one. In this case, the samurai who performed harakiri had to be agonized for a long time before his death. Therefore, committing harakiri without a kaishakunin can be seen as a symbol of the strong determination to choose one’s death even in the most challenging situation to keep one’s honor.
Harakiri in Samurai Dramas
When portrayed in dramas, harakiri is not merely an act of violence but a profound, although sometimes kind of grotesque, moment that brings together themes of honor, duty, loyalty, and the transient nature of life. It provides a window into the inner workings of the samurai psyche and the weight of the bushido code. As viewers, we’re invited to grapple with intense emotions and philosophical questions about life, death, and honor.
For lovers of drama and history alike, samurai tales offer a blend of action, romance, tragedy, and reflection. The harakiri, with its rich tapestry of cultural significance, stands as one of the most evocative elements in these narratives. As you immerse yourself in these stories, understanding the layers behind such practices will deepen your appreciation and connection to the tales of these legendary warriors, and you will find the way of your life or how to live.
“13 Assassins”: A Cinematic Dive into Samurai Honor and Harakiri
When one speaks of samurai films that intricately portray the nuances of the bushido code and the ritual of harakiri, “13 Assassins” stands out as a modern masterpiece. The drama set in the waning days of the samurai era, is not only an epic tale of combat and strategy but also an exploration of honor, duty, and sacrifice. In this movie, the act of harakiri is woven into the story as a significant event. When you imagine why the person who committed harakiri did it, you will find the culture valued by many people in the era. Although the movie of the same title (directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Takashi Miike) is famous, our service offers its TV drama version. If you’ve watched the movie version, comparing with the TV drama of this significant historical event will give different impressions.
