Seppuku (/ sɛˈpuːkuː /) is a term used for ritual suicide practiced by Japanese Samurai by first cutting the abdomen with a small dagger, and then having a "second", or kaishakunin, complete the suicide by decapitation. Samurais commit seppuku to restore honour, avoid capture by their enemies, atone for an error that disrupted their sworn lord, or to loyally follow their lord in death. Watching the Shōgun TV series, I must admit it's hard watching seppuku-after-seppuku, and yet, at the same time fascinating to observe (even a fictionalised version of) a culture whose attitude towards death is so contrary to how modern society view it today.
