18 What is seppuku? (The Basics of Samurai "Suicide")

<p>On this episode of <em>Ichimon Japan</em> we ask: What is seppuku?</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Topics Discussed<br /></strong></h2> <ul> <li>A breakdown of the word seppuku</li> <li>A breakdown of the word <em>hara-kiri</em></li> <li>Whether <em>"hara-kiri</em>" is a term used only by foreigners</li> <li>The glorification and beautification of seppuku</li> <li>The history and origin of seppuku/belly cutting</li> <li>The differences between the terms seppuku and hara-kiri, and which is more commonly used in Japan</li> <li>The earliest known Japanese story involving belly cutting</li> <li>Harasaki marsh</li> <li>Minamoto no Tmetomo</li> <li>The "Golden Age" of seppuku</li> <li>Seppuku as a symbol of the elite</li> <li>Who was allowed to commit sanctioned seppuku</li> <li>The end of officially sanctioned seppuku</li> <li>Whether seppuku should really be considered suicide</li> <li>Why seppuku involves cutting open the belly rather than other body parts such as the wrists</li> <li>The discrepancies found in seppuku manuals</li> <li>The steps and rules of a formal Edo period seppuku ceremony</li> <li>What a <em>kaishakunin</em> is</li> <li>What <em>dakikubi</em> i<em>s</em></li> <li>The usage of paper fans rather than swords during seppuku</li> <li>Children committing seppuku</li> <li>The seppuku of the famed 47 ronin</li> <li>The places where formal seppuku ceremonies would be held and why seppuku would not normally be done at shrines</li> <li>The different types of cuts used when belly cutting (<em>jūmonji</em>, <em>ichimonji</em>, <em>hachimonji</em>, <em>sanmonji</em>)</li> <li><em>Oibara</em></li> <li>How a retainer of Oda Nobunaga's father guilt tripped Oda Nobunaga by commiting seppuku</li> <li>The anime style "concealed belly cut"</li> <li>Seppuku as murder</li> <li>Seppuku caused by depression</li> <li>The over-the-top nature of kabuki</li> <li>Junshi</li> <li>Seppuku as a way to preserve the honor and status of one's family</li> <li>And more!</li> </ul> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><str