what is seppuku?

Answer 1

Samurai dave gives you the basic understanding.

Though many warrior tales do discusss death by seppuku, it really does not become an important ritual till the Tokugawa period (1600-1867). Chushingura is perhaps the most famous example of this, but many scholars doubt how accurate it is becuase the story has a didatic purpose. Also very few women choose seppuku as a way to die. Becoming a nun was generally chosen as a better course of action. Though I have only taught a course on the samurai once, I generally do not focus to much on this topic as it is only a minor feature of who the samurai were.

If you are interested in learning more about the Samurai and seppuku I suggest reading these three books:

The Taming of the Samurai: Honorific Individualism and the Making of Modern Japan by Eiko Ikegami

Samurai, Warfare and the State in Early Medieval Japan by Karl Friday

Heavenly Warriors: The Evolution of Japan's Military by Wayne Farris.

I hope this helps

Answer 2

Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. Seppuku is the more refined word - hara kiri being a more vulgar form.

A samurai would generally use his smaller blade the tanto or wakizashi to cut open his abdomen where it was believed a person's life and power resided. He would cut from left to right then if able to, cut upward. Another samurai (if one were present) would act as his second and cut his head off - but not completely if done properly.

In an execution setting, the condemned would wear white robes and wrap the blade in white cloth before cutting.
Execution scene of Lord Asano:
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/6929/p1011571eq4.jpg

Being granted the right to commit seppuku was seen as an honor as opposed to being executed like a common criminal.

Women of the samurai class, would commit suicide by tying their feet together to prevent kicking in their death throes and stabbing themselves in the neck with a small blade.

Seppuku was performed by samurai to avoid capture in battle, as a way of saving face, punishment but with the allowance of honor - the 47 Ronin who killed their master's enemy were allowed to commit seppuku rather be executed without honor. It could also be performed in the form of a protest.

Answer 3

Seppuku (Japanese: "cutting the belly") is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment.

Answer 4

Japanese suicide by disembowelment. Many did this after being embarassed, dishonored by some action or the other.

Answer 5

ceremonial suicide by ripping open the abdomen with a dagger or knife: formerly practiced in Japan by members of the warrior class when disgraced or sentenced to death

Answer 6

Also commonly known as hara-kiri -- suicide by disembowelment.