How are Harakiri and Seppuku Different?

[@Subjectivity13]

Truly, there is nothing that Japan cannot complicate with formalities. Whether you are serving tea or killing yourself, there will be many very precise and specific rules to follow when doing it.

[@Subjectivity13]

@Craig Schultz Have you seen a Japanese tea ceremony? Just pouring the tea would be the most "efficient" way to do it, but they want to do it the most graceful, polite and respectful way possible. It's admirable, but looks exhausting.

[@kennyleung9909]

And here I am throwing a teabag in a cup and pouring hot water in.

[@bannedmann4469]

@@Subjectivity13 I'm sure it was popularized by someone with OCD.

[@sandhogssundays]

@@Subjectivity13 Well then, put that way I guess the most efficient way to finish a golf game drop is to just walk up to the cup at the 18th hole and drop it in. Some times it ain't about efficiency. I don't do tea ceremonies nor golf, but who am I to yuck someone's yum.

[@ricmorales3406]

Or giving out business cards

[@jdpalm1981]

He's so nice and smiley when discussing suicide.

[@latibro21]

Samurai Cosplayer: "Excuse me, I'll buy this fan." Cashier: "So you've chosen death"

[@jackb.207]

Black 7 foot tall guy behind buyer unsheet his sword.

[@nathanaelalbertodossantosm9410]

🤣😂🎭lol

[@darthsigil]

LMAO

[@semutkecik168]

@@jackb.207 eyy someone knows about the black samurai in japanese history....i forgor his name though

[@metallsnubben]

@@semutkecik168 Yasuke

[@Grasslander]

When I read Shogun, it was surprising to learn that they usually didn't get through the full action. As soon as a samurai reached for the sword on the ground, the man standing behind him would cut his head. Sometimes they would start the first cut, and as soon as they started the assisting samurai would cut the head. One samurai captive in the novel tells the assisting samurai not to act until he has finished both cuts of his own belly. The prisoner cuts his belly twice without shouting in pain, before his head is cut off. Toranaga orders that his head be preserved and sent to his family with full honors. Female samurai could also commit seppuku, but they would cut the throat. Again, they would have an assistant, which would be a male samurai, cutting off the head after. And again if they really wanted to go through with the full cut they'd have to tell the assistant to wait. Because everyone accepted that you only had to show your willingness to cut on your own, there was no need to make you actually go through with it.

[@zjwmusic1936]

fascinating!

[@vaenii5056]

It is a historical novel, not a history book. Not saying the information is incorrect, but never make conclusions based purely on fiction.

[@littlemouse7066]

Cutting the throat is even worse than cutting the stomach.

[@helikos1]

@@vaenii5056 Most definitely. Although some characters are taken directly from real life people, also the Japanese and even the "latin" in the book is seriously ham.

[@Kreyations]

@@littlemouse7066 don’t know man. Imagine splitting your stomach and the last thing you see before your head is chopped off is your guts spilling out

[@tehlolercaust]

3 years ago he was about getting 10k, now our guy is sitting at 1.75m subs.

[@iceebearhawaii1735]

Did he then demonstrate ritual suicide, as that could get the ratings up?

[@SmoothTurtle840]

For some reason, I more often heard the term “seppuku” rather than “harakiri” when referring to Japanese ritualistic suicide.

[@gateauxq4604]

‘Seppuku’ became the predominant word in the west due to Japanese movies and anime being imported more and getting so popular. ‘Harakiri’ is generally used by older people with more exposure to WWII culture and films when it was more commonly used.

[@bariumselenided5152]

I had never even heard “harakiri” before, I thought “seppuku” was the only word for it. That’s actually why I clicked on the video

[@allenjenkins7947]

I was actually taught that harakiri, sometimes mispronounced as harikari, was a crude and somwhat insulting term meaning stomach cutting. Whereas seppuku meant 'honourable suicide".

[@miathapapaya]

I've also only heard of seppuku and not the other. The idea of sashi-bara really had my eyes popping out

[@toprob20]

@@gateauxq4604 I always heard Harakiri in Western sources. While I only found Seppuku in Japanese media.

[@sukotsutoCSSR]

How about committing sudoku, I've heard about this in the internet often.

[@kundetjenesten]

I just started learning about this culture by watching the movie "Samurai Cop", I havn't heard this thing "sudoku" in it yet.

[@michaelstevenson5044]

It is said that they would place sudoku infront of Japanese warriors for them to calmly work on before a man with a katana cut their head off.

[@moominpic]

It means your number's up.

[@decemberfrostpaindine7987]

What if he/she win?

[@riffgroove]

It's not generally fatal.

[@kennethpullen5553]

He did not mention that the head is not completely severed, A strip of skin will remain so that the head will not roll across the floor. And the the 'assisting sword' ' has to settle the body into a dignified position.

[@ycplum7062]

Nothing ruins a solemn moment like a bloody head rolling randomly about.

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

Being the kaishakunin must be a really stressful job

[@MAXIMILLIONtheGREAT]

I assure you they didn't care.

[@faustomadebr]

Ive heard something like that before...

[@Bert-xi1dn]

@@MAXIMILLIONtheGREAT Assure me, by all means, but I'm not convinced. I'd say that for most humans taking a life is stressful no matter what. The way it was botched in Yukio Mishima's seppuku is a case to point.

[@rene.duranona]

Thank you for your explanation. This has been keeping me awake at night for years. Most fruitful knowledge.

[@Nikhilsj33]

Anyone got this recommended after watching Shogun?

[@andresfabian7002]

Let’s hear it for the algorithm

[@leeking6939]

Algorithm is working extra hard

[@joeshaves1633]

Yep😂

[@flannel7977]

Yes sir. Not the first video of his I’ve been recommended

[@icyman2]

Probably

[@leanneroyle925]

"The way to a man's soul is through his stomach"

[@vienchiez3954]

Lol underrated comment

[@vienchiez3954]

Lol underrated comment

[@jpcaretta8847]

So french !

[@jakelingo7533]

I'll take dumplings and Sake, please.

[@doragonsureia7288]

That's why food is the best way of becoming friends or making someone happy. Food is the key to success

[@costinpatru5450]

Harakiri: Do It Yourself Seppuku: Ask a Friend Me: an unsophisticated Gaijin

[@stevenjohnson2273]

Is that your final answer?

[@antonioguamil3275]

Harakiri: Voluntary Seppuku: Imposed Gaijin:Bakakiri

[@opticalraven1935]

Laughs in Norse.

[@hiyoku_no_tori]

Hotel: Trivago

[@mikepenny8940]

Laughs in Gaelic

[@sammichslayer2470]

Interestingly, the ancient Greeks considered the liver to be the house of the soul. The dichotomy of unique, yet similar in ancient cultures never ceases to amaze me. Great video, you’ve earned a subscription from me sir.

[@maddiewadsworth4027]

The taoists in China also consider the liver to be where the ethereal soul resides

[@Zthewise]

This gives me an idea for D&D for a group of warriors that eat the livers of their slain foes as to gain that person's essence and make themselves stronger.

[@grantorino2325]

I heard that the Greeks considered the diaphragm to be the seat of consciousness. Thus the word for "mind" (phrenos) being the same as the word for "diaphragm."

[@lanmao2]

@@grantorino2325 not exactly. The word "phren" meant diaphragm and generally the heart and the upper body's organs but later it also meant "mind" which was used more frequently I'd say. So it's just that this word (phren) shares these two meanings, it's not that they think specifically the diaphragm in our bodies is the seat of consciousness, regardless of how it acquired the second meaning. Of course there could be a "connection" between these meanings but it's unspecified so if you could tell me where you've heard that please to look into it. Also the main and primary word for mind in Greek is "nous", the word phren but in its other tenses is used for certain phrases.

[@grantorino2325]

@@lanmao2 Ah, kind of like how ‘phobos’ (depending on the context) meant either ‘fear’ or ‘admiration’. Hence, "[T]hat the wife fear her husband."

[@alexispaterson814]

From a rainy Scotland, I would like to say Thank you for helping me pass a boring day.

[@Volundur9567]

There was a Japanese restaurant that had traditional art depicting the act, right at the hibachi. We all got sick because of the undercooked chicken (saw the guy doing it, didn't question it), so it got called among us all "Seppuku Garden." It was actually called Sakura Garden or something like that.

[@iceebearhawaii1735]

I thought it was called "Yuckytori Gardens", bwaahaahaa!!

[@tylergabriel561]

Glad they didnt have online games back then. Otherwise everyone would be pulling the sashi-bara card

[@ninepuchar1]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@amsyarzero]

CoD lobbies be like

[@alucarderipmavtube]

No U.

[@R-E-Tudor]

My great grandfather collected a lot of old swords and guns etc. When he died my grandparents sold all of it, which really upset me when I found out as there were apparently a couple of katanas that were at least a couple hundred years old. Thankfully, I later found what my grandfather said was a Harakiri dagger and I’ve still got it to this day. It’s probably my most prized possession tbh 😅

[@renamariea7014]

Maam can you show it to me please?

[@semutkecik168]

Woah geez thts cool

[@theenzoferrari458]

Modern katana swords are mass produced and aren't made traditionally hardly anymore. Want a authentic one that will slice anything and I mean anything with just a flick of the wrist? Prepare to spend thousands of dollars. Want a cheap made katana that's made in a stamp? Spends hundreds and it'll dull and break after a few strikes.

[@blair5475]

@@theenzoferrari458 Why old katanas so sharp?

[@theenzoferrari458]

@@blair5475 I guess you didn't understand. Stamped metal is cheap and uses bad metallurgy.

[@leochavolla2263]

Awesome video! I'm curious as to why seppuku and harakiri are written with the same symbols but sound completely different

[@LetsaskShogo]

Thank you so much for leaving a comment! That is because of how Japanese kanji characters are read. Japanese Kanji has two ways of reading and they are called “On - yomi” and “Kun - yomi”. “On - yomi” is based on the way of reading in Chinese and “Kun - yomi” is the Japanese original reading. So "harakiri" is "Kun - yomi", and "seppuku" is "On - yomi"!

[@jasonlieberman4606]

I think most people who study the language probably trip over this at some point. The reply addressed it pretty well, but it's interesting just how common it is. I'm curious about the history of why, after adopting the Chinese characters for their own writing system, the Japanese continued using their own pronunciation for many words while using rough Chinese pronunciation for others. The writing system has evolved a lot through time, but these differences remain so common in everyday speech and writing. I've scratched my head over it a bit, and I'm gonna search for good info on how it got to be this way. It could make a good video 🙂

[@theharper1]

Great information! Personally I find the style of constantly changing the crop to bounce the speaker in and out to be really irritating though.

[@현현이-x8h]

I think the concept is a bit harder for us to grapple with since we use an alphabet instead of logographs/symbols to write our language; but there are similar concepts in English, in particular. Just like Japanese is a native language to itself which borrowed a lot of vocabulary from Chinese, English is a Germanic language which borrowed a lot of vocabulary from French and Latin. Many academic words in Japanese have Chinese borrowed words (but pronounced in a Japanese way, for example “heaven” in Chinese and Japanese are the same character, 天, but modern Mandarin speakers would say tiān, while Japanese speakers would say ten). This is just like how many academic words in English come from French/Latin. This might be a good example: the Germanic English word “water” is often called “aqua” in other contexts. Usually not on its own, but if you’re making a scientific term, you would want to say “aqua-“ as in aquatic, aquifer, or aqueduct. Sometimes we even use the Greek root for water: hydra. As in hydrophilic or hydrophobic. In Japanese, “water” looks like 水, but in Japanese, this little symbol can be read either in the original Japanese way (mizu) or with the sometimes fancier (su, based on the Chinese pronunciation). The Chinese pronunciations, called “on-yomi,” are often used when reading a word as a more technical term (not always though). You just have to recognize the word when you see it. For example, if you saw “水ifer” and knew that “水” has something to do with water/aqua, you would recognize “水ifer” as a fun wordplay which means “aquifer.” If you saw “水park,” you would read it as “water park.” Same symbol, just different when sounded out as part of a word.

[@gateauxq4604]

@ 현현이 thanks, thats a really helpful explanation of how to distinguish the pronunciation of kanji!

[@UNJELL]

I was waiting for the Yukio Mishima story at any moment. Great video as always, I didn't know about the fan, that's like a "save at least some honor" card.

[@deanfunk8448]

Check out the stories of Yukio Mishima and Yasunari Kawabata to get a taste of Japan.

[@AJDraws]

Love the clarification of confusing and easy to misunderstand or overlook differences in what many people never really explain. One of the many reasons I love this channel.

[@jasonlieberman4606]

Samurai: cuts stomach Helper: severs head Samurai: dies obviously Inspector: *let's check to be sure*

[@punlovincriminal5564]

If there was a sports commentator enthusiastically commentating on the action, that would just make it complete.

[@-smp-scientificmethodpersp838]

The head can stay alive after decapitated for a few minutes

[@pitmezzari2873]

The head wasn't severed completely, as it would have been dishonorable for it to be separated from the body, so they would cut through the back of the neck and through the spine but not all the way. That's what I read.

[@Neku628]

@@-smp-scientificmethodpersp838 didn't that happen with Queen Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution? Her eyes blinked before she died.

[@-smp-scientificmethodpersp838]

@@carlcarus7409 we have footage of terrorists and cartel members cutting off heads, holding them up, and the eyes and mouth moving. There is no absolute data, especially in old times, that the head wasn't still thinking.

[@joseangeles8382]

I also read somewhere that folding fans were invented in Japan. In China, the fans were the paddle-like fans or with feathers. Later on, folding fans made their way back to China from Japan, and then to the rest of the world 😗

[@LetsaskShogo]

Thank you so much for leaving a comment! I’ve heard about that too, but I haven’t had a chance to actually study about it... thank you so much I’ll do some research!

[@Ming1975]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Chinese fans where paddles/fly swatters too. LoL!

[@Aznbomb3r]

@@LetsaskShogo Yes, the folding fan was invented in Japan and became extremely popular in China 200+ years later in the Song Dynasty.

[@jorgeferrosuarez6989]

There's a legend that explains the origin of folded fans. It sais that it was created by a craftsman from Tanba province, who lived during the reign of Tanchi Emperor(662-671) in the Asuka period. This man had the opportunity to observe the wing of bat and its folding features. That gave him the idea for making a more practical, portable desing, rather than the old one, imported from China, which became cumbersome when not being used. This type of fan was called "komori", that means bat in Japanese

[@KasumiRINA]

I've also read than feather fans were not a thing in feudal Japan, only folding ones.

[@havaltherock]

Man: *Gets his head cut off* Other people: Idk man Lets wait for the inspector to see if he he is dead.

[@tsg_frank5829]

Well, even after your head has been cut you don't just immediately die

[@aldyhabibie9717]

I guess its just for a formality since its such an importan ritual to officially declare of someone's death and make sure the word gets around that the seppuku was done to those who cant see it or those who are not presence at the time of the Seppuku.

[@xavierfranco5800]

Anywhere you go, the coroner needs to officially declare that you're dead in order for you to be legally dead. This is no different.

[@Hiimuhimu]

In some, or most countries, you arent officially dead until doctor pronounce that you are dead.

[@zzzlikeaboszzz]

More likely the inspector will check whether the honorable man is dead or still suffering from unclean cut of the helper. Cutting one head is not easy if untrained or lack of experience, in some case the sword will not pass the neck and stuck between C5 and C6 leaving the poor guy either faint from shock or you know, lots of scream

[@cazador1022]

Anjinsan brought me here

[@MrJonesCEO]

Anjin-dono??

[@PROVOCATEURSK]

Fuji-sama best nun.

[@phoenix0000]

ANJIN-SAMA*

[@jasonvazquez2563]

Me too😂

[@キラキラくりくり頭]

​@@phoenix0000 also, Anjin dono

[@VintageExplorer666]

You have to have the guts to do it.

[@bmw335hdk2]

"A brave man is who can turn shame, humility to a life greatness." - Rurouni Kenshin

[@iceebearhawaii1735]

Have the other guy be great and I will slink away for a long life?

[@reyshimararguelles7480]

Samurai: Man, it's a hot day. Let me just take this random fan and- Kaishaku: Surprise, mfkr!

[@stephanienarvaez5774]

😂😂😂

[@lucydean4028]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mac9162]

Lmao

[@HIBA_DA_LOLICON]

Bruh

[@futsk01]

Hey, at least it was honourable!

[@austencourpet]

If I remember correctly from my History of Samurai class, I was taught that Seppuku was the ritualistic form and Harakiri was an almost slang way to refer to ritualistic suicide. Of course just like words today change their meaning over time these terms could have had a similar transformation.

[@justa.american8303]

Thank you for the clarification. I have studied Japanese culture since my college years, and your information has proven valuable in all aspects of understanding a rich and diverse culture.

[@alexandermashin5515]

This video lacks a demonstration.

[@joeydiaz5927]

I agree.

[@TheSpanishAnnounceTable]

Oh lord😂

[@fearlessjoebanzai]

It's on his first and last patreon.

[@lostpony4885]

Its in the directors cut

[@PedroDePacaz]

You can do it at home

[@qplatium9381]

KZbin algorithm : Hey, wanna know what's the difference between cutting the stomach and stomach cutting? Me: hmmmm, interesting. *Still a nice video tho, thanks samurai man!

[@NJDJ1986]

That's how i was brought here too. I've been looking for this channel for months. I just didn't know what this channel's name

[@pingui41]

Exactly. And our brain is like: You have to watch this, it's interesting and educational! Me: But... Brain: You have to watch it. Now! Me: okay brain...

[@LetsaskShogo]

What else are you interested about "samurai culture"?

[@matthewfalter6366]

Kimono, hakama, and all the little samurai {♡¤@Cces$or°es☆>}

[@vogel2499]

Maybe Bushido, and whether it's actually relevant for Samurai.

[@schnoz2372]

@Black Solid the practices of western culture are just as ugly if you're honest

[@nobairavare]

Can you make a video about foreign samurais?

[@busyjt]

Would somebody be as short as Tom Cruise be allowed to be a samurai?

[@MidoriyamaRArekusu]

Interesting; when I first heard of Harakiri when I was young, I only understood it as the general act of suicide, a few years later I learned of the practice of slicing the stomach and being decapitated from a program where the character referred to it as “seppuku”, so I came to associate seppuku with the specific practice of stomach cutting and harakiri as being a catch all suicide term.

[@norsevapour2478]

As a teenager, i’ve always been fasinated with Japan. Everything from art, how your way of life is. It’ll be years, but i made up my mind to go to Japan before i pass on from this life. Such a beautiful country ❤

[@deadbrother5355]

I appreciate how you study, practice and share ancient aspects of your culture. I really respect Japanese culture for the emphasis on manners, honor, and quality to name a few.

[@beartech28]

Wow that’s a lot deeper than I thought, cutting the place where your soul resides. Thank you for this video.

[@Ming1975]

Many making fun of the death inspector. I think his the official who issues the death certificate like what we have now as well, it's the law to prevent identity theft.

[@KasumiRINA]

@Kuya Al plus a death can be faked, even beheading, stage magicians can do it!

[@BoundInChains]

2:29 Bonus footage: *How to sneeze in Samurai.* Freakin' made my day! lol

[@sharonrigs7999]

Great video! I truly appreciate you spilling your guts on this topic

[@reedr7142]

Love the innocuous sound effects you use. Great video.

[@Natto-Over-Rice]

I love your videos relating to tea ceremonies. I would like to learn more about it 😊

[@LetsaskShogo]

Thank you so much for leaving a comment! I will be sure to make more videos about tea ceremonies. I already have plans to talk about the history of tea ceremonies, facts about tea ceremonies that not many people know about, and introducing the tools and items you use! I hope you can look forward to it!

[@moali9765]

@@LetsaskShogo I would appreciate it lot! and I would be greatly thankful in you talk about the tea bowl and pot & their importannce. Is it true that Sen No Rikyu was ordered to commit Seppuku becuase Hideyoshi wanted a special Chawan he had? Also, Hisahide Matsunaga was offered his life in exchange of his famous Tea pot, which he blew himself with. Is this accurate? Thank you again & I wish you reach your goal soon!

[@germanshepherd2701]

I’ve actually never heard the word Harakiri until this video. Me and everyone I know have only ever known it as Seppuku haha thank you for this video!

[@thomasluffiii]

Right!!!

[@kurokoro]

Heard it while playing mk deception or armageddon on ps2.

[@Dimetropteryx]

Harakiri was the word everyone used in my circles. Learned the word seppuku when I was in my 20s.

[@Frog89mad]

@@Dimetropteryx same, i believe tekken 2 had the yoshimitsu move named as "harakiri" and would have been first time i learned about it

[@gorgo4910]

I’ve heard harakiri in movies.

[@CeltKnight]

I have also heard that sometimes a samurai would take their blade (usually the wakazashi) and place it against their abdomen, either making only a shallow scratch or no wound at all, but would bow over which was the signal to the kaishaku to do their job. So, they got the honor of dying without having to actually slice open their own bellies as (again, so I've heard) and my understanding was that this was generally considered okay, at least toward the end of the Edo period. Anyway, fascinating information. Thank you.

[@kencross25]

Thank you for clarifying the difference between Harakiri and Seppuku. The movies, during different eras, that I have watched in my life left me with many questions about samurais committed suicide.

[@davekennedy6315]

Wow, you wanted 10,000 subscribers by July 2021 and here we are only in January 2024 and you have 1.72 MILLION!!!!!!! Very well done, your success is truly staggering in such a short time!

[@georgebrown6013]

Excellent presentation. You’re a natural born teacher.

[@martinbudinsky8912]

Honestly I have had this question about whats the difference quite a long time. Its nice to finaly know the answer. They are pretty much the same thing! :D Thank you. And knowing the background is also quite good.

[@MrGREY-bs9lu]

My iaido sensei told me that a kaishaku should leave a sliver of skin on the samurai's neck, so that his head wasn't entirely cut off, so it would fall in the lap of the samurai. He said that was what made the difference between the honorable head cutting done by a kaishaku, vs the dishonorable head cutting done by an executioner in the streets. He showed me the technique with the daito, and the trick not to cut the entire head off was in swinging the sword in one hand, but grabbing it, stopping it from going all the way through, with the left hand.

[@jamesbaggett7223]

I read this in the Hagakure

[@timalice-2833]

I studied iaijutsu and was told the same thing. Which ryu did you study? Mine was eishin ryu

[@MrGREY-bs9lu]

@@timalice-2833 Mine was also Eishin Ryu

[@timalice-2833]

@@MrGREY-bs9lu no wonder that we both know the same thing about this

[@ColoradoStreaming]

It is believed the reports of Admiral Yamamoto's death were fabricated in that they said he was found still sitting in the chair of the plane holding his Katana. In reality he was probably in pieces strewn across the wreckage.

[@arogue469]

It has been my understanding that the person committing Harakiri did not simply slash across their stomach, but that there was a specific pattern that they would follow. As I remember it, they would cut across the lower abdomen from left to right, then upwards on a diagonal to the midpoint, and then straight up to the sternum. It was a measure of honor, how far they could proceed before succumbing to their wound and the pain.

[@julierobertson148]

This video was extremely interesting and educational. I had a vague idea of the reason and ritual but this explanation added history, understanding, and depth. Thank you.

[@lynda.grace.14]

Is it correct that when women took their lives this way they would bind their legs together at the knees so that their legs would not open in an undignified manner? I was told this about a decade ago by a Japanese woman who was an opera enthusiast and wished that this detail would be observed in performances of Puccini's Madame Butterfly.

[@JeffReeves]

It's great that you have a fascination with this. I've been a fan of Japanese culture and history for over 20 years, and can shed some light on this subject. Women didn't often commit seppuku. If a girl was born into a noble family they would be raised with the information on how to "gracefully" commit suicide, along with a wide range of other subjects they taught on how to being a sophisticated lady. The instructions for suicide would include things like you mentioned; tying the legs together before kneeling, so that they would not be found by anyone in a unseemly way after death. The actual method of suicide though was most often poison or the slitting an artery with a knife. Alternatively, if no other methods were available and capture by an enemy was inevitable, they were instructed to bite their own tongues off so that they would bleed to death. This secondary method could even be done while captured. That all said, most noble women would be instructed to flee a castle or stronghold long before being under siege from battle, and the need for suicide would be prevented entirely. They would be sent to safe places along with other important members of noble families and other important dignitaries. This prevented the potential for any of them to be captured, preventing ransoms needing to be paid for their safe return.

[@lynda.grace.14]

@@JeffReeves Thank you for the additional information. Fascinating details for a subject that doesn't usually get addressed with specifics. It's never been the sort of matter that I have studied nor do I raise in conversation. Seems both too macabre and indelicate as well as a possible and unwelcome trigger for others. This thread, however, is the perfect place to address it.

[@cxhaaren1]

こんにちわ　しょごさん　I have read that the assistant かいしゃく　did not cut through the head entirely as it would be a disgrace to have the head rolling away from the body. Instead he would cut the head in such way that it would partly stick to the torso with some skin. That made it very difficult to be the assistant and shameful if he did not perform it in the right way

[@Llyd_ApDicta]

Was about to post the same. I believe that is a major detail that is often overlooked when this is portrayed in movies and so on. From what I have read, the samurai was expected to not show any signs of pain when cutting his stomach and when the pain got too much he would bow his head which signaled the helper to sever the spine but leave the head still attached to the body. Apparently it did occur that the helper was asked to commit seppuku as well when he performed poorly.

[@augustely1844]

Culture of death wonderful kamikaze daesh

[@ufc990]

From what Ive read theres some conflict. In some places it was actually the opposite of what you state, the assistant was to sever the head completely in one strike and to not do so would be shameful. In others the point was to sever the spinal cord and not completely decapitate. I think it has to do with the date, with the earlier(late 16th to mid 17th) accounts calling for complete decapitation.

[@bluehemlock1156]

I've seen that it was completed leaving the head spine severed but some skin connecting, so that the head is attached. Having the head totally severed made too much of a mess or even could hit the onlookers

[@ufc990]

@@bluehemlock1156 I dont think that would be so effective since the carotid arteries are only just forward of vertebrae and one branch goes through it so they'd likely still be bleeding. Besides the pressure wouldn't be great enough to hit anyone watching unless they were awkwardly close.

[@jakailahewitt6306]

Thoroughly enjoyed this! Was informative, and done in a seamless format.

[@crackerbarrel6965]

I’ve always wondered about this. Lost many sleepless nights pondering this very thought. Also about that Calgon commercial from the ‘70’s, but I digress.

[@thedungeondadster4460]

Man, you’ve come a long long way from this aiming for 10 K sitting at 1.7 million you’re the best!

[@ReapWhatYaSow]

I am an American from the Midwest. I am familiar with Seppuku. I have never heard of Harakiri till this video.

[@manbearmartialarts250]

Greetings I am a student of Okinawan weapons. And it would like to say I enjoyed this video and has given me a better understanding of the Samurai culture

[@theradgegadgie6352]

Budokan?

[@tomoyayamaguchi9712]

HEYYY I'M YAMAGUCHI TOO and we were both born and raised in same place, execpt I'm from Arizona afterwards- Tomoya Yamaguchi

[@davidva8694]

Interesting recommended video for the week of Christmas 🤔

[@zambonibob2026]

Glad I found this video, my parents and I watched Shogun together and they were very confused and disturbed by this ritual, but with this they can at least get some sort of understanding.

[@herrberg8962]

Finally, a comprehensive how-to about this subject

[@matthewfalter6366]

7:33 scientists call the stomach the second brain because of how much information is sent through nerves to/from there

[@hoodyk7342]

I shall remmebr this lol

[@BleachBasket108]

The intestines probably have more going on than the stomach - the mesenteric plexus is extremely complicated and can function pretty autonomously

[@tadashihatsudai]

I noticed that some English speakers misuse the word "seppuku" sometimes when talking about things such as suicide in 21st century Japan when the more general term of suicide is used, which is "jisatsu/自殺".

[@vonspeedwagon1466]

Thank you for this video. I wanted to make sure that I was following the traditions and doing it correctly. 10/10 guide

[@FerretKibble]

Where did you get your fan?

[@darrenmurray861]

As a teen, when practising Iaido, I often pondered going through the ceremony, since it was one that was discussed with multiple senseis. Such a gruesome ceremony, yet one that allowed for a final act of compassion to be given. Truly a trope of Shinto and Buddhism’s coexistence.

[@HCroaks]

This was a super informative and well made video.

[@ChonmageXIV]

Mishima Yukio. A man out of his own time, his words fell on deaf ears.

[@beatfromjetsetradio8239]

I feel as though learning Bushido from you would be a joy.

[@tonysmith9905]

Until you f up and it times to open up that stomach

[@FYMASMD]

Bullshido. Steven Seagals specialty.

[@ОлександрПарасоткін]

Thank you for the video! I think harakiri of Shimizu Muneharu says not only of his bravery, but also a sence of honesty in nobles when you can trust that promise of your enemy to spare lifes of your soldiers will not be broken after your death.

[@TanukiOkiyo]

Ive been watching “Shogun” on Hulu and this video popped up in my newsfeed . Subscribed !

[@rainmabon8232]

I had actually learned about both terms at the same time when I was studying Samurai some years ago. However I remember the material I had acess to mentioned that "Seppuku" was considered the more formal usage where as "Hara Kiri" was considered slang. Thank you once again for broadening my knowledge as always.

[@captsorghum]

Wouldn't surprise me if harakiri was originally used as a euphemism in order to avoid the blunt language where necessary.

[@Bellasie1]

I always thought that "harakiri" is the word used abroad because at the time, Japanese was always read from right to left, so most probably the foreigners who were in Japan back then trying to decipher Japanese would have read "harakiri" in kun-yomi and in reverse instead of "seppuku". I'd love for Shogo-san to answer me on this one, if Shogo-san gets to read this comment of course.

[@timbo853]

Samurai when they commit suicide: honorable Western cultures when someone commit suicide: cowardice It’s interesting how different cultures can change the outlook on something like that so drastically.

[@dirtedirte8771]

The west commits suicide over emotions and loss of person or items These dudes did it when there was an extreme loss to protect honor

[@ulfberht4431]

@@dirtedirte8771 Yeah but honour is just a fancy way to say “I can get away with anything as long as I can make it sound like it’s part of my culture or nature”. Regardless of whether you still think suicide in Japan is honourable or not, it’s immoral and unethical. Honour is perverted to mean someone who can get away with doing dastardly things to themselves. Rather than killing one’s self just to preserve a monarchy that could be corrupted, try to find ways of living, understand what you value when you remain alive and know that overcoming hardships can lead to a much more honourable way of protecting your family and your legacy.

[@dirtedirte8771]

@@ulfberht4431 that’s an awful mouthful ... they literally saw it as a position to hold honor that’s how they saw it bud

[@zoolkhan]

a very shallow look at things. it is all about context and intent - suicide can be honorable - or it can be cowardish ; it depend on the motive. fleeing from your life instead trying harder - thats one thing and rather cowardish, (i dont mean to judge, i was thinking about that shortcut myself a couple of times) But suiciding because that saves the lives of your troops - honorable. A whole different thing. when that happens in europe, or on the moon - it will be equally honorable as if when it happened in japan - provided the motives are similar.

[@dirtedirte8771]

@@ulfberht4431 you do not get to judge what is immoral and unethical because your standards are not theirs and vice versa .. TrY AGaIn

[@EduardoLuna120291]

I just finished watching the original Hara-Kiri directed by Masaki Kobayashi, and the remake directed by Takashi Miike, and this video was a perfect epilogue. I've seen a couple of your other videos, and I have to say that you do great work. Very clear explanations of heavy cultural topics.

[@charleslord2433]

Thank you for this explanation. I have always heard of harakiri but seppuku was a new word to me when I read and watched "Man in the High Castle". Now I understand the difference and why the ritual was as presented in the fictional post WWII military occupation of the US.

[@topa1798]

Thank you for the details explaination and deepen our understanding,samurai way is fascinating 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@UpNorthEmmet]

Thank you for a great explanation! Great to see a fellow Michigander!

[@derrickmapp2391]

i have always wondered how Mishima's seppuku is/has been viewed. It's often presented as being a very revolutionary act and shocking. Are there other modern examples of this in Japanese history?

[@samkaminski8421]

Kinda wild that when you flip the kanji the word changes entirely, rather than the phonetic sounds flipping.

[@kyleethekelt]

This was fascinating. Though I've read 'Shogun', this adds wonderfully interesting and authentic detail to Clavell's research. Thank you for enlightening us. Kia ora.

[@gateauxq4604]

This might be odd to say on this video but youre the purest youtuber I’ve seen in a long time. 🙂 Looking forward to more videos.

[@alianar.d.8724]

I just recently found your channel, and I just wanna say you're a very cool guy

[@krissblade]

I love your videos! OMG I laughed at the part you stumbled over the word self-determination because I had replaced it unconsciously with self-Extermination in my mind. I think Japan is one of the only cultures to raise suicide or when someone orders suicide to a ritual and honor. Language wise, Seppuku feels more formal with harakiri feeling like a more informal reference, like Onaka ga suita and Hara ga heta. What a painful way to die.

[@Jizzlewobbwtfcus]

I have always wanted to know this!!! I have always loved the beautiful, violent and fascinating history of Japan. My fave new channel. Subbed!

[@destonlee2838]

Concise, thorough. Excellent discussion of the topic

[@Fuzz82]

I heard that the helper practiced to make sure the head would gently fall in front of the samurai comitting Harakiri. A full cut would send the head rolling, which doesn't look very graceful.... So instead, he tried making a cut that would leave the last bit of skin attached. Which could be severed with a small second cut.

[@VeerleTakino]

I recall in Tsunetomo's "Hagakure", he mentions that, while one should never refuse if asked to be kaishaku for someone, it's best to avoid being asked, because you gain nothing if it goes well, but any mistakes are severely dishonoring and you'll probably have to perform seppuku yourself 😬

[@9thteardropgameteller601]

What a perfect vid!! Informative Easy to understand Funny Editing Immersive

[@VanDamage88]

Dude you came in clutch when I was trying pronounce the words on your thumb nail and then hit play. Great video.

[@bevinboulder5039]

I'd say you've more than reached your goal. I'm watching this on 4/20/24 and you have 1.74 million subscribers. Congratulations on the success of your channel. I've watched two so far and they've both been very informative.

[@nicapangilinan4416]

My Todai-educated Asian Studies grad school professor forbid us from using the term “harakiri” as it is politically incorrect (accdg to her).

[@TheWolf-xe2kz]

Tell her that she is a sensitive degenerate that is ruining your country.

[@julietblack1831]

What else did she also forbid to say?

[@selenagamya1612]

That's like American cancel culture insisting you say "person of color" instead of "colored person".

[@fatspyro4630]

@@selenagamya1612 exactly.

[@chucarnaj21]

i learned senppuku first, then harakiri. just assumed it was a more propper way to name the action. i always thought of it as a ceremony or action of maintaining their honor much as the civil war era. so... the fan in theater is an all in one prop. clever

[@LetsaskShogo]

Thank you so much for watching my video and leaving a comment!

[@masekologi]

I think it's still practiced long after meiji era, especially after Japan lost WWII, many officers and soldiers commited harakiri.

[@kath5201]

Wonder if the Kamakazi pilots actually were formally suiciding by crashing their plane into warships?

[@BigHenFor]

Not as a method of execution though. After the Meji period one could not be ordered to do so. As a form of suicide it was, and still can be chosen by anyone so minded to do.

[@simply_sara_69]

Wow! Thank you for this educational video, Shogo. Until now, I had no understanding of the tradition except from two movies, I think one was either Tora Tora Tora or Bridge Over River Kwai & for sure, 47 Ronin; but you explained the tradition in depth whereas the two movies only showed the act with the only indicators being to relieve the family or clan from losing all honor and belongings - lands, titles, etc...

[@leonardo47000]

You are a very cool guy, and very patient to try to explain a concept that without actually understanding it, I know in my heart is more convoluted than can really be explained. It is a cultural difference that makes it so difficult to bridge the concept. some things simply can’t be translated. , you have done an amazing job, and thank you for trying, and for being so specific and careful to bring us closer to an understanding of all things in your culture that you are presenting to us. I hope you are able to meet your goal! Please keep making wonderful videos.

[@stevewillardwillard1769]

You failed to mention the suicide of Yukio Mishima by seppuku in 1970.

[@malcombowser4335]

Shogun brought me here

[@Mjll]

I would actually say that "seppuku" is the more well-known word around the world than "harakiri". Probably because of the meme that was born out of the word seppuku, "I am going to commit sudoku"

[@emitain8408]

Never heard of seppuku until I started to learn Japanese. I did hear about harakiri before that though.

[@imwatchingyou994]

When i was a kid i had only heard of the term hara kiri. But after the big anime boom around 2005 i heard the term “seppuku” more often.

[@mjspice100]

It’s more likely that seppuku is known through Jame’s Clavell’s novel ‘Shogun’ which was made into a TV series

[@EinFelsbrocken]

*I HAVE NOTHING TO LIVE FOR*

[@nathanthom8176]

Also Yoshimitsu shouting it in Tekken helps.

[@talliloo666]

my son recently introduced me to your channel as he knows i have a great interest all aspects of japan. it was a lifetime dream to walk the path of the 88 temples in the shikoku islands when i retired but...alas! i developed a degenerative disease that affects my mobility so i had to throw that off my bucket list. your videos offer an opportunity to learn more about your history and culture and i look forward to seeing them all in the future

[@sttobbe]

I love that the sneeze was left in, it made me smile