HARA KIRI Meaning and
Definition
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Hara-kiri, also known as Seppuku, is a traditional form of Japanese ritual suicide practiced predominantly by samurais in feudal Japan. Derived from the Japanese words "hara" meaning abdomen, and "kiri" meaning cutting, it refers to the act of self-disembowelment, typically performed by samurais to restore their honor or demonstrate their loyalty when faced with disgrace or failure.
In this ancient custom, the samurai would typically perform the act using a small knife called a tantō. The ritual begins with the samurai ceremoniously preparing himself, symbolically severing ties with the mortal world. Then, with unwavering determination, he would plunge the tantō into his abdomen, slicing through the left side and making an upward motion before finally twisting the blade, causing a quick and fatal injury.
Hara-kiri is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture and is considered a solemn and honorable act, reflecting values such as loyalty, obedience, and dignity. It is seen as a means for the samurai to preserve their honor and to avoid bringing shame or dishonor to themselves, their family, or their lord.
While hara-kiri has significantly declined in practice over the years and has been abolished as a legal act in modern Japan, it continues to hold a powerful place in Japanese history and cultural consciousness, serving as a symbol of self-sacrifice, honor, and unwavering loyalty.
Common Misspellings for HARA KIRI
- hara-kiri
- hara-kira
- harakari
- hari kari
- gara kiri
- bara kiri
- nara kiri
- jara kiri
- uara kiri
- yara kiri
- hzra kiri
- hsra kiri
- hwra kiri
- hqra kiri
- haea kiri
- hada kiri
- hafa kiri
- hata kiri
- ha5a kiri
- ha4a kiri
Etymology of HARA KIRI
The term "hara-kiri" is actually a Westernized version of the Japanese phrase "切腹" (seppuku). The word "seppuku" consists of two kanji characters: "切" (se) meaning "cut", and "腹" (fuku) meaning "belly".
The term "hara-kiri" emerged during the Meiji era (1868-1912) when Japan began opening itself to the Western world. At that time, Westerners found the concept of ritual suicide quite intriguing but had difficulty pronouncing the Japanese phrase correctly. As a result, "seppuku" was romanized and pronounced as "hara-kiri" in English.
"Hara" refers to the abdomen, while "kiri" can be translated as "cut" or "slice".
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