Harakiri

(腹切) A ritual suicide with Japanese origins. Traditionally, it is done in a spiritually clean temple by cutting open ones stomach with a wakisashi, thereby releasing the soul. At the same time a friend severs the head for an instant death. Harakiri was traditionally used as the ultimate protest when ones own morals stood in the way of executing an order from the master. Harakiri is sometimes refered to as Seppuku? (disembowelment).