The Conundrum Of Valuing Seppuku And How A Prisoner's Last Meal Is Now Denied Them Before Their Execution In The United States Of America

The human stomach being cut into would cause much more pain then would easily be determined through media.  This has lead me to believe that when someone commits Seppuku they have just absolutely ripped themselves apart with more pain then many of them would tell us afterwards.  As a test to make sure my theory stands strong, lets see if google Gemini will reveal anything when I ask about it.

Me:  Tell me everything you know about seppuku

Google Gemini:

Seppuku (切腹, "cutting [the] belly"), also known more colloquially as hara-kiri (腹切り, "abdomen/belly cutting"), is a Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. It was a practice deeply ingrained in the code of honor of the samurai class in feudal Japan, though it was also sometimes performed by non-samurai for reasons of honor or protest.

Here's a breakdown of everything you should know about seppuku:

Meaning and Significance:

Honor: At its core, seppuku was a way for a samurai to die with honor rather than face capture after defeat in battle, endure shame for a misdeed, or as a form of protest. It was seen as a demonstration of courage, self-control, and unwavering resolve.

Bushido: The act was closely tied to Bushido, the ancient warrior code of the samurai, which emphasized honor, loyalty, and self-sacrifice.

Sincerity: Performing seppuku could also be a way to demonstrate the sincerity of one's remorse or the purity of one's intentions. It was believed by some that the soul resided in the abdomen, and by opening it, one could display their innermost being.

Capital Punishment: From the 15th century until its abolition in 1873, seppuku also served as an honorable form of capital punishment for samurai, sparing them the disgrace of being beheaded by a common executioner.

History and Evolution:

Origins: While legendary accounts exist earlier, the practice of seppuku as a distinct ritual is believed to have solidified during the 12th century, particularly during the Genpei War (1180-1185). The death of Minamoto no Yoshitsune by seppuku in 1189 is often cited as an influential event.

Kamakura Period (1185-1333): During this time, seppuku became more established as an honorable way for defeated samurai to die.

Edo Period (1603-1868): The ritualization of seppuku became highly elaborate during this long period of peace. It also evolved to be used as a form of capital punishment and even as a way to enforce the strict social hierarchy. Interestingly, a practice called "fan seppuku" (sensubara) emerged, where a fan symbolized the knife, and the kaishakunin would perform the decapitation as soon as the fan was touched, representing a more symbolic act to preserve honor.

Modern Era: While officially abolished, instances of seppuku occurred in the 20th century, most notably by General Nogi Maresuke in 1912 out of loyalty to the deceased Meiji Emperor and by the renowned author Yukio Mishima in 1970 as a protest against Japan's declining martial culture.

The Ritual:

The seppuku ritual could be a formal and elaborate affair, especially when performed as a form of capital punishment or a planned act of honor. Key elements often included:

Preparation: The person would often bathe, wear white robes (the color of death), and might be served a final meal {***This is Michael here.  Sorry to interject but I wanted to share a factoid about my country.  In The United States Of America, due to prisoners being perceived as somewhat taking advantage of the system through ordering outlandish meals just to get in a final 'screw you' to the system.

Me: In the united states of america, did the practice of not allowing a last meal for citizens originate in texas?

Google Gemini:

The practice of offering a "last meal" to condemned prisoners in the United States has a history stretching back centuries and is not believed to have originated in Texas. Its roots can be traced to ancient customs and religious traditions in various parts of the world.

However, Texas played a significant role in ending the tradition of customized last meal requests.

Here's the timeline and key points:

Longstanding Tradition: The tradition of offering a special meal before execution is an old one, rooted in various historical and cultural ideas, not specific to Texas. Some theories suggest it originated from the idea of providing sustenance for the journey to the afterlife or as a form of final ritual.

Texas's Involvement: Texas had a long-standing practice of allowing death row inmates to request a last meal. This tradition is thought to have been established in the state around 1924.

The Turning Point: In September 2011, Texas abolished the practice of customized last meals. This decision was a direct consequence of the actions of condemned prisoner Lawrence Russell Brewer.

Lawrence Russell Brewer's Case: Brewer, a white supremacist convicted of a brutal hate crime, ordered an elaborate and expensive last meal, including a triple-meat cheeseburger, two chicken fried steaks with gravy, pizza, fried okra, barbecue, and ice cream, among other items. However, when the meal was served, he refused to eat any of it, stating he wasn't hungry.

Public Outrage: This act sparked public outrage, particularly from the victim's family and Texas State Senator John Whitmire, who was vocal about his disapproval of the seemingly disrespectful request.

Policy Change: In response to this incident and the ensuing public outcry, Brad Livingston, then the Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, announced the immediate end to the practice of offering special last meals. Now, death row inmates in Texas receive the same meal served to the general prison population on the day of their execution.

Texas as the Exception: Following this change, Texas became the only death penalty state in the U.S. that does not offer customized last meals. Most other states still have some form of this tradition, although they often have restrictions on the cost, availability, and types of food that can be requested.

In conclusion, the tradition of the last meal did not originate in Texas. However, Texas is notable for being the state that discontinued the practice of allowing special last meal requests due to a specific incident in 2011.***}

, sometimes their favorite. They might also write a death poem (jisei).

Setting: The ritual typically took place in a formal setting, sometimes with witnesses present. A small table with a short sword or dagger (tanto or wakizashi) would be placed before the person.

The Cut: The central act involved taking the blade, often wrapped in cloth for a better grip, and plunging it into the left side of the abdomen. The blade would then be drawn across to the right and then upwards, making a horizontal and then vertical cut (often described as forming the shape of a "T" or a cross). More complex cuts, like the jumonji (十字, cross-shaped cut), were considered exemplary and more painful.

The Kaishakunin (Second): Due to the agonizing nature of seppuku, a designated assistant, usually a skilled swordsman and someone close to the person (a relative, friend, or loyal retainer), would often be present. Their role was to perform kaishaku – decapitating the person immediately after the initial cut to hasten their death and spare them prolonged suffering. A clean and swift decapitation was crucial for the kaishakunin to avoid bringing dishonor upon themselves and the person who committed seppuku. The head was often left attached by a small piece of skin to maintain a degree of decorum (dakikubi, "embraced head").

Variations: In battlefield situations or less formal settings, the ritual might be abbreviated, with the samurai simply disemboweling themselves and then sometimes stabbing themselves in the throat or falling onto their blade.

Seppuku for Women (Jigai):

While seppuku by disembowelment was a male samurai tradition, women of the samurai class sometimes practiced a form of ritual suicide called jigai (自害). This typically involved cutting the throat with a small dagger (tanto) or another sharp implement, often after tying their knees together to ensure a dignified posture in death.

In summary, seppuku was a deeply significant act in Japanese history, embodying the values of honor, courage, and self-sacrifice within the samurai code. While its practice has largely faded in modern times, it remains a powerful symbol of a bygone era and continues to be depicted in literature, film, and other forms of media, representing a unique and often misunderstood aspect of Japanese culture.