HARAKIRI: Also called SEPPUKU, harakiri is a ritual method of suicide originally performed by disgraced SAMURAI and their retainers. Harakiri is actually a complex ritual which must be performed precisely. First, the person about to commit suicide composes a farewell poem to his loved ones. He then uses a small sword to disembowel himself. Generally, this cut is not deadly. He is expected to fall forward on his face while a close friend uses a large sword to decapitate him. Harakiri was so ingrained in the conscience of the SAMURAI that they were expected to always carry a pencil with them to compose their farewell poem.
