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The word jigai (自害) means "suicide" in Japanese. The usual modern word for suicide is jisatsu (自殺). Related words include jiketsu (自決), jijin (自尽) and jijin (自刃).
History
Since women belonging to samurai families did not have the right to perform seppuku, they committed suicide by cutting the arteries with one stroke, using a dagger. It was called jigai.
Before performing jigai, a woman would often tie her knees together so her body would be found in a dignified pose. The main purpose was to achieve a quick and certain death in order to avoid capture.
Popular culture
One of the famous jigai in popular culture is Madama Butterfly, an opera by Giacomo Puccini.
References
- "じがい 1 0 【自害】 - goo 辞書".
- Frédéric, Louis (2002). Japan Encyclopedia. Translated by Kathe Roth. Harvard University Press. p. 419.
- Hearn, Lafcadio (2005). Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation. Cosimo Inc. p. 315.
- Hosey, Timothy (1980). "Samurai Women". Black Belt. Rainbow Publications. p. 47.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - Rij, Jan Van (2001). Madame Butterfly: Japonisme, Puccini, and the Search for the Real Cho-Cho-San. Stone Bridge Press. p. 71.
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