English Dictionary

hara-kiri

noun

Ceremonial suicide by disembowelment, as by slicing open the abdomen with a dagger or knife: formerly practised in Japan by the Samurai when disgraced or sentenced to death.

Hara-kiri was a form of ritual suicide practiced by samurai in ancient Japan.

意味（1）

Ceremonial suicide by disembowelment, as by slicing open the abdomen with a dagger or knife: formerly practised in Japan by the Samurai when disgraced or sentenced to death.

On the downfall of his power in 1867 he was urged by one of his Council to save the honour of his family by a voluntary suicide. He flatly refused to do so and left the room, whereupon his faithful adviser retired to another part of the castle and solemnly performed the hara-kiri.

意味（2）

Suicide or any suicidal action.

意味（3）

(by extension, figuratively) An act against one's own interests.

Regarded logically, therefore, Japan’s decision to go to war made no sense. It was hara-kiri.