Seppuku vs. Harakiri: What's the Difference?

Ritual suicide by disembowelment formerly practiced by Japanese samurai. Also called hara-kiri.

Alternative spelling of hara-kiri

A form of ritual suicide by disembowelment using a blade, practiced by Japanese samurai, especially to rid oneself of shame, as a means of protest, or, formerly, as a method of capital punishment.

A ritual form of suicide, by slashing the abdomen, formerly practiced in Japan, and commanded by the government in the cases of disgraced officials; disembowelment; - also written, but incorrectly, hari-kari.

Same as Hara-kiri.

Ritual suicide by self-disembowelment on a sword; practiced by warriors in the traditional Japanese society