Harakiri is a Japanese samurai film released in 1962, directed by Masaki Kobayashi. The movie centers on the story of an aging samurai named Tsugumo Hanshiro, who requests permission from the Iyi clan to perform seppuku (ritual suicide) on their land. However, the request initially seems unusual since the Iyi clan has a reputation for being tough on samurai who are looking to use the honorable act of seppuku as a way to receive money or other rewards.
Hanshiro's story gradually unfolds as he shares his reasons for seeking death with the clan's officials. He reveals that he has heard of previous samurai who attempted to commit seppuku on clan land to receive financial reward but were forced to go through with the act and ultimately died miserably. Hanshiro convinces them to let him perform seppuku on clan land, but not without challenging the clan's notion of samurai honor and the ethics of forcing someone to commit ritual suicide.
As the story unfolds, the audience is taken back in time to witness the events that led to Hanshiro's desperation to perform seppuku. The film's themes include the notion of samurai honor, dignity, and death as well as the clash of traditional ways in a rapidly modernizing society.
Harakiri is known for its intense and graphic depiction of the seppuku ritual and its poignant storyline. The film won numerous awards and accolades, including the Jury Special Prize at the 1963 Cannes Film Festival.