This thesis examines the decline and eventual abolition of seppuku during Japan's Meiji period. While seppuku is commonly understood as an integral element of samurai culture and bushido ideology, scholarly research on the specific circumstances and reasons for its abolition remains limited. To address this gap, this study aims to answer the following three research questions. First, it analyses the historical origins and evolution of the ritual over time. Second, it establishes when seppuku became a standardized and institutionalized practice. Finally, it evaluates the influence of Western diplomatic pressure, particularly from British officials, in the rituals decline and explores the connection between Japan's broader modernization efforts and the abandonment of seppuku as a practice. The thesis draws upon primary sources related to seppuku, biographical materials of key historical figures, and official records.
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