It is a tameshigiri (test cutting) method for katanas in olden days. the mound of sand is supposed to raise the target's body into 'correct' height in which the katana swing could be performed at full power. Unlike with the seiza sitting execution method, doing it this style is easier because you can line up the vertebrae in a way that you only need to swing vertically with all your power to sever it, whereas in the former you need to take into consideration the curvature of the vertebrae, meaning you can't exert your full strength since you need to angle the swing otherwise you'll chip or even break the blade from hitting bone.
...uhhh... There are times where these are done to kidnapped civilians and such...
I hate to be that guy that dispute everything, but can I please have a source on that? It sounds like the kind of propaganda someone would make up during war to demonize people. ...then again, the Japanese did a lot of really fucked up stuff, even before WWII, so... Yeah, please send me a source if you have one. I need to be sure.
I hate to be that guy that dispute everything, but can I please have a source on that? It sounds like the kind of propaganda someone would make up during war to demonize people. ...then again, the Japanese did a lot of really fucked up stuff, even before WWII, so... Yeah, please send me a source if you have one. I need to be sure.
We literally have a wikipedia page for it. Bear in mind, the article only lists 2 of the most famous events recorded in history. Smaller-time incidents are most likely not recorded, being the medieval period it happens in.
We literally have a wikipedia page for it. Bear in mind, the article only lists 2 of the most famous events recorded in history. Smaller-time incidents are most likely not recorded, being the medieval period it happens in.
Oh thank god, it's actually a crime. You made it sound like it was a common practice, but it's actually just a kind of murder.
Oh thank god, it's actually a crime. You made it sound like it was a common practice, but it's actually just a kind of murder.
I mean, being a crime and being common practice aren't mutually exclusive. That article only specifically lists two major examples, both of which occurred after it was outlawed and would have actually been worthwhile recording, but it does also claim that there was a period of time where it wasn't a crime.