Nōguroshi

**Nōguroshi** [跃崔; のうぐろし] is a form of ritual repentence performed by those burdened with dishonour or shame. It was originally reserved for the *sai* warrior class, along with soldiers, but was later practiced by others to restore purity to themselves or their lineage. As a sai practice, *nōguroshi* was done in order to repent for one's shameful actions, either criminal or offensive to one's lord, and was overseen by both a priest and the individual's lord or commander. The ritual could vary slightly from region to region, but would usually vary in severity depending on the level of offence one had caused. Battlefield *nōguroshi* (known as *nitta nōguroshi*) was carried out in order to cleanse oneself in anticipation of death or torture at the hands of the enemy, and did not ordinarily serve as a form of repentence. In this scenario, the individual could choose ritual suicide, but this was considered very cowardly.

## History

Instances and accounts of nōguroshi date back to the early 12th century. It is thought that the practice began as a way of punishing peasants who had committed acts of offense against their overseers or landlords. By the 1400s, a more religiously-based form of nōguroshi became popular amongst monks, who used it as a method of punishment on those who had broken their vows or acted in a sinful way. The specific methods of punishment varied widely from region to region, until the mid-1500s when the practice was finally standardised to some degree. From that point onwards nōguroshi became a strict and very formal ritual, with deviation from the common framework heavily frowned upon.

By 1901, all forms of nōguroshi had been banned. However, the practice has survived even to the present day; it is often used by gangs and in crime syndicates to punish wayward members who have broken the rules.

## Ritual

By the late 1500s, carrying out nōguroshi came to involve specific rites which were directed by the priest. It was often performed in front of spectators: either the sai's lord, or his family. The warrior bathed and dressed in a white loincloth, signifying both vulnerability and purification. Sometimes, he was granted a 'last night' before the ceremony took place, which he was advised to spend in fervent worship. Before the execution, he would drink a cup of salt water, and light a stick of incense. The time it took for the incense to burn through was reserved for final prayer and a blessing said by the priest.

The incense having burned, the sai would cross his legs, pour a bowl of salt water over his head, and clasp his hands in silent prayer. The priest would summon the spirits in order to bear witness to the ritual and cleanse the man of his sins. During this time, another man, always higher-ranking than the one receiving punishment, would hand the sai a knife. The sai would then run the knife horizontally across the bridge of his nose, and deliver the same cut to the palm of his other hand. Although relatively painless in process, these wounds would leave noticeable scars, branding the warrior forever with his own shame. After this, the man would also shave his head bare.

Other more serious forms of punishment were used for more severe crimes. The rape or murder of a woman, for example, was punishable by death. Many offenses resulted in the prepetrator being branded or tattooed. Older or elderly men of status would undergo ritual drowning, due to their age and relative physical weakness.

It was also not uncommon for the wife of a shamed man to undergo a punishment of her own, usually involving shaving her hair completely as her husband did, and being forced to take a vow of silence for a certain period of time.