The Shogun’s Executioners

The Men Who Served as Otameshi Goyo, Official Sword Testers and Executioners

When a samurai committed seppuku, he was assisted by a kaishakunin, usually a friend or kinsman, someone known to the performer of seppuku. The kaishakunin was not an executioner, but an assistant in the act.

For actual executions, the Shogunate turned to a particular “family”.