KIRISUTE GOMEN : Authorization to slash and leave

This article is about the rights of the ruling class, the Samurai, in feudal times in Japan.

“切り捨て御免Kirisute Gomen” is called “authorization to cut and leave” in English.

It was one of the rights that only Samurai had in the past. According to the English Wikipedia, Samurai had the right to strike with sword at anyone of a lower class who compromised their honor.

It’s scary. I saw Samurai slash rude residents in movies and TV many times.

However, carrying out the authorization is more difficult than we, modern-day people expect.

Certainly they were given the authorization, but if they really did it, they were required to report it to an official, showing some evidence that they were right, along some witness.

If the official rejected the application, the applicant would be punished. In the worst case, they would have capital punishment. In fact, it was not easy to use the authorization.

In addition, slashing residents of other area was more difficult. Because it could have been received as a violation to other area's lord.

Despite that, they seem to be able to do that easily in movies and TV.