Tsujigiri

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Tsujigiri (辻斬 tsuji-giri, literally 'crossroads killing') is a Japanese term for a practice when someone, after receiving a new katana or developing a new fighting style or weapon, tests its effectiveness by attacking a human opponent. Originally, this practice took the form of traditional duels between bushi, but as the classical ideals of Bushidō were largely forgotten during the Edo Period, the mannerisms of Tsujigiri became increasingly dishonorable. By the 18th Century, it was not uncommon to hear of ronin ambushing unarmed peasants in the dark for simple amusement. A warrior who practiced this often would often be referred to as a Tsujigiri.

[edit] Philosophical Relevance

The practice of tsujigiri has been cited in the philosophical debate over moral relativism, notably by Mary Midgley in her 1989 work Can't We Make Moral Judgements?^[1]. It was used as an example of a custom which, despite being considered immoral by many observers with different cultural backgrounds, was at least at one time considered acceptable by those within the culture in which it obtained.