Seppuku vs. Kamikaze — What's the Difference?

Seppuku (Japanese: 切腹, "cutting [the] belly"), sometimes referred to as Harakiri (腹切り, "abdomen/belly cutting", a native Japanese kun reading), is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. It was originally reserved for samurai in their code of honor but was also practiced by other Japanese people during the Shōwa period (particularly officers near the end of World War II) to restore honor for themselves or for their families.

Kamikaze (神風, pronounced [kamiꜜkaze]; "divine wind" or "spirit wind"), officially Shinpū Tokubetsu Kōgekitai (神風特別攻撃隊, "Divine Wind Special Attack Unit"), were a part of the Japanese Special Attack Units of military aviators who flew suicide attacks for the Empire of Japan against Allied naval vessels in the closing stages of the Pacific campaign of World War II, intending to destroy warships more effectively than with conventional air attacks. About 3,800 kamikaze pilots died during the war, and more than 7,000 naval personnel were killed by kamikaze attacks.Kamikaze aircraft were essentially pilot-guided explosive missiles, purpose-built or converted from conventional aircraft.

Ritual suicide by disembowelment formerly practiced by Japanese samurai. Also called hara-kiri.

A Japanese pilot trained in World War II to make a suicidal crash attack, especially upon a ship.

A form of ritual suicide by disembowelment using a blade, practiced by Japanese samurai, especially to rid oneself of shame, as a means of protest, or, formerly, as a method of capital punishment.

An airplane loaded with explosives to be piloted in a suicide attack.

Same as Hara-kiri.

(Slang) An extremely reckless person who seems to court death.

Of or relating to a suicidal air attack

(Slang) So reckless in behavior or actions as to be suicidal

An attack requiring the suicide of the one carrying it out, especially when done with an aircraft.

One who carries out a suicide attack, especially with an aircraft.

A vehicle used for a suicide attack, especially an aircraft.

(colloquial) One who takes excessive risks, as for example in a sporting event.

A cocktail made of equal parts vodka, triple sec and lime juice.

(surfing) A deliberate wipeout.

(transitive) To destroy (a ship, etc.) in a suicide attack, especially by crashing an aircraft.

(intransitive) To carry out a suicide attack, especially by crashing an aircraft.

To fail disastrously.

Suicidal, risking one's own life.

A fighter plane used for suicide missions by Japanese pilots in World War II

A pilot trained and willing to cause a suicidal crash