also: あしきり
noun
cutting off a foot; foot amputation (ancient Chinese punishment)
Historical term referring to one of the five severe punishments (五刑) in ancient China. Rarely used in modern Japanese except in historical or legal history contexts.
See also: 五刑
古代中国の五刑の一つに剕という足を切る刑罰があった。
Among the five punishments of ancient China was 剕 (hi), a punishment of cutting off a foot.
The five punishments of ancient China, of which 剕 is one. 五刑 is the broader category.
The kanji 剕 is composed of 非 (not, wrong) and 刂 (knife), suggesting punishment by cutting. The reading ひ is on'yomi; あしきり is a native Japanese reading literally meaning 'foot cutting'. The term is historically specific to ancient Chinese legal systems.