trial by boiling water; ordeal by hot water
Historical term for an ancient Japanese practice of determining guilt or innocence by having a person plunge their hand into boiling water, based on the belief that the innocent would not be scalded.
In ancient Japan, trial by boiling water was used as a means of judgment.
Trial by boiling water was practiced in societies that believed in divine protection.
A broader term for trial by ordeal in general, not limited to the boiling water method.
Applies to each form listed below
Most common kanji spelling for this historical term.
Kana spelling; useful for learners unfamiliar with the kanji.
Abbreviated kanji form; less common but still encountered.
Rarely used kanji form.
The term 盟神探湯 (くかたち) is a jukujikun reading of Chinese characters meaning 'oath', 'god', 'search', and 'hot water'. The exact derivation of the reading is uncertain.