killing a villain; executing a wrongdoer
Historical or dramatic term for slaying a villain, typically with a sword or dagger. Often associated with samurai or vigilante justice contexts.
In period dramas, there is often a scene where the hero slays the corrupt official.
written justification for an assassination; letter explaining reasons for killing an alleged villain
Compound of 斬 (ざん, 'to cut down with a sword') and 奸 (かん, 'villain, wicked person'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is used in literary and historical contexts.