斬ざん奸かん状じょう

noun

written justification for an assassination; letter explaining reasons for killing an alleged villain

Historical term from the Edo period or similar contexts, used by assassins or vigilantes to publicly state their motives after killing a perceived wrongdoer. Rare in modern usage.

• 幕ばく末まつの志し士しは、標ひょう的てきを討うった後あと、斬ざん奸かん状じょうを掲かかげてその理り由ゆうを世よに問とうた。

  A loyalist at the end of the Edo period would post a written vindication after striking down a target, asking the world to judge the reasons.