death by dismemberment using bulls
Historical execution method from the Warring States period in which the condemned's limbs were tied to bulls that were driven in different directions, tearing the body apart.
During the Warring States period, there was a brutal execution method called ushizaki.
Standard kanji spelling for this historical execution method.
Variant kanji spelling; 割く can also mean 'to tear apart'.
Compound of 牛 (ushi, 'bull') and 裂き (saki, 'tearing', from 裂く). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but the term describes the method of execution.