noun
snake torture; binding and placing in a tub of snakes
Historical torture method in which the victim is bound and placed in a tub or pit with snakes. Rarely used outside historical or cultural references.
時代劇で蛇責めの拷問シーンが出てきた。
A snake-torture scene appeared in the period drama.
蛇責めは江戸時代の拷問の一つとして知られている。
Snake torture is known as one of the tortures of the Edo period.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling sometimes seen in modern descriptions.
Compound of 蛇 (へび, 'snake') and 責め (ぜめ, 'torture, torment'). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but the term is associated with Edo-period punishment lore.