also: ぼうへん
plotting to overthrow the government (by assassinating the emperor)
Archaic term for high treason, specifically a plot to kill the emperor and seize power. Associated with the historical legal concept of 八虐 (eight grave offenses). Sometimes read むほん.
See also: 八虐
Plotting to overthrow the government was considered the gravest crime among the eight unpardonable offenses.
The names of nobles who plotted treason are recorded in historical documents.
Standard kanji form for this historical term.
Alternate reading; less common than むへん.
From Middle Chinese-derived elements 謀 (plot) and 反 (rebel). The reading むへん is the older go-on reading, while ぼうへん is a later kan-on reading. The variant むほん reflects historical labial weakening.