following one's master in death by seppuku
Historical term for a retainer committing ritual suicide after the death of their lord. Often contrasted with 先腹 (sakibara), where the retainer dies before the master.
See also: 先腹
In the Edo period, following one's master in death by seppuku was sometimes regarded as a proof of loyalty.
After the lord's death, a retainer committing oibara was a form of junshi (following one's master in death).
Standard kanji spelling.
Variant spelling; less common than 追い腹.
Compound of 追い (oi, 'following') + 腹 (hara, 'belly'), referring to cutting the belly after the master's death. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is associated with samurai customs of junshi.