陰かげ腹ばら

noun

secretly slitting one's belly; concealed seppuku (in kabuki/bunraku)

A theatrical technique in traditional Japanese drama where a character appears to die by seppuku but hides the fatal wound until a dramatic reveal. Not used in everyday language.

• 歌か舞ぶ伎きの『仮か名な手本でほん忠ちゅう臣しん蔵ぐら』では、判はん官がんが陰かげ腹ばらを切きる場ば面めんが有ゆう名めいだ。

  In the kabuki play 'Kanadehon Chūshingura', the scene where the magistrate performs kagebara is famous.