Sources aquired

I recently got the book Seppuku: A History of Samurai Suicide, by author Andrew Rankin, from Kent library.

Looking at this book gives us an insight on the facts, origins, and history of Seppuku, for which the book is aptly named. It splits itself into three distinct parts, named

History of Seppuku to 1600

With information on ancient texts, and real life testaments from those involved in the ceremonies, this is really a good source for the beginning information

The Seppuku Ritual

Gives information from everything on the proper swords to use, to location, this is my go to source on descriptions of the situation

History of Seppuku after 1600

Gives information up to around the 20th century, which is remarkable that such a painful tradition could last so long. It is basically the closest one could get to modern examples

This book really puts into perspective a lot of the myths, legends, and straight up historical information of Seppuku from many times, and is a source I will be using for the rest of the project. 

The next book I acquired was The Taming of the Samurai, by Eiko Ikegami.

This is really to just put into context the way these traditions lived, from the lives of the ancient Samurai and their forms of honor and tradition. 

I also have The Thorn in the Chrysanthemum, a book on "Suicide and Economic success in Modern Japan"

From what I have been told, this is an excellent book on the suicidal tendencies of modern Japan, and how it ties in with the entire Japanese lifestyle

And finally, I have Blossoms In The Wind: Human Legacies of the Kamikaze. 

Its an in depth book about the Kamikaze of Japan during WWII, and will give me an interesting outlook on the situation.