Ikoma Arimi

Ikoma Arimi was a Lion samurai-ko of the 2nd century.

Disgraced and Death
Arimi was a young, attractive, brilliant, successful in both battle and court who served a Provincial Daimyo named Ikoma Masahiro. Her success soon drew the jealousy of rivals, who exposed Arimi had a secret lover, Matsu Makoto, and met him during trips to a neighboring province. Arimi was allowed to commit seppuku, but then her lord gave her a wooden sword to perform the ritual, implying she was not sincere in her plea. Neverheless Arimi performed the three cuts with the wooden sword, shaming all those present.

Aftermath
Masahiro retired in shame to a monastery, leaving his son to manage what would become the Gisei province. In honor of her noble death, the city in which Matsu Makoto had lived was renamed Toshi no Meiyo Gisei, the City of Honor’s Sacrifice. Her last act remained a lesson of the strength of honor.