Megatakiuchi was the duty of a samurai once the adultery came to light, but since it did no one any great credit even when Megatakiuchi was achieved, such cases were often settled in private without being made public.
姦通が表沙汰になった際の女敵討は武士にとっては義務であったが、たとえ達成しても名誉にはならないため、表沙汰にせずに内々で示談にするケースも多かった。