The blade is taken with the left hand and held out supported by the right hand, the tip of the blade is pointed to the left as the tanto is taken into the right hand, the abdomen is bushed thee times with the left hand, the blade is used to slit the abdomen 1-sun (approximately 3.03 cm) above the navel from left to right (alternatively 3-sun or 5-sun below the navel) and, as the seppukunin turns the blade, the kaishakunin severs the head, leaving a single piece of skin to keep the head attached to the body.
左で刀を取り、右手を添えて押し頂き、峰を左に向け直し、右手に持ち替え、左手で3度腹を押し撫で、臍の上1寸ほどへ左から右へ刀で突き立て（臍下深さ3分ないし5分とも）、切腹人が刀を引き回す所で、介錯人は首を「皮一枚」残して斬る。