Since the early modern period, seppuku has been used as a method for not only suicide but also capital punishment, and in such cases permission to die was granted by one's master so that one could atone for misconduct, leading seppuku to become viewed as an honorable way to die (in contrast to beheading and crucifixion which were considered dishonorable punishments not befitting members of the samurai class).
切腹は、近世からは自死のほかに、死刑の方法としても採用されているが、この場合、自分の不始末を自力で処理するため、主君より「賜死」という考えから、誉ある死とされた（これに対して、斬首刑や磔は武士身分がされるべきでない不名誉な刑罰とされた。）