In Meiryo-kohan (historical records), junshi was classified into three types: "gibara" was performed from true loyalty to one's master, "ronbara" was the junshi based on the logic in which one thought that he has to commit junshi because other person performed junshi, and "shobara" was committed for the purpose of wishing one's offspring's advancement in social status.
明良洪範では殉死を真に主君への真の忠義から出た「義腹」、誰かが殉死するために自分も殉死しなければならないとする理屈に基づく「論腹」、殉死することで子孫の栄達を図る「商腹」に分類している。