介錯

Kaishaku ("Suicide Assisant") is just what it says. Nukitsuke is performed slowly, as this is not a combat form. The iaidoka steps back with the sword behind his head, the kissaki (sword tip) at eye level. At the appropriate time, he steps  forward to execute a diagonal cut (kesagiri) to the neck. The left hand stops the blade before cutting all the way through the neck of the person committing seppuku--this prevents an unseemly flying away or rolling of the severed head. Chiburi and noutou are as in Ukenagashi.