Tsujigiri (辻斬り or 辻斬 tsuji-giri, literally 'crossroads killing') is a Japanese term for a practice when a samurai, after receiving a new katana sword or developing a new fighting style or weapon, tests its effectiveness by attacking a human opponent, usually a random defenseless passer-by, in many cases during nighttime. The practitioners themselves are also referred to as tsujigiri. The practice of attacking defenseless people was especially rampant during the early Edo period, which led the Edo government to prohibit it. Offenders would receive the capital punishment.