Shinju

"Shinju" is a Japanese term that means "double suicide," typically referring to a romantic or emotional pairing where two people, often lovers, choose to die together. Historically, it was associated with tragic love stories and was sometimes romanticized in literature and theater, especially during the Edo period. While it symbolized passionate devotion, it also reflected societal pressures and personal despair. Today, the term is understood as a tragic act of shared sacrifice, highlighting deep emotional bonds that lead individuals to end their lives together.