Kaishaku

In Muso Shinden Ryu iaido, at the Shoden level, taken from the
Omori Ryu, the technique for kaishaku is known as 'jun-to' and
we were taught it was 'bad form' to demonstrate this at a public
display.

The previous post is right in that the neck is not completely
severed to prevent the head from rolling away.

Also, the kaishaku is free to strike at a moment of his own
choosing, (and the condemned might state when). Usually this
was after the cut was made, but in later years it was acceptable
for the kaishaku to strike at the moment the condemned man
reaches for his own blade - this act demonstating the
condemned man's determination to take his own life.

Thomas