Ana-tsurushi

"hanging"), was a Japanese torture technique used in the 17th century to coerce Christians ("Kirishitan") to recant their faith.

[1] One of the victim's hands would be held tight with a rope, but the other would be left free so that he could signal his willingness to recant.

The technique was said to be unbearable for those submitted to it, though some particularly resilient martyrs like Lorenzo Ruiz never broke under torture.

[1] Typically, a cut would be made in the forehead around their temples in order to let blood pressure decrease in the area around the head.

[1] A notable victim of this method of torture was Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino martyr to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church.