水責め (みずぜめ) is a historical Japanese torture method that involves submerging a person in water. This technique was used to extract confessions or punish individuals during the Edo period. The victim would be restrained and repeatedly dunked in water, causing extreme distress and fear of drowning. The practice of 水責め is often associated with the broader context of torture methods used in various cultures throughout history. It highlights the lengths to which authorities would go to maintain control and extract information, reflecting the harsh realities of justice systems in the past.