Around 1400, the practice of bamboo torture, or splintering, emerged in parts of Asia, where sharp bamboo shoots were utilized for cruel methods of execution and punishment. This brutal technique involved binding victims and allowing bamboo to grow through their bodies or using it for impalement. The use of such methods reflects the harsh realities of warfare and punishment in historical contexts, as well as the cultural attitudes towards justice and retribution during that period.

The use of bamboo torture or splintering in Asia around 1400 was exoticized in colonial-era poetry, with poets like Rudyard Kipling depicting Eastern 'barbarism.' This portrayal often reflected Western anxieties and stereotypes, influencing the narrative of colonial literature.