Honor plays such a huge role in Asian sociology. The honor of the family is something that is held sacred to almost all Asians. I wanted to comment on the honor ultimatum that seems to be prevalent in Chushingura. Seppuku, as it is referred to in the handout but under another name in the film, is the act of suicide to combat the dishonor that a samurai may have encountered during his daily life. The virtue of the samurai is so important that defacing it at all results in signing your own death warrant. I was once told and still believe that suicide is probably one of the most selfish acts a person can perform. A person does not only exist for themself, but for all those who carry out an active role in your life and who's life would be altered when you leave this world. I thought it was comical when Lord Kira said he did not want to kill himself, while surrounded by many Asano-loyal insurgents. People shame themselves daily, some more than others, but western society has taught most of us that forgiveness is paramount, and living another day in an attempt to rectify the situation at hand is much more honorable than taking one's own life. To me this shows true character to battle through adversity. One must take the good with the bad and be able to succeed when up against the odds. Suicide in Chushingura looks like a bad cop-out.
-Bob
Posted by robert at November 8, 2004 12:18 AM