At 08:12 PM 10/27/96 -0600, Hitomi Ichinohei wrote:

On Sun, 27 Oct 1996 rsalva1@UMBC2.UMBC.EDU wrote:

It is fairly well written.  Details are quite good.  But I don't think 
you grasp Ranma's personality.  Moreover I don't think the whole family 
could just stood there and do nothing.  Suicide is suicide, there is 
nothing honorable about it.  His mother did not even know 
his curse and therefore did not have a reason to force to commit sepukku.

No one would question the judgement of one commiting Sepuku.  If is 
dishonourable to interfere in this at any cost and shows extreme 
dishonour both to the one commiting Sepuku and to the one who disturbs 
them.  In this case, there was no honourable way presented to be out of 
carrying through with Sepuku, and to maintain honour, Ranma did what he 
thought to be the correct thing.  It is the way of a warrior, and is 
worthy of respect.

I do not think a westerner could truly understand the meaning of Sepuku.

Why don't you enlighten us, Hitomi?

Is it true that the Samurai (and perhaps others) would write poetry for the
occassion, as part of the... "ceremony"?


Jeanne Hedge
http://www.accsyst.com/jhedge/
                                 *   *   *
ADDER, n.  A species of snake.  So called from its habit of adding funeral
outlays to the other expenses of living.

                -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"