Following up on Allyn's comments:

allyn yonge writes:

2)Japan about 1600? (Again, I'm working from memory)
Japanese official's wife is accused of stealing. She's
executed. Later it is found that his _mother_ was
responsible and he knew, but let his wife be tried and
executed to protect his mother. He was highly praised
for his filial piety.

     This story is recounted in "The Chrysanthemum and
the Sword" by Ruth Benedict. Definitely an interesting
book, with much discussion of matters bearing on the
current discussion. This was written at the end of World
War II, but is useful for considering the attitudes and
beliefs that Takahashi was poking fun at in her story.
Part of the conflict in Ranma is between old and modern
attitudes toward life.

A rather strict interpretation would make Ranma
responsible for whatever 'claims' his father made,
even if they were mutually exclusive or impossible.
Ranma's first, greatest, and only real loyalty is to
his parents NOT to Ukyou, Akane or any of the others. 
And of course, no matter who he marries, Nodoka will
be the real head of the house-hold until she dies. And
she'll make Ranma's wife's life a living hell, because
that's what happened to her.(assuming a 'traditional'
upbringing, of course)  ^_^ 

     Very true, and not often considered by most people.
According to Benedict, and I think there is a fair amount
of truth in it, honor, and fulfilling one's obligations,
is very important, but there are only two obligations
that are unlimited: your obligations to the Emperor, and
your obligations to your parents. Any other obligation,
even as far as your personal honor, has limitations and
potential tradeoffs.

     I believe Benedict also pointed out that Japanese
notions of filial duty were NOT identical with Chinese
ones. A case in point: Ranma, who generally treats his
father with very little respect, nevertheless tends to
obey him, and hence is carrying out his filial
repsonsibilites. With regard to hiding from his mother,
he's actually caught in a difficult situation, since
he's carrying out his father's wishes.

     Since Genma and Nodoka apparently favor Akane as
the preferred fiancee, traditional notions of duty
call upon Ranma to marry Akane and come to some sort
of agreement with Ukyo and her family as far as
restitution goes. Failing that, his best bet is
probably to commit seppuku.

Reid Carson
rcarson@rcarson.com


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