AaronIsCrunchy wrote:
On the cultural part, there is a large part of that to do with Jigoro - he seems to me to want to see a return to the older hierarchy of Japan, and in particular displays samurai ideals. For example, he displays a certain element of kirisutegomen, or the allowance to cut down anybody of a lower class that threatens to challenge honour. Although he doesn't do this physically (despite fancy looking katana), he talks about honour and respect a lot (or lack of), and chooses to 'cut-down' through a series of insults.
I did learn a couple of bits about psychoanalysis from Shizune's route as well - blocks of text stretching pages long on the subject tend to do that. NOT that I minded.
You're close on that one.
Thing is about today's youth--even in Japan--is how the sense of 'respect' slightly 'waned' towards the more elderly. What's more, however, is the simple fact that maybe Jigoro is just being over-protective. Ever wonder what caused Jigoro to be the single parent of Shizune and Hideaki or where does he get that dismissive attitude towards Hisao? There's a backstory of the family, to which I am speculating that Jigoro's wife died after Hideaki was born (childbirth complications, accidents, etc.)
what's more, none of the members in the family are capable of communicating with Shizune after figuring out she is a deaf/mute. Now imagine you're in Jigoro's shoes for a moment, struggling to communicate with your daughter who--I believe--to be the last 'spitting image' of your late-wife. One day, your daughter brought home her boyfriend who KNOWS how to communicate with her and is CAPABLE to. You would certainly go to lengths to dismiss him entirely; less chance of him taking your precious
The katana he carries around could be--or may be--the Hakamichi's family heirloom that has been passed around through generations which means he does have absolute authority over the Hakamichi household. This also means that he gets to hand the heirloom down to Hisao if he agrees that he can continue the lineage (or Hideaki. Commonly, it is handed down to males but exceptions are made sometimes). You can actually safely assume that Jigoro is your typical asian father.
There's more stuff to look at. For example, the bento Shizune made for Hisao (if you don't know what a bento is, look it up. It takes a lot of time, effort, and dedication since food here is not just about taste--it's also how it is to be presented). When you look at Shizune and her actions as well as her constant exchange of banters between Shizune and Hisao, it all falls to the reader to actually 'capture' that moment when she is genuinely showing affection. Some of the problem of Shizune's routes are these:
1. Shizune call the shots, not you.
2. Shizune overly-relies on herself so as not to trouble others (her own little 'containment' of problems, acting so as it doesn't spread to unrelated parties)
3. Shizune's mean of showing affection isn't by performing physical actions such as kisses, hugs, wtv alone; she--being unable to speak--heavily weights on the meaning of words and how powerful it is with the former being in its supportive role to PROVE said words.
4. Shizune is shy and will often keep things to herself--remember the solution of the 'problem' in her route? Hisao was the one who confronts both of them and convinced Shizune to 'not keep everything to herself'.
You can almost say to the point that Shizune's story line and character herself is very-very rooted to its Japanese tradition, whereas the complete opposite of it--Lilly--being half-Scottish made it a lot more 'western-friendly' since her route touches more on the 'familiar' side of culture.
Having spent most of my life in here pretty much made me lean more towards Shizune and how 'down to earth' it is compared to the more fairytale-like opposite. That, or I may just not have any taste for blondes at all
