Based on these two readings “Through Bearing an Umbrella” and “In Death, They Share the Same wave Pillow,” how is an honor being defined (use specific examples from the texts). Share an insight that you thought was interesting but has yet to be discussed or mentioned in the discussion thread.

In the two stories, honor is defined as a superior stand in one’s responsibility and dignity that is worth any form of sacrifice to preserve. The two stories depict honor as something that should never be taken for granted and should be protected.For example, in the story of  “Through Bearing an Umbrella,” though Korin the beautiful and admirable boy knows that the Lord is attracted to him and has great affections, he keeps his stand that doesn’t love him. Though he knows the consequences of this stand, he maintains him to keep his dignity and stand for what he loves. “Forcing me to yield to your authority is not true love. My heart remains my own, and if one day someone should tell me he truly loves me, I will give my life for him. As a memento of this floating world, I want a lover on whom I can lavish real affection.” 168. He finally embraces love with Sōhachirō, who he loves passionately and when asked he reveals his true love to the Lord, who later killed him. Korin is not afraid of any harm that the lord can do but is determined to preserve love for who his heart falls despite the cost.

In the story of “In Death, They Share the Same wave Pillow,” Kanzaki Shikibu, who was in the service of Lord Araki Murashige, maintained his dignity and responsibility as samurai at all cost, making a great sacrifice and loss. He portrays honor as something precious that deserves to be reserved at all cost. When the son of his friend who he had been entrusted safety drowns in water, he too parts with his son who dives back and disappears in the river, so that he may not have failed to ensure the safety of his friend’s son but preserved his own, which is true definition of honor, and samurai. “Truly, nothing is so heartbreaking as fulfilling the claims of duty” 176. This sacrifice greatly causes a lot of sorrow not only for him but also for his wife and his fellow inspector, Morioka Tango. This great sacrifice of deciding to part with his only son defines true honor and how dignity and responsibility play their roles in defining honor.