In Japan, one of the biggest and most significant aspects of their culture is their sensitive nature towards the topic of pride and dignity in both oneself and their family. However, pride also just happens to be the last of the seven deadly sins, but also surprisingly the worst of them all. Of course, Japan had not been exposed to such teachings, and thus adapted a form of culture of their own: one that was based solely off the pride of one's own existence and the legacies they leave behind. Thus, the traditional ceremony of suicide by gutting oneself, also known as seppuku, was rooted into its culture. It's no surprise as why pride is often considered the worst of the "deadly" sins, seen especially within Japanese culture.
In Ishiguro's "A Family Supper," the story is introduced with the traditional background of a fish called fugu, which contains a poison in its body that is extremely lethal to those who are not cautious with the gutting procedure of a fish. It then goes on to reveal that the mother of the protagonist of this story, a Japanese boy who had left his parents some time ago, had died a victim of the fugu's poison. Sometime later, it is revealed by Kikuko that her death was no accident, but was of direct intent (suicide) because of concerns that plagued her mind regarding how she raised her son, implying her worries were all a matter of pride. In addition, the father of the family had stated he once served in the war before, but was turned down his chance of joining the air force like he previously desired, all for the sake of being given the opportunity to use the "final weapon," if necessary (Johnson 138). This heavily implies that both parents were victim to the traditional character of Japanese pride, ultimately leading the father to kill his entire family with fugu poisoning.
Japan thinks rather too much about its pride rather than the value of life itself, who believe that when pride is soiled, the only way to remove the blemishes is to send it to oblivion itself. How could one be so willing to take their own life, and all because of some mistakes they have made in their life? In the case of Watanabe, he supposedly saw it as the only form of escape from the shock of the downfall of his corporation. As the son's father described, "He didn't want to live with the disgrace" (Johnson 134). Coincidentally, this has more similarity to how people view suicide today, and that is as a form of the "ultimate escape" from their grievances. People at first try to ease the pain of their troubles by turning to "material pleasures" such as alcohol and drugs, by which they believe provides them comfort in their troubles, but material objects can only last for so long. It wouldn't be long before they considered suicide as their only form of escape, a way to end oneself, and with it, the emotional pains that plague the heart.
In the end, it is how people respond to their troubles, their grievances, and their mistakes, that truly tests how strong their heart is. It becomes the test of their character. There are those who strive to learn from their mistakes, all for the better improvement of oneself. There are those who brush off their troubles as if there was no worry to them at all. And sadly, there are those who just wish to escape from the disgrace of it all through the solemn resolve of ending one's own life. The son had been blind to the pride his parents had been victim to, "it was dark" for him to see any of it, while his father was very aware of their family pride. It probably would have been better if all of the family had been an image of the son and had ignored the pride in their hearts.
If only Japan, in addition to all people who struggle with their conflicts, could see today how much better life would be if they would only learn and realize that mistakes are inevitable, including the large ones, and that they have to move on from them and just strive to obtain a better future rather than dwelling on the past. Doing so, there'd be no need for the pride that is rooted in everyone somehow. Pride would be silent in their hearts, and the rest that remains is hope.
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