Love is a Christian word, Anjin-san. Love is a Christian thought, a Christian ideal. We have no word for 'love' as I understand you to mean it. Duty, loyalty, honor, respect, desire, those words and thoughts are what we have, all that we need.
In James Clavell's "Shōgun," the concept of love is portrayed differently in the context of the Christian perspective compared to Japanese values. The character Anjin-san learns that love, as an emotion tied to Christian beliefs, is not a term or idea found in Japanese culture. Instead, their society emphasizes values like duty, loyalty, honor, and respect, which are more vital to their way of life.
This distinction highlights a cultural divide, where feelings associated with love are not prioritized in the same way. The Japanese focus on honor and duty reveals a different understanding of relationships and responsibilities, suggesting that emotional expressions may take on various forms across cultures, revealing deeper societal values and beliefs.
