HI,
Your post seems to indicate that the pledge of marriage
between two families has little meaning and can be
easily abrogated. I do not believe that this is the
case. In fact this premise is SO important, not only to
understanding Ranma 1/2 but also other manga/anime I am
posting this. (It will be my last post on this
subject)
 
1) according to tax-laws at the time the manga was
written the Tendou's will loose their home/doujou to
the government through inheritance taxes that amount to
better than 70% of the value of the estate. (payable in
cash, no credit please ^_^)  On the other hand the law
at that time allowed the parents to GIVE most of the
estate to children as a wedding present.
2) It was and is a practice for a family that had no
sons (but had property) to adopt a male heir (usually a
younger son from a poor family). This might or might
not include marriage. In this case since Ranma is an
ONLY son there might be some argument about whether
Ranma would take the Tendou name.
3) Today ~30% of all marriages in Japan are arranged
and the downward trend is slowing. Most Japanese DO NOT
form close relationships during their teen years and DO
NOT have boy/girl friends to date once they are in
their twenties. The Nakodo (match-maker) is still an
important figure (in marriages and business deals) An
increase in divorce in the 1980s started an INCREASE in
arranged marriages.

4) While the advent of westernization has made some
inroads in traditional Japan over a thousand years of
aculturation is not overturned in a mere 54 years (time
since end of WWII) I have a report of a group of school
girls who killed one of their classmates for failing to
show proper respect at the funeral of a classmates
mother.  This is just one of many examples that show
that the 'old ways' still hold true in many parts of
Japan. (and you can still die for making a mistake.) 

4) Harmony, getting along, avoiding conflict is VERY
important in Japanese culture. NEVER use a direct
YES/NO. Also ties in with concept of honor/arranged
marriage etc. 

Some books that may be helpful:

A History of Japan (in 3 vol.) George Sansom
Lost Japan by Alex Kerr
Speed Tribes by Karl Taro Greenfeld
Japanese Culture, A short history by H. Paul Varley
The Wonderful World of Sazae-san by Hasegawa Machiko
Japan's cultural code words by Boye Layafette De Mente
I hope this helps. 
^_^ 


--- Video Game Addicted Person <vg_ap@yahoo.com>
wrote:

	All right, let's put a stop to this. I sense a
meaningless trend forming, and that we all could do
without.

	Reading all the return posts to my query, I
was able to draw following conclusions:

	1. The purpose of Saotome-Tendo union is to
strengthen the Anything Goes School.

	2. The honor involved in the engagement are
respecting elders' wishes and keeping the promise
between two families.

	3. The reason why the term "honor" is never
mentioned in original is because of Japanese

tendency

to not directly mention some concepts (I should have
figured this out before sending that first post

out).

	4. While the concept of honor can be assumed
in fanfics, some of them are taken too far. Most
likely,
the engagement can be called off if Genma and Soun
are
willing to. Even if they aren't and it won't work
out,
neither of the families will be disgraced

publically.

	Thanks to all those who answered my query!
==
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