This opinion is interesting. I think it is one that captures the essence of the story. I remember that, previously, a Japanese commentary on this work explained that Yuki is bound and connected to Kaname by ‘bloodline’ and ‘fate,’ and to Zero by ‘feelings’ and ‘bond.’ The story clearly contains Chinese elements in Kaname and Western elements in Zero. This can also be confirmed by the linguistic history of kanji used in Yuki’s daughters’ names.
The kanji in Yuki’s daughters’ names express the starting points of Yuki’s love for Kaname and Zero. (In Chapter 2 of Memories in the Japanese version, Ai asks Aido which kind of love (ren or ai) the current love with Yori start from. The kanji of Yuki’s daughters’ names appears with emphasis (in bold) for the first time in this scene. Viewers can see that Yuki’s daughter’s name represents the starting points of Yuki’s love for Kaname and Zero.)
Regarding Yuki’s "feelings" toward Zero, expressed by the word omoi (想い): in classical Japanese literature, when omoi was used to mean strong romantic feelings, it was paired with the word kofu (恋ふ, “to love/long for”). The kanji koi (=ren) (恋), paired with omoi, is the oldest expression of romantic love in Japan, and it is the character used in the name of Yuki and Zero’s daughter. Because the kanji “恋” has had the meaning of romantic love from ancient Japan to the present day, it has the core meaning of passionate and romantic feelings. In the 19th century, this word "恋" was employed in translations of the West terms like "love" and "romantic love," as well as the Greek concept of érōs. For érōs, the translation highlighted its passionate and romantic dimension.This character centers on innermost feeling and self-originated spontaneity; originating within oneself, being driven by one’s inner self. The defining feature is that this kanji signifies an inner psychological energy and power. And the character can imply forming acquired bond through spontaneous attachment. It is used for romantic relationships, such as crushes, lovers and married couples. In Japanese summaries, Yuki and Zero are repeatedly described as omoi-au (想い合う), indicating mutual romantic feelings.
恋 (ren) and the Western concept of “will”
“Since the 19th century, the translation of the concept of ‘free will’ became widespread in Japan. (From the perspective of Japanese sociology,) ‘恋’ (romantic love in Japanese) strongly came to be associated with an act chosen by one’s own heart and will. Through this transformation, romantic love has become closely linked to the formation of self-awareness and the establishment of individual identity. Through this reception, koi (=ren) came to strengthen elements of spontaneity and personal agency, and in contemporary Japanese, it also has the nuance of acting according to one’s own inner will”. This is an excerpt discussing the influence of Western concepts of will on the linguistic history of the word “恋”. However, there are also different studies that argue such as "beyond will"—that it refers to an overwhelming impulse originating from one’s inner instinct, beyond conscious control or will. In this way, this character encompasses the wide spectrum of mental states. “恋” refers to the entire emotional process that begins with a deep, instinctive feeling, develops into conscious awareness, and eventually leads to intentional actions toward a person. At first, an unconscious attraction arises without any clear reason. Then, a person becomes aware of their feeling and realizes. Finally, this awareness turns into a will to act, such as longing for a person and desiring to be together. In other words, “恋” is a broad concept that encompasses the whole process — from the initial feeling to conscious recognition and the will to act. The concept of “恋” carries a nature of both instinctive emotion beyond will and one’s own will. (From Japanese Philosophy of Language『恋』)
On the other hand, Kaname’s daughter’s name uses the character ai (愛), which has the core meanings of other-centered feeling and love of compassion. The character ai (愛) is included in a concept imported from India and China, which only later came into use as meaning of love in Japan, after kofu (恋ふ) and omou (想ふ). The original meaning of ai (愛) was "to cherish" and "to be attached to" in Japanese. It began to have the meaning like love when it was used as a translation of Buddhism and Confucianism. As a side note, the word itoshi (愛し), meaning ‘to cherish,’ is still used today. This word originally carried the connotation of feeling pity and adorable toward the weak or the young such as a parent's children—emotion of finding someone that one cannot leave them alone. More specifically, it refers to something like the protective feelings parents shows toward their child. That's precisely the emotion Kaname felt when he first laid eyes on baby Yuki and this is the word’s original usage in classical literature. This word often expresses the poignancy and sadness that stem from attachment. Currently, itoshii (愛しい) is translated as “love,” but it carries that meaning and nuance in Japanese. This “love” (愛しい) repeatedly appears in expressions describing Yuki and Kaname’s mutual love.
How ai came to mean love (rough overview)
The original meaning of "to be attached to" was used to translate the Buddhist concepts of clinging and worldly desires (Upādāna, Taṇhā). These meanings have negative connotations and represent temptations that one must resist. On the other hand, The original meaning of "to cherish" was used as a translation of love between family members in Confucian concept. Especially in the early days, it was used to refer to relationship between blood relatives in Japan. Eventually, the word aijō (愛情, “affection”) developed, and ai came to be used broadly for relatives, parent–child, siblings, couples and lovers. And furthermore, affection developed into a meaning with compassion. After that, under the influence of its translation for Western love including faith in the 19th century (because of its high versatility, the character ai (愛) was used broadly to translate various forms of love such as agápē, philía, storgē, érōs, love of neighbor, charity, romantic love and so on), the character ai (愛) came to encompass love directed toward faith. And as a result, to the general public, it was used to refer to compassionate love for all sentient beings in Buddhism in Japan (Buddhism is a major religion in Japan) and various forms of love. Because of this background, it tends to refer to love in broad sense in contemporary Japanese. The important thing is that this character centers on other-centered feeling and compassion. ai (愛) also carries the self-sacrificial connotation of prioritizing and cherishing the other person over oneself like a mother dying to shield their child. This self-sacrificial form of love is one of common themes in Japanese literature. Because the character comes from Buddhist and Confucian concepts, It can imply leading to innate bond.
This work contrasts Zero’s acquired ‘bond’ and ‘feelings’ with Kaname’s innate ‘fate’ and ‘bloodline.’ This suggests that Hino consciously created the story with this framework. Ren and Ai are both translated as “love” and both mean love, but they refer to different kinds of love. Yuki loves both men, but starting points of Yuki’s loves for Kaname and Zero were different. And the final conclusions that began with that loves also differ. The purposes of that loves were different. Romantic love (Ren) led to her own happiness, and compassionate love (Ai) gave Kaname salvation of his soul. Which love arc is preferred depends on viewers’ personal taste.
Differences in the concept of love in Japan: essence
• Ren (恋）Zero: to desire: self-originated inner energy and power
• Ai (愛）Kaname: to give: other-centered feeling: compassion
The bond between Yuki and Kaname
Thus, Yuki’s love for Kaname is strongly rooted in part of Chinese Confucianism and Indian Buddhist thought. Furthermore, Kaname and Yuki’s love also embodies Japan’s indigenous religion Shinto's thought on ancestors. Ancient Shinto included reverence for ancestors, but the arrival of Chinese Confucianism provided a robust ethical framework for blood ties and defined ritual norms. Confucianism Filial piety (孝) emphasized blood relations and family ties, and this philosophy deeply influenced Japanese Shinto.
Shinto ancestor veneration in Japan; cherish your innate bond and love formed that transcends time from the past to the present
As the story makes clear, Kaname is Yuki’s first ancestor. In Japan, there is a frequent custom of visiting and greeting graves to thank one’s ancestors. In Shinto, ancestors protect the descendants, and through the descendants’ rituals and gratitude, continuous bond is formed that transcends time from the past to the present. The Shinto ideology is that one exists only because one’s ancestors existed, and therefore descendants must show deep gratitude and love to our ancestors. This love means “precious” and “respect”. And we must live in a way that does not bring shame to our ancestors. (Actually, this practice and thought fade among current generations. This ancestor reverence carried the meaning of not denying one’s own existence or one’s birth. Ancestors are revered/venerated, but they are distinct from supreme deities in Japan.) Yuki’s lines in this work reflect these idea.
Shinto marriage and one’s ancestors
And, in Shinto marriage is the act of reporting to and receiving the approval of the gods (八百万の神) and one’s ancestors, reflecting the bonds of family and lineage. This is praying for their blessing and approval of the couple's new beginning. Before the Shinto wedding ceremony (Shinzen-shiki) as it is performed in shrines today was established, wedding rituals were held in front of the kamidana (household Shinto altar) and butsudan (Buddhist altar), watched over by the ancestors. Before Shinto wedding ceremonies (Shinzen-shiki), bridal attire was diverse, and black symbolized ceremonial dignity. I think that is why Yuki and Zero, dressed in black, make their marriage vows in front of Kaname.
The auspicious myths and ominous lore of one’s ancestors
Moreover, in Shinto belief, ancestors are believed to become guardian spirits, watching from afar to ensure descendants choose a righteous and happy path. And It has long been believed that if a descendant is about to make a wrong choice, an ancestor will appear as a spirit and lead the descendant to the right path. These ancestral spirits are called Sorei (祖霊). There is a scene that expressed this as it is. This is exactly the role Kaname plays in this story. On the other hand, there are many Japanese folk beliefs that if, when an ancestral spirit returns to this world, living descendants consciously try to get closer to their ancestors (One longs too strongly to see them or dreams of being “called” by them), it is a sign that death is near. In this way, in Japan, Ancestors are basically regarded as protective beings, but in folk beliefs there are also aspects of awe and fear, such as being ‘called’ to death. This is why Hino always associates Yuki and Kaname's relationship with death.
The ending of Yuki and Kaname
In the final chapter of this story, Yuki turns back into a baby, and Hino ends the story by visually expressing and emphasizing the relationship between ancestor and descendant. The story ends with them accepting their fate and dying together. This reflects the Shinto way of thinking. In Shinto, it is believed that life of descendants originate from an ancestor, and the souls of descendants return to the ancestors after death. This idea is reflected in the expression "Let's go home" in the last line. In Japan, relatives including ancestors are called "Surname + Home (家)." In Shinto, it is believed that after death, we return to this home of our ancestor group. In the final chapter, it seems that the absence of the tree symbolizing the chain of life from the first chapter represents the extinction of his bloodline. In this way, Yuki and Kaname’s love reflects concepts of love rooted in part of Chinese Confucianism and Indian Buddhist thought, while the main pillar of the scenario and Kaname’s role as the first ancestor of the vampires reflect the Shinto ideas in Japan.
============================================
Buddhist and Shinto perspectives on suicide
Buddhism generally views suicide as an act that violates the Precept of Non-Killing (不殺生戒) and, as such, bars the soul from reaching heaven. Buddhism basically regards suicide as a sin or a wrongful act. The negative karma accumulated through suicide affects the destination after death (the next life), and generally, it is believed that one is likely to be reborn in an unfavorable state, such as hell, as a hungry ghost, or as an animal. For Shinto, in general, suicide is not sin but defilement (穢れ) and it is interpreted that if it's purified by misogi (禊), harai (祓) or matsuri (祀, 祭), although it will take time, the soul can return home.
And in Shinto, there is no restriction that only humans can enter the afterlife. Non-human beings such as deer, fox, crane, wolf, horse and black butterfly are regarded as spiritual entities that are connected to the afterlife and the realm of the deities in Japan.
============================================
The bond between Yuki and Zero
Western philosophy and literature often emphasize the concept of human will. From ancient times, countless works have described about human will. Discussions of human will appeared in ancient Greek philosophy and became deeply rooted in Western philosophy, religion, literature and values. Human will is one of the longest-standing debates in philosophy and religion. Across Western history, Western people have shared this legacy of the concept of human will. For this reason, Western viewers may tend to prefer the acquired bond of human will and heart represented by Yuki and Zero. The fact that the kanji used in the name of Yuki and Zero’s daughter centers self-originated spontaneity and self-driven inner psychology shows Hino clearly depicts their relationship in this way.
Acquired bond based on human will and heart
It is well known that in Japan, the Western concept and discussions of human will have had a huge influence on Japanese values and culture. It is said that stories like this one, which depict acquired bond formed by human will and heart, have become popular in Japan since Western culture and technology were imported following the end of Sakoku. The concept of a ‘knight’ and knightly oaths is uniquely Western. Some Western bonds of contract—such as knightly oaths—do not often place biological relatives as the primary factor. Acquired bond of human will and heart can sometimes be stronger than innate biological bond. Yuki and Zero’s relationship reflects the Western idea of bonds formed through human will and heart. This also makes sense of why Yuki's married partner is Zero.
The symbol of the acquired bond
The bracelet worn on Yuki’s left wrist symbolizes her bond with Zero—the bond she never lets go of. Even after Zero disappeared, Yuki turned a fragment of the Bloody Rose into a pendant instead of that bracelet and spoke to Zero through it. Even when she sacrificed her life for Kaname, she spoke to Zero through the pendant. Hino expresses how precious acquired bond with Zero is for Yuki. In Japan, carrying a keepsake symbolizes maintaining the bond with the deceased. In this story, it is the gun, but in Japan, there was a time when the family of the deceased samurai would inherit katanas or personal ornaments as keepsakes.
The Japanese view of life and death
And Hino expresses that when Zero says he wants to die by having his life devoured by Yuki, he is expressing his desire to be together with Yuki in the afterlife. The Japanese summary of volume 10 states that Yuki desires for eternity for Zero, so it seems Hino wants to express that this is Zero's final decision to grant Yuki's desire. In Japanese belief customs, married couples’ graves are built so that couples without common ancestors can be together in the afterlife. Because it is necessary for the souls of the married couples to be sealed off in the same sacred containment. In Shinto, it is believed that the souls of married couples remain connected even after death. But from both faith and folk traditions, being sealed off in the same sacred containment as one is regarded as a strong bond between a married couple that continues beyond death. In Japan, it is believed that after death, a soul returns to its ancestor, but in this case, married couples reunite as husband and wife because two were sealed off. This means that one spouse is forever separated from their own ancestral group (Home) and belongs to the ancestral group (Home) of the other spouse. In Japan, cremation is practiced, so it is possible for people to be sealed off in the same grave stone as one, and it is also common for the collective family ashes to be interred. In the Japanese view of the soul, the soul of a deceased spouse is believed to first reach the afterlife. However, the departed spouse’s soul is not bound to a single place—it can move freely between the afterlife and the containment. And, even after the grave that sealed their souls has naturally weathered and crumbled, the bonds of the couples are believed to continue. In Shinto, finally, after a family line dies out, all things return to nature and all souls are believed to merge with the deities of nature (八百万の神) and continue to exist eternally.
The ending of Yuki and Zero
Hino expresses that this married couple will be together in the afterlife because the souls of this married couple were sealed off in the same containment as one (Yuki’s body) through Zero being devoured and Yuki absorbing him. This is why Yuki did not build Zero‘s grave, did not hold his funeral, and only informed others of his death through letters. (The grave where the Bloody Rose fragment was left is Zero's family grave.) Therefore, the illustration on the cover of the final magazine is drawn by Hino to show the three after their deaths. The illustration shows that Yuki's soul returns to her ancestor Kaname and reunites with her husband Zero. In this way, this work strongly reflects the Japanese view of life and death.
China v.s. West preferences
Japan has historically received significant influence from China, India, and the West. These imported ideas, combined with Japan’s native values, have created a culture where multiple systems of thought are intricately blended. This story embodies both types of bond—Kaname and Yuki’s innate bond and Zero and Yuki’s acquired bond. Hino expresses that both bonds are very strong, and she concludes the story by letting the viewers decide which bond they prefer. I think this consideration that differences in preferences are due to differences in cultural sensibilities is very interesting. It's amazing that viewers exactly pinpoint the cultural elements to which viewers belong.
Since I’m not used to writing in English, some parts of this text may seem unnatural to native readers. If anyone happens to read this, Thank you for reading this far.
