Deadly Sins: Japan's Unique Perspective On Vice And Morality

The seven deadly sins are a Western concept, but they have been explored in Japanese popular culture, such as in the manga and anime series The Seven Deadly Sins (Japanese: Nanatsu no Taizai), written and illustrated by Nakaba Suzuki. The series follows a group of knights, each representing one of the seven deadly sins: pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust.

Pride (Kouman)

Pride, or Kouman in Japanese, is one of the seven deadly sins. It is considered the most serious of the sins and is associated with hubris. Kouman refers to the negative sense of pride, where one feels superior and more important than others, placing their desires above those of any other person. This disregard for others can lead to serious actions and crimes. The proverb, "Pride goeth before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall," captures the essence of Kouman, warning that reckless pride can lead to destructive consequences.

In modern thinking, narcissism is often associated with Kouman. However, the concept of Kouman is not limited to individual behaviour but can also be applied to broader contexts. For example, in the multimedia project "The Seven Deadly Sins," one of the characters, Escanor, embodies the sin of pride as the Lion's Sin of Pride. This depiction showcases how pride can manifest and have significant implications within a narrative or fictional context.

The opposite virtue of Kouman is humility, which emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's worth without a sense of superiority. This virtue encourages individuals to consider the needs and well-being of others, fostering a more harmonious and compassionate society. By practicing humility, individuals can avoid the pitfalls of Kouman and strive for a more balanced and ethical approach to life.

Kouman, or pride, is a powerful concept that has been recognized across cultures and periods. It serves as a reminder to maintain humility and treat others with respect and consideration. Understanding the negative consequences of Kouman can help individuals cultivate virtues that promote positive relationships and a more just society.

Envy

In Japanese, the word for envy is "yūwaku", which can be translated as "temptation" or "enticement". The opposite virtue of envy is kindness. Envy is wanting what others have, which can lead to hostility towards them and unethical actions to take it from them. This can target more than just possessions or wealth, including someone's beauty or ability to make friends. If you can't have what they have, you don't want them to have it either. Envy can lead to destructive behaviours such as gossip, slander, and even physical violence. It is a natural human emotion that can lead to serious consequences if not controlled.

In the Japanese manga and anime series "The Seven Deadly Sins", Diane is the character that embodies envy, known as the Snake Sin of Envy. The series features seven Holy Knights who were brutal criminals with the symbols of beasts carved onto their bodies. Each of the seven sins is represented by a different character, with envy being Diane's sin.

Wrath/Anger

The seven deadly sins are a Western concept rather than a Japanese one. They are abuses or excesses of drives that everyone experiences but may lead to serious transgressions if they are not kept in check. The seven deadly sins were first enumerated by Pope Gregory I (the Great) in the 6th century and later elaborated by St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century.

Wrath is defined as a strong feeling of hatred or resentment with a desire for vengeance. This overwhelming feeling and desire for revenge distinguish wrath from anger that is balanced with reason, which is not a sin. Christian teaching also differentiates between God’s wrath and human wrath, in that the wrath of God is regarded as a manifestation of divine righteousness and justice. As a deadly sin, wrath is believed to generate other sins and further immoral behavior.

Anger, distinct from the sin of wrath, is discussed as one of the “passions” in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Passions are feelings that incline humans to act or not act in response to something that is perceived as good or evil. Passions are not considered good or evil in themselves, but they take on a moral quality relative to how effectively they engage with reason and will. Passions are morally good when they lead to a good action and morally evil when they contribute to an evil action.

In the Bible, wrath and anger are frequently warned against. Psalm 37:8 advises, “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath…it leads only to evil.” In the Gospel According to Matthew, when Jesus is being seized for his arrest, he alludes to the dangers of wrath while admonishing one of his disciples for brandishing a sword against his captors: “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (26:52). In the Letter of Paul to the Galatians 5:19–21, St. Paul names anger in a list of “works of the flesh” that are warned against, for “those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

In art, wrath has been depicted through scenes of well-known Biblical and classical stories. For example, in Peter Paul Rubens’s 17th-century paintings *Cain Slaying Abel* and *The Wrath of Achilles*, and in Dante's 14th-century work *Inferno*, where sinners guilty of wrath are assigned to the fifth circle of hell.

Sloth

The Latin term "acedia," translated as "sloth," means "without care." Historically, acedia was believed to afflict women and religious individuals, causing them to become indifferent to their duties and obligations towards God. This indifference is a key aspect of sloth, leading to boredom, apathy, and a passive or inert mental state.

The understanding of sloth has evolved over time, with theologians and writers offering their interpretations. Saint Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, defined sloth as "sorrow about spiritual good" and a "facetiousness of the mind which neglects to being good." Similarly, the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes acedia or sloth as refusing joy from God and being repelled by goodness.

In popular culture, the multimedia project "The Seven Deadly Sins" portrays sloth as one of the sins embodied by seven demon queens. The character King, represented by the bear, symbolises the sin of sloth. Additionally, in Peter Binsfeld's classification of demons, Belphegor is recognised as the chief demon of the sin of sloth.

Gluttony

• Laute – eating too expensively
• Studiose – eating too daintily
• Nimis – eating too much
• Praepropere – eating too soon
• Ardenter – eating too eagerly

In modern times, gluttony can be seen as a false pathway to comfort, satisfying a deeper craving. It is perhaps the easiest of the deadly sins to fall victim to, as we are constantly bombarded with messages about the best products and services. However, it is important to recognise that gluttony is not about enjoying material possessions or indulging in pleasures, but rather about a lack of self-control.

To combat gluttony, it is suggested that one should identify areas of their life where they lack control and work on walking in the spirit of self-control, finding ultimate satisfaction in things other than indulgences.

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