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Onryo

We tend to think that Mikio’s betryal was the worst thing that ever happened to Mizu. But what if it actually was… the BEST thing?

I’ve only noticed this recently, but Mizu’s backstory is such a great metaphor for psychological reasons behind women being abused around the world.

Think about it: you have this girl who is an outsider in every sense of the word. She grows up without love, without friends, and her only family member shows her little affection. Then she loses that family member and – however bad their relationship might have been – it’s a huge loss. Little girl blames not the world but herself – because she’s been told, from the very beginning, constantly, every day, that she’s the REASON of her own misfortunes.

She starts fantasizing about killing the man who brought her into this world. This goal might be destructive, but at least it gives her PURPOSE. Strength.

Now, there is this misconception that only weak women allow themselves to be abused, but it is sooo very far from the truth. Strong women can become victims as easily as everyone else. The reason behind this is one tricky feeling.

Longing.

Mizu is crazy strong. Independent. Perfectly capable of taking care of herself. More importantly – she has a potential to be likable, but she doesn’t know it yet. How could she, when the only person who accepted her was a blind man?

So, she might be angry, obsessed with revenge, but she is also love-starved to the point of latching herself the first person who’d shown her even a little bit of kindness.

Think about how easily she falls into mama’s arms when they reunite. How she cannot force herself to get angry at mama for stealing her money. How she doesn’t ask herself: is it truly reasonable to trust someone who chose to fake their own death, practically abandoning her as a child?

Compliment level Mikio.

Then, comes Mikio. He’s not exactly friendly at first, but at least he doesn’t try to rape Mizu during their wedding night. I mean… well, respecting consent (or, in this case: lack of it) might not be such a spectacular character treat (rather the most basic requirement one would expect from a partner), but remember: as a child Mizu was used to being targeted almost every day by almost everyone. For someone like her the mere lack of violence would be interpreted as kindness.

E-VE-RY good thing directed at her would be interpreted not as the MOUNTAIN of acceptance. Love, even. Except that…

Calling something “love” doesn’t make it love. Kindness is just kindness – and it can be withdrawn as effortlessly as it was given.

Let’s take a closer look at flashbacks from episode 5 (Ronin and The Bride). Some people in the fandom believe what we saw there was Mizu and Mikio gradually falling in love. And it… might be true for Mizu. But Mikio? Honestly, I don’t believe he ever loved Mizu – he was just kind.

You may say: look at all the things he did for her! How he cut peaches for her, taught her how to tend to horses, laughed with her, had sex with her. But then again: look at all the things he DIDN’T do.

He didn’t call her beautiful. Not once. He never reassured her: don’t worry, I’m on your side, your battles are my battles (*cough* *cough* Taigen). In bed, when they talked after sex, she called herself a “monster” a he NEVER corrected her. And then…

Yeah, we all know what happened next, because it was the most traumatic moment in the whole series, and when the soldiers arrived the whole fandom was like: oh no, poor Mizu, it’s so horrible she was betrayed like that. But you know what would be even worse? If she WASN’T betrayed. I sincerely believe Mikio did Mizu a favor by selling her out to those soldiers. You wonder, why?

Because… well, try imagining an alternative universe where he DOESN’T betray her.

The fight under the peach tree still happens, Mikio gets humiliated, calls Mizu a monster, she’s lectured by her mama and prepares to apologize. Imagine her waiting in that make up, all humble and submissive. Except this time there are no soldiers arriving to kill her. Mikio comes back instead, and Mizu is determined to do ANYTHING to make him forgive her. And he’s determined to repair his wounded masculinity. So… various things may happen from here.

Perhaps he initiates the sex and perhaps Mizu allows it, because she feels her precious husband deserves an apology. Perhaps he acts politely afterwards and Mizu sighs in relief, thinking she has repaired their marriage. Routine returns, but NOTHING is as it was, because Mizu will always remember how she almost destroyed the relationship with the first person who was attracted to her, and Mikio will always be aware of the fact that his wife proved to be stronger than him. So… incidents start to happen.

Mikio initiates sex again. And again, and again. And Mizu consents, again and again. Until she doesn’t. Because at this point she understands that sex won’t heal their relationship. But this is not their wedding night and Mikio doesn’t care about her lack of enthusiasm anymore. He needs to “prove himself”, so he rapes her. Now, she could defend herself, like a strong woman she is, but… she chooses not to.  

Her story becomes similar to the stories of many other women in broken marriages. You can easily guess what happens next.

Violence enters the routine. First insignificant. Then regular. Maybe even life-threatening. At some point children are born and it makes the whole situation more complicated. Mizu wants what’s best for them. But she knows what kind of reality awaits them outside the farm and the protection of their Japanese father. She might take them and leave – but where would she go? To her oldest friend, Master Eiji? But coming to him after so many years, with extra “luggage” would be so humiliating.

That’s the true dilemma of women who are abused. It’s not just a matter of leaving and slamming the door firmly behind you. In many cases there is literally nowhere to go. The house is your husband’s and so is the money. And besides, there is something else stopping you – that wicked voice in your head, saying you’re not enough, and it’s better to belong somewhere than nowhere. Because your husband might be abusive, but at least he’s kind to you… occasionally.

So, having all of this in mind, I’m kind of glad that Mikio betrayed Mizu. Honestly, I’d rather see her wounded than staying with that scum, convinced he’s the best she can hope for.

Of course, the scenario I’ve described is just one of many and Mizu might have acted differently. Perhaps she would have left Mikio after a while. Or perhaps he wouldn’t dare to be violent towards her, fearing she might kill him. We don’t know what would have happened if he chose not to betray her, but contemplating it is very interesting, because it forces us to examine the more vulnerable side of Mizu – not the badass fighter, cold to his friends and enemies – but someone craving love and acceptance above everything else.

Now, the question is: how she’s supposed to let herself want these things again, when wanting them in the past almost killed her?

Remember what she said to Shindo, while Taigen listened?

“I don’t want to be happy. Only satisfied.”

Had to pause and reflect when this scene came on-

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