Final answer:
Momotaro's honorable behavior illustrates the cultural values of Japanese society, such as honor and respect, which are essential for social harmony. Mongolian values like loyalty and trustworthiness are also expressed through the oath between Temujin and Jamukha, reflecting the importance of these traits in their community. These cultural narratives underscore the significance of maintaining cultural identity and ethics in the face of changing societal dynamics and external influences.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is important that Momotaro behaves with honor because it reflects the cultural values of Japanese society, which emphasizes the importance of honor, loyalty, and respect for one's parents and elders. This sense of honor is deeply embedded in Japanese traditions and ethics, often influenced by the teachings of Confucianism and the indigenous Shinto religion, which values the harmony of the community and the reverence for nature and ancestors. Similarly, the oath between Temujin and Jamukha highlights the Mongolian cultural emphasis on loyalty and trustworthiness, components crucial for maintaining strong bonds and alliances within their community.
The gifts exchanged between Temujin and Jamukha, such as horses, symbolize the high value placed on the means of survival and prosperity in the Mongolian culture. Horses were not only essential for travel and warfare but also a sign of wealth and status. These exchanges and cultural practices illustrate the importance of maintaining honor and social obligations within the community for the cohesion and stability of society in both Japanese and Mongolian cultures.
Okuma Shigenobu's contentions about Western views show a protective stance towards Japanese cultural identity and a resistance against foreign influences which could potentially destabilize societal values and ethical systems already in place. The response to Okuma's reflections along with analysis of historical context indicates that behaving honorably is not just a personal trait but a cultural necessity to uphold social order and identity in East Asian societies.