 Ayako's downfall, as well as her motivation through much of the film, depends largely on the Japanese virtue of "giri", the obligation to support one's superiors, especially one's parents.The Murai family is not the only one that "Osaka Elegy" criticises.Whilst the Murais (aside from Ayako) represent what might be called overly-traditional, the Asai family is overly-materialistic.