You owe me Giri - what do I owe you?


[Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giri_\(Japanese\)) defines 義理 _giri_
as

> a Japanese value roughly corresponding to "duty", "obligation", or even
> "burden of obligation". It is defined as "to serve one's superiors with a
> self-sacrificing devotion" by Namiko Abe.

Question: I have forgotten the inverse/reciprocal. What is the Japanese word
for "duty" or "obligation" to those who owe you _giri_?

* * *

[Update] It seems like I maybe used the wrong word, or that others are
misunderstanding me.

I am thinking of a novel I read about 20 years ago about mediaeval Japan.

Would it be correct to say that a samurai owes his lord giri? If not, what is
the word? And, what duty of care/protection, etc, does the lord owe to the
samurai?




As per the questioner's request, I'm putting my response here:

義理 defines a reciprocal obligation. For example, a company looks after its
workers, and in return the latter demonstrate their loyalty beyond the
ordinary. 義理チョコ(girichoko) is another example of duty, in this case motivating
a female employee's giving her male co-workers chocolate on Valentines Day, as
is the custom. If she gives chocolate to someone she has genuine feelings for,
this gift is 本命チョコ(honmeichoko). This present isn't simply an expression of
duty.

先輩/後輩(senpai/kouhai) is another example of duty that exists on both the side
of the senior 先輩 and junior 後輩. The 先輩 gives protection and helps the 後輩,
while the 後輩 serves the 後輩 in some capacity, in keeping with their inferior
status.

I think the concept you were reaching for in your question is 恩(on). This is
roughly equivalent to a social debt. It is not necessarily an automatic
expression of duty. This comes when someone goes a step further to help
someone. In return, the person receiving the benefit feels a debt of
gratitude, which can never be repaid, so they are bound to their benefactor.
There is a complex web of 恩.




As per the questioner's request, I'm putting my response here:

義理 defines a reciprocal obligation. For example, a company looks after its
workers, and in return the latter demonstrate their loyalty beyond the
ordinary. 義理チョコ(girichoko) is another example of duty, in this case motivating
a female employee's giving her male co-workers chocolate on Valentines Day, as
is the custom. If she gives chocolate to someone she has genuine feelings for,
this gift is 本命チョコ(honmeichoko). This present isn't simply an expression of
duty.

先輩/後輩(senpai/kouhai) is another example of duty that exists on both the side
of the senior 先輩 and junior 後輩. The 先輩 gives protection and helps the 後輩,
while the 後輩 serves the 後輩 in some capacity, in keeping with their inferior
status.

I think the concept you were reaching for in your question is 恩(on). This is
roughly equivalent to a social debt. It is not necessarily an automatic
expression of duty. This comes when someone goes a step further to help
someone. In return, the person receiving the benefit feels a debt of
gratitude, which can never be repaid, so they are bound to their benefactor.
There is a complex web of 恩.

