Kiyo is the oldest brother. Toshio fights with their parents when they expect him to fulfill his "filial duty" to repay the family's debt and when they refuse to allow Tosh and Kiyo to enroll in high school. Their culture teaches them that the oldest sibling is the one that has to pay the debt and the bills the family (Grandparents and parents) has accumulated. Tosh claims that the money his parents made was stolen by the grandfather and that therefore it is not up to him to repay it; moreover, he argues that filial duty must be earned and that the parents haven't earned it. Still, Tosh goes along, giving the parents a combination of his and his wife's earnings. Kiyo, observing these problems, realizes he must resist being subservient; he eventually joins the Army, both to get away from home and to help his family with their income. The story goes on about how paying your family debts is the oldest sons’ responsibility. At the end, Kiyo wins enough money in a barracks' gambling match to help Tosh pay off all the debt.
The meaning of the title is that Toshio is fighting against his heritage and has his own mind in what he wants to do. He believes Grandpa stole all their money and that it’s not anyone’s responsibility to pay back any debt that Grandpa has and that Grandpa should pay it himself. That is why this books title is “All I asking for is my body”. He wants to do what he wants to do!!!!
What a cute story. I really enjoyed the book. I enjoyed reading about how the Japanese did things. It’s so different than the things we do here but that’s what made it so interesting to readJ
