Yukio Mishima performs Mae

[Kokoro777]

Perhaps Mishima was the proverbial 'thorn in the side' of the post-feudal apathy (as he saw it) of the Japanese? They threw out many of the things they had treasured, the ideals and values they held aloft for centuries, in order to embrace what many thought were superior Western ideals and Mishima questioned that although perhaps he went a little too far. I quite like people who go against the grain or the consensus because they're the ones that make the rest of us think, 'Is that really a good idea? Should we be going down that route?' and sometimes, they're right.

[Ändi]

I'm not sure he really was trying to change anything. From studying him in my Japanese literature classes it seems that he was only creating the stage for his own suicide, which he fantasized about. He never really expected to be able to rally the troops.

Exactly, his death scenario probably goes back to his childhood memories of the failed Kodo-ha coup d'état in Feb 1936. Read this little essay on Mishima and Patriotism - one of his works -, I found it interesting when I read it a while ago. But no matter how controversial a person he was, I enjoyed what I've read from him.

Ummm this has gotten slightly OT. I'll try to get back on topic by stating that even I (as an Iaidiot) can see that Mr. Mishima was very obviously much more skilled as a writer than as a swordsman. But what I find really disturbing is the music they put in that youtube vid...

[b8amack]

Perhaps Mishima was the proverbial 'thorn in the side' of the post-feudal apathy (as he saw it) of the Japanese? They threw out many of the things they had treasured, the ideals and values they held aloft for centuries, in order to embrace what many thought were superior Western ideals and Mishima questioned that although perhaps he went a little too far. I quite like people who go against the grain or the consensus because they're the ones that make the rest of us think, 'Is that really a good idea? Should we be going down that route?' and sometimes, they're right.

"Perhaps" he went too far?

[Gessho]

I just finished reading his book, "Sun and Steel" and really enjoyed it. You can look at it as a call to action for physical improvement as a way of growing the spirit. Well, that was what I took away from it. In any case, his writing style is very educated but sometimes old-fashioned for current readers.

[David G]

I wonder if he'd pass an ikkyu grading now?

No. I shouldn't think so . . .

[Gessho]

Ikkyu? I think he would. He passed godan in Japan and one would assume that the test was as vigorous as it is now. I think people are hard on Mishima because of his personal life and conservative ideology (although he did call for Hirohito abdicate and take responsibility for the war so how "right-wing" he really was is up for debate).