A Prominent Figure in Japanese Literary And Social Thought, Mishima Yukio

Abstract

The writer is a member of the society in which they live, and their works are closely tied to that society’s values, contradictions, and transformations. The life and work of Mishima Yukio are among the clearest examples of this idea. The main phase of Mishima’s literary career coincides with the second half of the 20th century – a period marked by dynamic and flexible development in modern Japanese literature. After the devastation of World War II, Japanese writers sought to express the profound social, political, and cultural changes experienced by society through literature. This era was characterized by the emergence of new literary tendencies that reflected the traumas of the past and the complexities brought about by modernization and globalization. In postwar Japanese literature, the clash between traditional values and modernity emerged as a central theme. In this context, Mishima Yukio stands out as a writer who consistently explored the degradation of Japanese national identity and national ideals, and the necessity of preserving traditional ideals. Mishima advocated for a return to Japan’s traditional values and the restoration of the emperor system. Unwilling to accept the defeat of the society he represented, Mishima ended his life in 1970, at the age of 45, through harakiri – a striking indication that he recognized no boundary between art and life, and sought to realize his ideals in both realms.

As one of the most unique literary figures in Japanese literature, Mishima Yukio’s life and work construct a world where tradition collides with modernity, and beauty with death – inviting readers to explore this complex world.