Yukio Mishima
Yukio Mishima was a novelist, poet, and essayist, considered one of the most important twentieth-century Japanese writers. His works mix Japanese traditions with modernism, thereby achieving international literary recognition. In 1968 he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature, on that occasion the winner of this award was his mentor: Yasunari Kawabata.
The writer it was characterized by its discipline, as well as by the versatility of its themes (sexuality, death, politics ...). In 1988, the Shinchōsha publishing house - which published a large part of his books - created the Mishima Yukio Prize in honor of the writer. This award was given for 27 consecutive years, the last edition being in 2014.
Biography
Yukio Mishima was born on January 14, 1925 in Tokyo. His parents were Shizue and Azusa Hiraoka, who baptized him with the name: Kimitake Hiraoka. He was raised by his grandmother Natsu, who took him away from his parents at an early age.. She was a very demanding woman and wanted to raise him under high social standards.
First studies
By the opinion of his grandmother, entered the Gakushüin school, a place for high society and Japanese nobility. Natsu wished that his grandson had good relations with the aristocracy of the country. There he managed to belong to the editorial board of the literary society of the school. This allowed him to write and publish his first story: Hanazakari no Mori (1968), for the famous magazine Bungei-Bunka.
Second World War
As a result of the armed conflicts that unleashed World War II, Mishima was summoned to join the Japanese Navy. Despite having a weak-looking physique, he always maintained the desire to fight for his country. But his dream was truncated when he presented a flu picture in the medical examination, reason for which the doctor disqualified him considering that he had symptoms of tuberculosis.
Professional Studies
Although Mishima was always passionate about writing, he was unable to exercise it freely during his youth.. This because he belonged to a fairly conservative family and his father had decided that he should study a university degree. For this reason, he entered the University of Tokyo, where he graduated in Law in 1957.
Mishima practiced his profession for one year as a member of the Japanese Ministry of Finance. After that period, he ended up extremely exhausted, so his father decided that he should not continue working in that place. Later, Yukio devoted himself entirely to writing.
Literary race
His first novel was Tozoku (Thieves, 1948), with which he became known in the literary field. Critics considered him "participate in the second generation of postwar writers (1948-1949)". A year later, he continued with the publication of his second book: Kamen no kokuhaku (Confessions of a mask, 1949), work with which he obtained great success.
From there the author set about creating a total of 38 more novels, 18 plays, 20 essays and a libretto. Among his most outstanding books we can name:
- The rumor of the surf (1954)
- The Golden Pavilion (1956)
- The sailor who lost the grace of the sea (1963)
- The sun and the steel (1967). Autobiographical essay
- Tetralogy: The sea of fertility
Death ritual
Mishima founded in 1968 "Tatenokai" (shield society), a private military group made up of large numbers of young patriots. On November 25, 1972, he broke into the Eastern Command of the Tokyo Self-Defense Forces, along with 3 soldiers. There they subdued the commander and Mishima himself went to the balcony to give a speech in search of followers.
The main mission was to carry out a coup d'état and for the emperor to return to power. However, this small group did not get the support of the military present at the scene. Failing to achieve his mission, Mishima immediately decided to perform the Japanese suicide ritual known as seppuku or harakiri; and thus ended his life.
Best books by the author
Confessions of a mask (1949)
It is the second novel of the writer, considered by the same Mishima like autobiographical. Its 279 pages are narrated in the first person by Koo-chan (short for Kimitake). The plot is set in Japan and presents the childhood, youth and early adulthood of the protagonist. In addition, topics such as homosexuality and the false facades of Japanese society of the time.
Synopsis
Koo-chan. He was raised during the period of the Japanese Empire. He He is a thin, pale, sickly-looking young man. For a long time he had to deal with countless complexes in order to adjust to the main social standards. He lived in a family run by his grandmother, who raised him alone and provided him with an excellent education.
En In her teens, Koo-chan begins to notice her attraction to people of the same sex. As this happens, he develops many sexual fantasies associated in turn with blood and death. Koo-chan tries to establish a relationship with her friend Sonoko — to keep up appearances — but this never works. This is how difficult times go by for him, as he must discover and establish his own identity.
The Golden Pavilion (1956)
It is a novel set in the last years of the Second World War. The story describes a true event that occurred in 1950, when the Golden Kinkaku-ji Pavilion was set on fire in Kyoto. Its main character is Mizoguchi, who narrates the story in the first person.
The young man admired the beauty of the so-called Golden Pavilion and longed to be part of the Zen monastery of Rokuojuji. The book received the Yomiuri Prize in 1956, in addition, it has been adapted several times to the cinema, as well as plays, musicals, contemporary dance and opera.
Synopsis
The plot is based on the life of Mizoguchi, Who a young man self-conscious about his stuttering and unattractive appearance. Fed up with the constant teasing, he decides to drop out of school to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was a Buddhist monk. For this, his father, who is ill, entrusts his education to Tayama Dosen, prior of the monastery and friend.
Mizoguchi. He went through events that marked his life: the infidelity of his mother, the death of his father and the rejection of his love (Uiko). Motivated by his situation, the young man enters the Rokuojuji monastery. While there, he becomes obsessed with thinking about a possible bombing, which would destroy the Golden Pavilion, a fact that never happens. Still disturbed, Mizoguchi will perform an unexpected act.
The corruption of an angel (1971)
It is the last book of the tetralogy The sea of fertility, series in which Mishima expresses his repudiation of the changes and submissions of Japanese society. The plot is set in the 70s and follows the story of its main character, the judge: Shigekuni Honda. It should be noted that the writer delivered this work to his editor the same day he decided to end his life.
Synopsis
The story begins when Honda meets Tōru Yasunaga, a 16-year-old orphan. After losing his wife, the judge finds company with Keiko, to whom he comments on his desire to adopt Toru. He thinks it is the third reincarnation of his friend from childhood Kiyoaki Matsugae. Finally she enlists her support and gives her the best education possible.
After turning 18, Tōru has become a troublesome and rebellious person.. His attitude leads him to show hostility towards his tutor, even managing to make Honda medically incapacitated.
Months later, Keiko decides to reveal to the young man the true reason for his adoption, warning him that his preliminary reincarnations died at the age of 19. A year later, an aging Honda visits the Gesshū temple, where he will receive a shocking revelation.
