Yukio Mishima

Yasuda AuditoriumSecond Indian Expedition - Travels to Buddhist sites in India and Sri Lanka

(58) A Visit to the University of Tokyo's Yasuda Auditorium - What was that Yasuda Auditorium Incident at the University of Tokyo? Thoughts on the Student Conflict of the Time

While traveling in India and Sri Lanka, I was reading books about the student conflict. In particular, "72 Hours at the Fallen Yasuda Auditorium of the University of Tokyo" by Sasa Atsuyuki vividly described the backstage of the Yasuda Auditorium incident.

I am now on my way to the Yasuda Auditorium. For me, the University of Tokyo, which I have visited many times, looked completely different on this day.
Akutagawa RyunosukeYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

Ryunosuke Akutagawa's 5 recommended works - If you want to taste a masterpiece medium and short story with excellent sharpness, Akutagawa is the right choice! Recommended for both beginning and expert readers!

Yukio Mishima and Osamu Dazai are truly two extremes. While Yukio Mishima and Osamu Dazai are the two extremes, Ryunosuke Akutagawa is a middle-of-the-road artist with a moderate and good style.

The "middle-of-the-road, moderately good" style of writing is only in comparison with Mishima and Dazai. Its sharpness is outstanding.

I recommend this collection of works at the highest level as an introduction to reading. Of course, even the experts will be surprised at the depth of these works.
Buddhist Thought 4Buddhism in India

Buddhist Thought 4: Recognition and Transcendence <唯識〉 - A recommended commentary on the highest level of Mahayana Buddhist thought!

While "Buddhist Thought 2: Analysis of Existence " introduced in the previous article explained Abhidharma, the pinnacle of Buddhist philosophy in Theravada Buddhism (or more precisely, Theravada Buddhism), this work, "Buddhist Thought 4: Recognition and Transcendence " is a recommended reference book on the philosophy of wisdom, considered the pinnacle of Mahayana Buddhist thought. The book is a highly recommended reference book on the highest level of Mahayana Buddhist thought.

In this book, we will first look at what materialism is in the first place and from what historical aspect it has emerged. For us readers, it would be too strict to start with an esoteric idea. Therefore, this book is an introductory book, so we will start by looking at the process of its formation rather than the esoteric philosophy of materialism and get a rough overall picture of it. This was very helpful to read.
Yukio Mishima and BuddhismYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

The connection between Yukio Mishima and Buddhism: Where did Mishima learn Buddhism, including the philosophy of Yusama in "The Sea of Fertility"?

We do not know what Mishima actually read when he studied Buddhism, but we know from the article in the complete works referred to here that he read a number of introductory books and arrived at Yudhistra, and that he was taught by Dr. Masu Yamaguchi of Otani University.

I am now deeply aware that I would like to relearn the Yoboku-kyo again in order to better appreciate "The Sea of Fertility," which became Mishima's lifework. This will be an important point in understanding Mishima's thoughts in his later years.
Yukio Mishima Impressions of IndiaYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

Yukio Mishima's "Impressions of India" - What did Mishima see and think during his trip to India in his later years? Strong influence on "The Sea of Fertility!

Yukio Mishima spent 15 days in India in the fall of 1967. The route was a forced march around the vast country of India.

In his later years, Mishima had a fairly strong interest in India. This is not an age when anything can be easily searched on the Internet. You cannot learn much about Hinduism without actively gathering information yourself. This strong interest in India and Buddhism seems to have greatly influenced Mishima's literature, especially "The Sea of Fertility.

There is no doubt that this interview article is an important source of information about Mishima's views on India.
Introduction to Behavioral ScienceYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

Yukio Mishima, "Introduction to Behavioral Studies" - Mishima himself wrote about his own self-determination! Recommended commentaries for understanding Mishima's suicide

Until Mishima's suicide on November 25, 1970, almost no one had expected him to make his decision. Yes, many people had noticed something vaguely unusual about Mishima, but they did not think that he would go to such lengths.

But after his suicide, time after time, it turned out exactly as Mishima had predicted in this book. In "An Introduction to Behavioral Science," Mishima's thoughts are expressed directly. I am going to do it. I will take action. I am not just a man of my word.
Yukio Mishima and the Tatenokai IncidentYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

Masayasu Hosaka, "Yukio Mishima and the Tatenokai Incident" - Recommended reference book to learn about the detailed process leading up to his suicide at the Self Defense Forces Ichigaya Camp in 1970.

On November 25, 1970, Yukio Mishima and four members of the Tatenokai holed up in the Ichigaya Camp of the Self-Defense Forces, and after making speeches from the balcony urging the uprising against the Self-Defense Forces, both Mishima and Masakatsu Morita committed seppuku (ritual suicide). This book is the best introduction to the background and circumstances of this shocking incident.

The book provides a fairly detailed look at the process that led to Mishima's suicide. I found the explanation of the formation of the Tatenokai, its progress, and Mishima's connection to the Self-Defense Forces to be particularly interesting.

I can't introduce its contents here, but I was also surprised by the number of "eh! I can't tell you about the contents of the book here, but I can tell you that I was surprised by many things that came out. I think my view of Mishima changed before and after reading this book.
Music Yukio MishimaYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

Yukio Mishima's "Music" Synopsis and Impressions - A masterpiece that contains a critical challenge to Freud's psychoanalysis!

A unique work that dramatically depicts the depths of the female psyche and sexuality."

Although this introduction may make it sound like a dubious work, "Female Psychology and Sexuality," this work is actually a novel written by Mishima in which he challenges Freudian psychoanalysis. I read this book precisely because I was interested in this challenge to Freud.

The protagonist of this work is a psychiatrist. The story progresses in the form of a memoir by this middle-aged psychiatrist.

He presents his own psychoanalysis in abundance in this memoir, but he is not with the right person! His plausible interpretations are overturned one after another by the mysterious actions and words of beautiful women. Herein lies Mishima's challenge to Freud.
After the Banquet Yukio MishimaYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

Yukio Mishima's "After the Banquet" Synopsis and Impressions - Highly acclaimed overseas! A problematic work that led to a privacy lawsuit

While Mishima tried to depict "the times" in "Kagamiko's House," his current work, "After the Banquet," was written based on the actual election of Hachiro Arita, a politician, as governor of Tokyo.

However, after the publication of this novel, Mishima was sued by Mr. Arita. This became the first privacy trial in Japan, and Mishima suffered a psychological shock following the house of "Kagamiko's House.

However, as Mr. Tokuoka and Donald Keene state, the work itself is undoubtedly very good. This work seems to be highly appreciated overseas as well.