LETTER : Why Mishima was eccentric
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.I MUST take issue with your contributor Richard Lloyd Parry ("Pace of change sets off tremors of insecurity", 26 March). There is no argument about Japan being in a state of crisis, but the point of this letter is to demonstrate the difference between Shoko Asabara, the guru of Aum Shin Rikyo (Ohm Ultimate Truth) and Yukio Mishima, the celebrated Japanese writer. In Mishima's case, it was a personal crisis that dictated his eccentric behaviour. He nearly died as a baby and was taken over by a possessive, overprotective grandmother who kept him from his mother until he was 12. He had a disapproving and probably jealous father who deplored his writings when, even as a boy, he demonstrated his remarkable gifts. All this resulted in an almost Oedipal relationship with his mother when they were finally reunited.
He was a homosexual who haunted the gay clubs of Tokyo yet married a girl who had to be someone who would "be a credit" to him. Paul Shrader had such trouble with his film because Mishima's widow would not approve the revelations in the original script.
He brilliantly demonstrated the concept the Japanese regard as tatema/honne, or omote/ura, appearance and reality, or outside and inside of a human personality. Mishima never came to terms with Koki (self-realisation). He craved love but never learnt to give or receive it.
James Stevens
London NW7
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments