/lit/ - Literature

Mishima characterizes a continuation and reconciliation of the traditional Japanese spirit post WW2 when a lot of the darker sides of their culture were being denied in order to appease western sensibilities.

this darker side includes idolization of death/ death not being this bad thing to be avoided at all costs, homosexual relationships and strong social order based on heritage.

There is a definite reason why he became so popular in Japan that goes beyond appealing to some closeted homos and sadists...

He was a very tragic figure and a lot of his work deals with these similar kinds of heroes who sacrifice them selfs for big vague ideals while achieving little of consequence. They're struggling against the inevitable force of history in which they will be lost between the lines.

I think that Mishima was the catharsis of a superfluous way of life that almost overnight became taboo.