/lit/ - Literature

>>14733774
https://youtu.be/okkccaekiHQ?t=968

>>14733774
>is Mishima actually a good writer?
Yes.
>was he ever taken seriously before the seppuku publicity stunt?
Absolutely, he was (and I believe still is) considered Japan's best modern writer.
>if so, which of his books should i read first?
Confessions of a Mask, but keep in mind that I haven't read a single one of his works.

>>14733774
He almost won the Nobel prize multiple times. I’d say that counts as being taken seriously. Read Sailor who Fell from Grace with the Sea or Confessions of a Mask.
>>14733833
Idiot

>>14733843
>Idiot
Seriously? That's what I get for being honest? You ended up recommending one of the books I recommended, so my post clearly wasn't bad or ill-intentioned.

>>14733843
>recommends the same book
>calls the other anon an idiot
kek, this should be a /lit/ banner

>>14733852
Try reading a book stupid

>>14733873
Fine, jerk.

Confessions of a Mask was good. I liked Temple of a Golden Pavilion's themes, but the main character is really unlikable -- it's like being in the mind of school shooter. Really disturbing work, and if you like Notes From Underground, you'll find ToGP right up your alley.

>>14733774
>was he ever taken seriously before the seppuku publicity stunt?
Yes you stupid retard.

He is a good writer. He was a pretty big deal in literary circles, so I would say he was taken seriously. These are good places to start with him:
>Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea
>Confessions of a Mask
>Temple of the Golden Pavilion
>any collection of his short stories
>>14733833
>Absolutely, he was (and I believe still is) considered Japan's best modern writer.
What? Kawabata and Dazai were better. Kawabata won a Nobel Prize and actually deserved it for "Snow Country." Dazai (especially "No Longer Human") is more widely read and influential in Japan, too. If I remember right, Mishima actually mentioned his anger at and jealousy of Dazai to a biographer of his who stayed with him for a while. I like Mishima's work and am interested in him as a person, but let's not go overboard with the praise.
>but keep in mind that I haven't read a single one of his works.
So why are you making value judgments about his work?
>>14733852
>but keep in mind that I haven't read a single one of his works.
>>14733855
Samefag

>>14733873
You’re the stupid one. They came to the same conclusion you did without even wasting time reading.

>>14733903
>samefag
no, I'm OP. But thanks for all the info, I'll start with Sailor since it seems to be the most popular

>>14733774
golden pavilion

>>14733903
>So why are you making value judgments about his work?
I'm bored and an anon asked for help on a subject I've seen discussed by people who have read him. So, I figured my recommendation would be as good as someone who has read him, and considering that both you and the anon who insulted me both put the book I mentioned in your recommendations it seems I was right to think that.

>>14733774
>Is Mishima actually a good writer?
> If so, which of his books should i read first?
I've only read The Sailor but for me it was pretty good/it's good. I like the writing style, at least what I get from an english translation at least. He uses a lot of uncommon words without sounding snobby/too highbrow; it reads as fluidly as other things that I like that have more of a "conversational" style. His descriptions are very vivid, the imagery he creates were one of the best things in his writing for me.
The book is also very allegorical and has some gruesome bits, which gives me the same kind of vibe as some japanese horror movies, as in gruesome but ethereal/atmospheric overall, idk.
If that sounds like it would be your cup of tea than definitely read it, cause it's also a very short read.

I intend to read Confessions in the future as I liked Sailor a lot and it seems like people usually say its his best. Sailor is probably a better starting point since it's good and way shorter/less commitment if you end up not liking him.

>was he ever taken seriously before the seppuku publicity stunt?
I have no idea about that though

>>14733912
I'd suggest reading confession of a mask if you have an interest in Mishima as a person.
'The Sea of Fertility' tetralogy is also fantastic.

anyone care to share how they interpreted the end of 'the decay of the angel'?
Obviously Honda went through the five signs of the decay of an angel but how come Satoko didn't remember Kiyoaki?

>>14733833
idiot

>>14733792
They talk exactly like LoGH, Mishima and Kawabata, I always just thought the Asians were emotionally stunted in understanding how Westerners talk but I guess they just talk like that themselves.

>>14733792
Wait so you're telling me I can actually see Mishima acting as a gangsta in old fims?

Based!

>>14734602
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukio_Mishima_bibliography#Film_adaptations
take your pick

I couldn't get through the second chapter of Confessions of a Mask. It is so gay. Every story is about how he loves raw masculinity and hates the sight of women. He even cums at the thought of the ripped men drawn on his adventure novels as a kid. What did his grandma do to him?

>>14735027
>being repelled by the sexuality of a fictitious character

I never got this. It's not like the scene is being superimposed on you visually. If you really can't get through, maybe read something "lighter" that will strengthen your tolerance.

>>14735077
>fictitious

Hardly. Mishima is on every page. I couldn't bother to care about the struggle or the writing. I put it down for White Noise, and it was the best decision I made.

>>14734569
I feel like I missed something somewhere in all the philosophical asides of Temple of Dawn and I'm still not clear on his actual relation to Buddhism. I've seen a lot of people interpret it from a nihilistic perspective that Honda's quest was ultimately a futile waste of life that paled in comparison to the larger than life figures he lived in the periphery of, but the final paragraphs just seem too serene and more like a celebration of Honda finally embracing the irrational in a moment of clarity given by Satoko, and transcending to some totality of existence beyond the bounds of history in "a place that had no memories, nothing." The second half of Sea of Fertility just seems really mysterious and tough to crack in general, and the little bit of scholarly writing on Mishima that exists in English seems to avoid it.

>>14734602
He only appears for a few minutes, but this should be a must-watch for Mishima fans.

>>14733903
>What? Kawabata and Dazai were better. Kawabata won a Nobel Prize and actually deserved it for "Snow Country." Dazai (especially "No Longer Human") is more widely read and influential in Japan, too. If I remember right, Mishima actually mentioned his anger at and jealousy of Dazai to a biographer of his who stayed with him for a while. I like Mishima's work and am interested in him as a person, but let's not go overboard with the praise.
lol, Mishima was going to get the prize but the judge at the last minute decided that he was too young. Kawabata stated that Mishima should have received the prize.

>>14735150
>He only appears for a few minutes, but this should be a must-watch for Mishima fans.
That stance always reminds me of the monkey betting in the simpsons. Someone should make an edit of it.

But what about Afraid to Die(1960)? I thought he was one of the main characters?

>>14734602
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxCvr6U2jjE

>>14735171
I still haven't seen Afraid to Die, but yeah, I think he plays the protagonist. Black Lizard is just such an entertaining part of the Mishima "mythology" where you have a film adapted from his screenplay of an old popular crime novel, lead played by his alleged gay lover and crossdresser Akihiro Miwa, his own brief appearance as a preserved corpse, plot based around the villain preserving the beauty of young bodies forever, etc.

>>14735197
>that video picture
kek, but cheers anyway anon.

>>14735211
He sure was a vain faggot.

>>14735132
they surely made Mishima look drugged out in that pic

>>14733774
>if so, which of his books should i read first?
The short story “Patriotism” is fantastic

What's the best Japanese book?

>>14735279
oops I meant >>14735150