Ok but the last chapter is beautiful, linking the glory of death to the sour taste of the tea was kind of bitter sweet. Ryuji rekindling his days as a sailor unknowing the fate that beholds him

YES YES YES! Finally, somebody other than me who sees this book the same way! I have only just turned 19 and started reading about a year ago, but this is the greates book ive ever read. It hits me in a way, and the descriptions and metaphores are so rich and creative, it was like losing my literature virginity! lol

In my opinion I think Mishima’s politics were simply a vehicle by which he wished to achieve some kind of glorious or meaningful death. He never went out to deliver that speech with any belief that the emperor’s authority would be reinstated or that a national uprising would be incited, it was an opportunity for performance and self realisation. I think in many ways the character of Ryuji acts as something of a self insert for Mishima to express the dilemma that he faced between a meaningful life and the nihilism of existence which had been laid bare by the advent of modernity. Mishima himself talked often in interviews, as well as in his non fiction book Sun and Steel, about the importance both of a grand purpose in life and of a meaningful death. I think it’s a shame when people pigeonhole him as a fascist, because it’s evident through his writing that he thought deeply about the philosophical problems of life and was able to express those problems with an unrivalled poetic grace. The clumsy hands that penned Mein Kampf and The Doctrine of Fascism are so far apart from Mishima’s work and depth of thought that it seems silly to compare them.

Hi mate! Just finished this myself and I am absolutely blown away. Hands down one of the most beautifully written, borderline disturbing books I've ever read. I think understanding Mishima's politics and stance on society in general massively helps you appreciate this masterpiece. You can subtly hear Mishima screaming out for the "old days" in between each line. It's honestly one of the best books I've ever had the pleasure of reading.

One of the best books I’ve ever read (well, listened to on Audible). Listened to it three times over a year and will definitely have to pick the physical book up at some point. Great review!

Really enjoying your videos! Would love to see a vid on Joyce as I’m currently digesting his works

this video was amazing

The first thing I read of his was "Patriotism." It was about a man and his wife who commit sepiku in the traditional way, for traditional reasons. It graphically describes every stage of this self mutilation is described in detail. And not just described, but described beautifully, the ascetics of violence.

You did too good of a job convincing me to read the book because I couldn't watch past the spoilers lol

I just finished this one, and am thinking about making a review. Have any of your opinions changed since making this video? I really enjoyed listening to your thoughts, it sounds like you really appreciated this novel.

Ryuji -- former generation, samurai, conservative, reactionary, mystical, aesthetical, self-sacrificing, detached, seeking transcendence, but prone to sensuality and lust (causing his fall), vain, masculine Fusako -- parent, capitalist, liberalist, westerniser, supports individualism and consumerism, high-society, rationalist, materialist, feminine, sensual, critical of the former. The Chief, Noburo and Gang -- children, new generation, nihilists, atheists, amoral, unconventional, against social institutions, revolutionary, anarchists, dispassionate, objective, beyond aesthetics and emotions, insensitive, rational, scientific (though critical of science), reject the sacred (and Noburus vague intimations), superman (Ubermensch) mentality, advocates of the will to power, vain, believe that end justifies means, from upper-class families, critical of the former two. Sea -- Infinite, immortal, elevating, transcending, blissful, inviting danger/death, timeless, eternal, irrational, beyond laws and conventions. Land - finite, material, society regulated by laws and conventions, bourgeois, self-preserving, mechanised, sensual.

Picked this up at a market a couple weeks ago. From the blurb sounded like a possible horror or have a dark theme and the cat part really shook me compared to the stuff before. Your video shed some light on the whole masculinity view of the boys. Messed up but an intresting read.

The Chief reminded me of The Judge from Blood Meridian. Similar vibes

I just finished it. Was surprised who easy it was to read, I was anticipating a dense read. I did enjoy it. Reminded me of Salinger in some respects, about avoiding “becoming a phony.”

I need a follow-up book with prose similar to this book because I cannot find anything to follow this up

Yes, of course,I have read.

Mishima's The Temple of the Golden Pavilion and Confessions of a Mask are found on various critics' "Greatest Novels of All Time" reading lists, so I chose Confessions as a Christmas gift (I tried to get Temple through the library, but I guess there is no copy in my state). I remember liking the biographical film Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters and look forward to reading his most critically acclaimed works before rewatching that film. I stopped watching this video as I don't want Sailor spoiled for me before I read it.

Thanks for everything you’ve done, your channel is a hidden gem in KZfaq, you should check waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett

interesting. saw a film version years ago as a youth, and hated it. Will have to approach it again and maybe read the book now. Thanks for renewing the interest. (5 hours later: just watched the film, and still disliked it. Now for the book...)

What's the meaning of the book title?

it's on my shelf. Read it three times. Must give it another read. I have this very complicated relationship with Mishima. When I stumbled on his books, in a public library, I just read them and fell in love with him and his writing. I did not really know about his politics because well, I did not even bother to really read a bio. I only got to the bio like years later when there was a wikipedia. So nowadays I have this very mixed relationship with his works. [But I also hve a mixed sentiment towards Japan as the society remains very racist and homophobic]. But yeah 5/5 if not 6/5. Also a very good way to start reading Mishima - it's very succint. The rest of his work is not. :)

It's like a samurai composing a death poem about "Children of the Corn" without an ending. It's frustrating in a good way.

This book jumped out at me also in a bookshop, had to have it. I didn't know how Mishima was going to redeem Noboru as a likeable person after starting with the peep-hole, but he remained an engaging character. The politics thing is ridiculous. I think it's a generation thing, many people act as if it is immoral to appreciate something that was made by someone with different politics. I guess that's the heart of cancel culture.

The reason many don’t like Mishima is that reading him you get a sense that he is a true psychopath who chose to channel his antisocial energies into writing rather than acting upon them. A brilliant, yet disturbing read.