Mark’s Comments (group member since Jan 22, 2013)

Mark’s comments from the mishima group.

What about Confessions of a Mask? Autobiographical?

It is an interesting comment about the Jungian archetypal symbolism. I wonder if the books can also be seen as a Jungian journey of self-realisation in the way that some of Herman Hesses books, especially Demian, are?

How do people feel about Isao at the end of Runaway Horses? Crime/madness/tragedy or victory/honesty/spirit/self-fulfilment?

Hi,

it is a huge question. Taking the books individually, I think Spring Snow and Runaway Horses are equally superb books. I found Temple of the dawn much more hard going, especially the long section about Buddhist philosophy/psychology Alaya Consciousness, although I still contains some of Mishima's most beautiful writing. The final books was more disappointing but plays it part in the whole tetralogy.

Another thought I had when reading these books was how much each of the last three changed how I thought about the previous book.

What was Mishima trying to say with these books? To me, he is trying to say something about a person's authentic spirit. This spirit is our natural selves before being corrupted by thoughts and expectations.

Also, I don't agree with some people who think that Runaway Horses is some kind of manifesto or justification for what Mishima did on the last day of his life. I think Mishima was suicidal because of some kind of fear of corruption or ageing. He just used the Runaway Horses type scenario are a kind of dramatic framework to stage his suicide.

"I do not think its appropriate to classify writers because of their sexual preference: just enjoy the music. "

That is true. Unfortunately there are still those who try to classify the love that many people of the same gender have for each other as unnatural, sinful, corrupt and seek to treat them as second class members of society. One small way to fight those attitudes is to point out that great people, from Alexander to Hadrian, Michelangelo to Tchaikovsky, Wilde to Mishima, loved in that way too.

"Too sane perhaps for a brutal and insensible world." Perhaps true. He was certainly one of the most sensitive and insightful authors.

"Spring Snow" remains for me the most beautiful work of literature I have read, But I feel hidden behind the beauty is a sadness and regret. It is hard to find the real Mishima in his work because too often, the person telling the story is fictional too.

You make a very good point there Sarah. I think Mishima's genius is a result of him being deeply uncomfortable within himself, if not totally mad.

Hi, I see no discussions on Mishima yet !! I thought I might start something with a mildly controversial topic.

My opinion: I think Mishima was probably gay but I think to call an author a "Gay Author" implies that he was comfortable with his sexuality. I don't think that can be said of Mishima. So I think not.