Politics, Culture, and Other Wastes of Time

Japanese writer Yukio Mishima (1925-1970) was a novelist, poet and playwright. His off-the-page life is perhaps even more interesting than his work as he was both a homosexual and a nationalist. Mishima died by committing ritualist suicide which shocked the world in 1970.

His life is the subject of the Paul Schrader film "Mishima," but the film got more attention for its Philip Glass soundtrack.

I was stunned to find a copy of Mishima's most famous book "The Sailor Who Fell From Grace" at a Salvation Army store in Reidsville, NC. Mishima is also known for the novel "The Temple of Golden Pavilion."

Here is the quote:

"At no time are we ever in such complete possesion of a journey, dawn to its last nook and cranny, as when we are busy with preparations for it."

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