Question from a reader:
Do you think that if Yukio Mishima were alive, he would have become a remarkable politician for Japan alongside Shintaro Ishihara?
Yukio Mishima and the Path of Politics
Recently, a friend asked me if Yukio Mishima would have become a great politician for Japan if he were alive today, alongside Shintaro Ishihara. Honestly, I can’t agree with
that opinion. Mishima was not aiming to become a politician.
Mishima’s Ideals and Reality
The ideals he held were difficult to realize in reality. Looking back at his literature and philosophy, it seems he was constantly struggling between “ideals” and “reality.” To borrow a phrase from Hideo Kishida, he was perhaps in a state where “the true self does not exist.” I cannot imagine him addressing realities as a politician, especially since he could only express himself through performance. When I worked part-time at a judicial scrivener’s office, I often felt the weight of legal realities. To solve clients’ problems, a practical approach is essential. In that sense, I think an idealist like Mishima might lack the execution power needed in the political world.
Mishima’s Performance and My Part-Time Job
In the past, while organizing documents for clients at the office, I made the same mistakes repeatedly. Whether it was out of anxiety or simply being overwhelmed, I would sometimes flip documents upside down or overlook necessary papers. During those moments, a colleague would tell me, “It’s okay; life is a performance.” Indeed, we do, in a sense, play roles. However, I want to avoid losing myself as Mishima did.
Your Thoughts on Yukio Mishima
It is difficult to imagine Yukio Mishima as a politician, but there is much to learn from his works and thoughts. I believe his idealism prompts us to think deeply. What do you think? Please share your thoughts about Yukio Mishima or the relationship between ideals and reality in the comments. I would love to hear your opinions.
