Sun and Steel

More about the book

In this fascinating document, one of Japan's most renowned and controversial writers creates a new literary form that blends various writing styles yet defies categorization. It can be read as an account of a bookish boy discovering the significance of his physical existence; the "sun and steel" symbolize the cult of the outdoors and bodybuilding. Additionally, it serves as a discussion on the relationship between action and art, particularly the author's own refined artistic expression. On a personal level, it chronicles an individual's quest for identity and self-integration, while also illustrating how a deeply individual focus can evolve into a profound philosophy of life. Mishima's complex yet polished style weaves these elements together, merging confession, self-analysis, philosophy, and poetry into a cohesive whole that is both perfect and self-sufficient. This work is as meticulously crafted as Mishima's novels and offers essential insights into understanding them as art. The path to salvation depicted is highly personal, yet it resonates with universal themes, culminating in a poetic vision that transcends the individual. This document is a poignant and significant reflection on the future trajectory of one of modern literature's most compelling novelists.