The Decline of Tradition & Civilization: Mishima and The West

On November 25, 1970, the prolific Japanese author and right-wing nationalist Yukio Mishima performed ritual suicide. His demonstration disturbed the literary, political, and intellectual world of Japan and has had far-reaching implications for the world. In this analysis, I offer a brief biographical sketch of Mishima’s life and how he became one with his philosophy, politics, and literature. My ultimate aim is to show how the hyper-“modernization” and westernization of Japan parallels many of the same conflicts Western Civilization is currently facing with the collapse of both modernity and tradition. To do this, I examine five themes of Mishima’s work – Contradiction as Truth, The Virtue of Authenticity, The Necessity of Myths, Masculinity, and The Power and Politics of Beauty – to warn us about the dangers and conditions of fanaticism in our own cultural context. In particular, elements of radical leftism and the alt-right are already anticipated and understood by Mishima, as both views are premised on a deep dissatisfaction with current systems of power and advocate non-standard epistemologies. Mishima was critical of capitalism and the rampant materialism corrupting Japanese Society, but his alternative required going back to the traditions and values of the past. His ultimate thesis is that with the disenchantment of reality and the decline of tradition, civilization enters into disorder and a crisis of identity. I close by asking us to ponder what the future holds, and if we are ready to address the challenges of fanaticism. Keywords: Japan, Mishima, Fanaticism, Modernity, Tradition, Wes