Swaddling Clothes (Further Reading)

Further Reading

• Benedict, Ruth. The Chrysanthemum and the Sword: Studies in Patterns of Japanese Culture, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1946.

  A sociological study of Japanese culture concentrating on its dual philosophy of cultural sophistication (the “chrysanthemum”) and military prowess (the “sword”). Stokes notes in his biography that Mishima read Benedict’s work and praised her for calling attention to the militaristic aspect of Japan rather than focusing exclusively on the delicacy and charm of its culture and traditions as other historians and sociologists conventionally do.

• Chan, Sucheng. Asian Americans: An Interpretive History, New York: Twayne Publishers, 1982.

  A comprehensive and thorough history of Asian migration to North America. Brings to light the poverty and economic disenfranchisement precipitated in Asian countries by western infiltration and forcible opening of trade ports, belying the myth that Asians migrated voluntarily to North America in search of the “American dream.” Includes concise chronology of Asian American history and bibliography

• Hosoe, Eikoh. Ba-ra-kei (Ordeal by Roses), New York: Penguin, 1985.

  A luxurious collection of photos and drawings by Hosoe, the bulk of which Mishima posed for during his program of rigorous body-building. Foreword written by Mishima.

• Napier, Susan J. Escape from the Wasteland: Romanticism and Realism in the Fiction of Mishima Yukio and Oe Kenzaburo, Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1991.

  A sophisticated and detailed critical analysis of Mishima’s central works, their literary styles, relationship to the literary movements of Japanese Romanticism and Realism. Compares Mishima to Nobel Prize winner Oe.

• Starrs, Roy. Deadly Dialectics: Sex, Violence, and Nihilism in the World of Yukio Mishima, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1994.

  A critical-historical analysis of the main themes prevalent in Mishima’s works. Explores Mishima’s philosophic progression from passive to active nihilism. Includes discussion of major works, links Mishima to 19th century German philosophers, particularly Nietzsche, and discusses his complex personal and literary relationship to the west.

• Stokes, Henry Scott. The Life and Death of Yukio Mishima, New York: Noonday Press, revised, 1995.

  A personalized and intimate biography of Mishima written by a close journalist friend. Recounts Mishima’s early childhood through the day of his suicide and summarizes details of Mishima’s central literary works. Speculates on Mishima’s motivations in forming the Tatenokai and staging his seppuku. Includes detailed chronology of Mishima’s life.

• Mishima Cyber Museum at www.vill.yamanakako.yamanashi.jp/bungaku/mishima/index-e.html

  An informative and interesting website dedicated to the life and literary works of Mishima. Managed by the Bungakukan Planning Committee in anticipation of the construction of the Yukio Mishima Museum (Bungakukan) on Lake Yamanakaka to accompany the Takahama Kyoshi and Tokutomi Soho Museums to complete the “Lake Yamanakaka Library Grove Trio.” To be completed July, 1999. Includes forum for posting questions and comments about Mishima’s life and work.