Mishima and Soseki
Soseki and Mishima were both concerned with the erosion of Japanese traditions. After World War II the gap between the young and the old was made more apparent and traditions were lost. Mishima felt that Japan had succumbed to western ideas and cultures and was diluted of its own cultural heritage. Soseki also felt that the gap between old and young people was widening and that this was causing misunderstandings between generations. It was in this period that the emperor denounced his divinity and admitted to being merely human. Mishima was among those who became disillusioned and felt betrayed. He wanted Japan to revert to its days of honor when the land was filled with samurai; he was obsessed with the Japanese code of honor. The era of samurai defined the Japanese spirit. When the emperor denounced himself it meant the end of Japan as Mishima wanted it. He was prepared to die if that would bring back the spirit of honor in Japan. Soseki wrote Kokoro in the time when the Confucianist ideals of position in families were being challenged. As the changes in Japan separated parents and children's ways of thinking, the relationships between them also changed. Both authors were afraid of what Japan might become if left to
Soseki and Mishima wouldn't let Japan blindly forget its traditions and spirit as it raced to catch up with the western powers and adhere to modern standards. The message of their novels speaks strongly and plainly as a warning not to forget what spirit and tradition means. Their fear that Japan might lose its spirit altogether compels them to write in admonition novels that speak against the younger generation's forgetfulness. The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea and Kokoro are literary works that bring to light the terrible possibility that Japan might never have the same spirit as it once did. Both authors link death with honor. It is honorable for General Nogi to commit ritual suicide after the emperor dies, because he has fulfilled his duty. In Kokoro, Sensei commits suicide because he can no longer face the world in which he has no reason to live. His guilt of K's death keeps him from enjoying life, and the gap between old and poor further drives him to despair. The only solution to save him from guilt is to die. As the Meiji era died, it took many lives with it. Sensei could not live in the new era; he couldn't accustom himself with the changing traditions. Soseki reveals his view that death is an acceptable escape from the changing world. Soseki was more concerned about the gap separating the young and old, which was created when Japan was in transition at the end of the Meiji era. He was worried about the new generations forgetting their traditions in the rush to become modern and westernized. He felt that modern society failed to understand ancient tradition, and that this was causing misunderstandings between children and their parents. This is portrayed in the relationship between the narrator and his father as they continually misunderstand each other. "I decided to say nothing, rather than try to explain to them clearly what my feelings were. The gulf between us was too great." This chasm in communication kept the families from coming together as they once did, and Soseki feared the trend would continue to appear and grow more common. In order to redeem oneself, there must be a sacrifice. This was the view of both authors, as shown in their books. In The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with
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Approximate Word count = 1516
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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