{"title":"Yukio Mishima","description":"\u003cp\u003eYukio Mishima's works delve into the complexities of identity, desire, and societal expectations, offering a profound exploration of human nature through richly crafted narratives. His writing blends elements of \u003cem\u003eromance\u003c\/em\u003e, philosophical reflection, and traditional Japanese culture, inviting readers into a world where beauty and tragedy intertwine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom evocative fiction to dramatic plays, Mishima's books challenge and captivate those interested in \u003cstrong\u003earts and culture\u003c\/strong\u003e as well as the psychological depths of his characters. Expect thought-provoking themes that resonate beyond the page, revealing the tensions between modernity and tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-sailor-who-fell-from-grace-with-the-sea","title":"The Sailor who Fell from Grace with the Sea","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea\u003c\/em\u003e by Yukio Mishima explores the dark and complex psyches of a group of disillusioned adolescents and the tragic consequences of their discontent. This haunting novel delves into the tension between idealism and reality, revealing the often brutal nature of human desires.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe story centres around Noboru, a thirteen-year-old boy who, along with his group of peers, rejects the adult world as being deceptive, hypocritical, and overly sentimental. The boys, led by an objectivist philosophical code, train themselves in a method of detachment they refer to as 'objectivity', which borders on inhuman coldness and cruelty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNoboru's world shifts dramatically when his widowed mother, Fusako, begins an affair with Ryuji, a ship's officer. At first, Noboru and his friends idealise Ryuji, viewing him as the epitome of heroism and detachment. However, their admiration quickly turns to disillusionment when they perceive Ryuji's more tender and romantic side, which they interpret as a betrayal of their ideals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis profound sense of betrayal sets off a chain of events that lead the boys to devise a chilling and deliberate act of retribution against Ryuji. The blistering critique of romanticised heroism and the dissection of adolescent idealism make \u003cem\u003eThe Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea\u003c\/em\u003e a thought-provoking read and a stark exploration of the human condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYukio Mishima's eloquent and penetrating prose provides a gripping narrative that lays bare the vulnerabilities and darkness within the human soul. As described by \u003cem\u003eTime\u003c\/em\u003e, this novel is truly 'a major work of art', blending psychological depth with philosophical inquiry and unforgettable storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45658295894252,"sku":"9780099284796","price":26.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780099284796.jpg?v=1724851463"},{"product_id":"the-sailor-who-fell-from-grace-with-the-sea-vintage-classics-japanese-series","title":"The Sailor Who Fell from Grace With the Sea (Vintage Classics Japanese Series)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Sailor Who Fell from Grace With the Sea\u003c\/em\u003e by Yukio Mishima delves into the intersecting lives of a disenchanted adolescent and a weather-beaten sailor, set against the backdrop of post-war Japan. The novel explores themes of innocence corrupted by disillusionment and the brutal clash between youthful idealism and adult sentimentality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe story follows a group of thirteen-year-old boys who vehemently reject the adult world, perceiving it as fundamentally illusory and hypocritical. They adopt a philosophy they term \"objectivity,\" a brutal and unfeeling stance towards life that eschews any form of sentimentality. Among them is Noboru, a poignant character torn between the innocence of youth and the cruelty he feels compelled to embrace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Noboru’s widowed mother, Fusako Kuroda, begins an affair with Ryuji Tsukazaki, a seasoned ship's officer, Noboru and his gang initially idealise the sailor. To them, Ryuji embodies the perfect hero, a paragon of unattainable ideals and the adventurous life they yearn for. However, this admiration is short-lived, as Ryuji begins to display what they regard as weaknesses – kindness, love, and dreams that tether him to a conventional life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe boys' disillusionment with Ryuji soon turns into a chilling sense of betrayal. They view his human vulnerabilities not merely as personal failings but as a profound transgression against their unwavering code of detachment and cruelty. The narrative crescendos to a shocking and deliberate act of retribution that starkly contrasts the innocence of their youth with their capacity for ruthlessness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYukio Mishima's skilful storytelling and eloquent prose make \u003cem\u003eThe Sailor Who Fell from Grace With the Sea\u003c\/em\u003e a haunting exploration of the darker facets of human nature. The novel is a cornerstone of Japanese literature, capturing the turbulence of post-war ideals and the disturbing interplay between purity and malevolence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis edition is part of the VINTAGE JAPANESE CLASSICS series, which brings together five masterpieces of Japanese fiction in beautifully designed gift editions. Following the success of the Vintage Russian Classics and European Classics, these coveted new editions celebrate the best Japanese writers on the Vintage list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAcclaimed by critics, with The Times hailing it as 'Mishima's greatest novel, and one of the greatest of the past century', this novel remains a pivotal read for those fascinated by psychological depth and cultural complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45692462629100,"sku":"9781784875428","price":28.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781784875428.jpg?v=1725564049"},{"product_id":"confessions-of-a-mask","title":"Confessions of a Mask","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eConfessions of a Mask\u003c\/em\u003e by Yukio Mishima is an introspective and vividly descriptive exploration of a young man's struggle with his concealed identity in post-war Japan. The protagonist, Kochan, a Japanese teenager, grapples with the awakening of his homosexual and sadistic desires in an acutely homophobic and conservative society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEach night, Kochan is haunted by intense fantasies in which he imagines his male classmates enduring torturous scenarios, inspired heavily by his fixation on Guido Reni's painting of St. Sebastian. His longing takes a particularly vivid and haunting form, where his desires are continuously played out in his imagination, filled with scenes of torment and violence. This secret life creates an ever-present inner conflict, as he must repress his true self to conform to the expectations of those around him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn an effort to dispel suspicions and appear \"normal,\" Kochan begins a fabricated romance with the sister of one of his school friends. This charade is not just a survival tactic but also a desperate attempt to fit into a society that does not accept him. His self-loathing and desperation become heightened by the pervasive shadow of World War Two, threatening the fragile balance he is trying to maintain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eConfessions of a Mask\u003c\/em\u003e is a poignant and powerful examination of identity, desire, and societal pressure. Mishima's prose delves deep into the tormented psyche of Kochan, presenting readers with a raw, honest portrait of a man torn between who he is and who he is expected to be. This novel is not only a bold narrative of personal struggle but also a critical commentary on the rigid structures of Japanese society at the time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book's rich imagery and emotional depth engage readers in a compelling journey through the protagonist's inner life, making \u003cem\u003eConfessions of a Mask\u003c\/em\u003e a timeless and thought-provoking read. 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Each of them hails from a different planet: Father from Mars, Mother from Jupiter, Son from Mercury, and Daughter from Venus. Already seen as oddballs in their small Japanese town in the 1960s, this extra-terrestrial knowledge brings them closer together. They climb mountains to wait for UFOs, study at home together, and regard their human neighbours with a kindly benevolence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut Father, Juichiro, is worried about the bomb. He writes letters to Khrushchev, trying to warn everyone he can of the terrible threat. After all, humans may be terribly flawed, but aren't they worth saving? He sends out a coded message in the newspaper to find other aliens. However, there are other extra-terrestrials out there, ones who do not look so kindly on the flaws and foibles of humans. Moreover, a charming young man, who claims to be from Venus too, tempts daughter Akiko away from the family...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46193649090796,"sku":"9780241441091","price":21.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780241441091.jpg?v=1739841599"},{"product_id":"forbidden-colours-by-yukio-mishima-9780141189567","title":"Forbidden Colours","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Japanese masterpiece, reissued in Modern Classics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWritten when Mishima was only twenty-six, \u003cem\u003eForbidden Colours\u003c\/em\u003e is a depiction of a male homosexual relationship, in which a rich older man buys the love of a young man who is stunningly handsome but lacks the ability to love. As in Mann's \u003cem\u003eDeath in Venice\u003c\/em\u003e, the older man's longing for the beauty of youth is associated with aestheticism and death.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46249893036268,"sku":"9780141189567","price":29.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780141189567.jpg?v=1741561947"},{"product_id":"spring-snow-by-yukio-mishima-9780099282990","title":"Spring Snow","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpring Snow\u003c\/em\u003e is the first novel in Mishima's masterful Sea of Fertility tetralogy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSet in Tokyo, 1912, the closed world of the ancient aristocracy is being breached for the first time by outsiders—rich provincial families, a new and powerful elite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKiyoaki has been raised among the elegant Ayakura family—members of the waning aristocracy—but he is not one of them. Coming of age, he is caught up in the tensions between old and new, and his feelings for the exquisite, spirited Satoko. His devoted friend Honda watches from the sidelines. 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Then she falls in love. The man is one of her clients, an aristocratic retired politician, and she renounces her business in order to become his wife. But it is not so easy to renounce her independent spirit. Eventually, Kazu must choose between her marriage and the demands of her irrepressible vitality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAfter the Banquet\u003c\/em\u003e is a magnificent portrait of political and domestic warfare, and love in later life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAn exquisitely paced high comedy at once characterized by humour and restraint... features a magnificently ebullient heroine as she embarks upon one more adventure in love\u003c\/em\u003e - Kirkus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMishima's most novelistic work, with a degree of earthiness and warmth rare in his fiction\u003c\/em\u003e - New York Times\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46271878299884,"sku":"9780099282785","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780099282785.jpg?v=1742260997"},{"product_id":"the-temple-of-dawn-by-yukio-mishima-9780099282792","title":"The Temple of Dawn","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe third novel in Mishima's masterful Sea of Fertility tetralogy, \u003cem\u003eThe Temple of Dawn\u003c\/em\u003e showcases Mishima's literary powers in a meditation on reincarnation and Buddhist philosophy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHonda, a brilliant lawyer and man of reason, is called to Bangkok on legal business. He is granted an audience with a young Thai princess known as 'Moonlight', an encounter that radically alters the course of his life. Convinced she is a reincarnated spirit, he undertakes a long, arduous pilgrimage to the holy places of India. There he encounters her again. 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It tells a fictionalised account of real events - the lonely acolyte who destroyed a famous Kyoto temple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMizoguchi grows up a lonely boy in a poor family, a hopeless and frustrated stutterer. Only tales of the beauty of a famous temple in Kyoto, told by his dying father, sustain him. Taunted by his schoolmates, he eventually escapes to become an acolyte at the temple. But there, witness to acts of callous violence and terrified by the bombing of the war, Mizoguchi develops an all-consuming obsession with the temple's preservation - until the beauty of the place itself starts to feel like his deadliest enemy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis powerful story of sacrifice and unattainable ideals brings together Mishima's preoccupations with violence, desire, religion and national history to dazzling effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOne of the outstanding writers of the world\u003c\/em\u003e - New York Times\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46298809106668,"sku":"9780099285670","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/8945533482223.jpg?v=1743043547"},{"product_id":"thirst-for-love-by-yukio-mishima-9780099530275","title":"Thirst for Love","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA story of a frustrated, confined woman who becomes lost in a psychological maze of her own creation—a labyrinth of jealousy, loneliness, and longing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEtsuko is a trapped woman who lays traps for others...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the early death of her philandering husband, Etsuko moves into her father-in-law's house, where she numbly submits to the old man's advances. 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Experience stories of a mother lost in mourning, a moonlit journey to fulfil a wish, a night of infidelity, and a young lieutenant who ends his life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46507448533228,"sku":"9780241630853","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/22073482274.jpg?v=1748717502"},{"product_id":"death-in-midsummer-by-yukio-mishima-9780241678947","title":"Death in Midsummer","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTen tales of loss and longing, from one of Japan's greatest writers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBringing together Yukio Mishima's finest stories, this selection showcases his extraordinary ability to depict a wide variety of human beings in moments of significance. A moonlit journey to fulfil a wish; a mother lost in mourning; a night of infidelity; and a young lieutenant who ends his life. Filled with rich description and luxurious beauty, these hauntingly beautiful short stories from one of Japan's greatest writers illustrate the pull between duty and desire, ecstasy and death.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the title story, \u003cem\u003eDeath in Midsummer\u003c\/em\u003e, set at a beach resort, a triple tragedy becomes a cloud of doom that requires exorcising. In another, \u003cem\u003ePatriotism\u003c\/em\u003e, a young army officer and his wife choose a way of vindicating their belief in ancient values that is as violent as it is traditional; it prefigured his own death by seppuku in November 1970. 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Taking us from a sun-drenched affair in a seaside town to an underground 'ark' full of shadows and eccentrics, with stops at mountains of skulls, lonely apartments, and boarding school dormitories, this series is perfect for new and long-time readers of Japanese literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKoji, a young student, has fallen hopelessly in love with the beautiful, enigmatic Yuko. But she is married to the literary critic and serial philanderer Ippei. Tormented by desire and anger, Koji is driven to an act of violence that will bind this strange, terrible love triangle together for the rest of their lives. 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In 1922, Aurthur Waley's fine translations appeared in a collection titled \u003cem\u003eThe Noh Plays of Japan\u003c\/em\u003e. Since then, interest has grown steadily in this unique art form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe emotion of these plays is so communicable that one can imagine them staged anywhere in the world. 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