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Anyone a big Mishima fan? I didn't see his name on the list...does this site have a search feature?
Anyone a big Mishima fan? I didn't see his name on the list...does this site have a search feature?
My favorite Japanese author, with Kenzaburo Oe a close second.
Was this the first Japanese Nobel Laureate?
...and Kobo Abe?
Kawabata himself said that Mishima was the better writer. At that time since he was older the Nobel went to Kawabata and since they don't like to give it to the same country too often...Mishima was out of luck.
Kawabata himself said that Mishima was the better writer. At that time since he was older the Nobel went to Kawabata and since they don't like to give it to the same country too often...Mishima was out of luck.
There is an amusing interview with them both sitting casually and Kawabata puts on a humble almost school girlish act when asked about the prize claiming he didn't seek or want it. Mishama does not suffer the sham modesty silently
I read somewhere that for the period of a year after Mishima's death Kawabata was afflicted with nightmares until finally ending his own life.
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Personally I don't consider Kobo Abbe any lower in stature. I agree with Kenzaburo Oe's evaluation of Abbe's value.
Huge Mishima fan here! I lived in Japan a while, and even visited his grave
I started with the Temple of the Golden Pavillion. That was hard work, because of the long digressions about beauty and a fairly thinly spread plot. The Sea of Fertility on the other hand i rate as the best cycle of novels ive ever read, especially Spring Snow. And Patriotism stayed with me for ages.
I read comparisons with Murakami, whom i by no means dislike, but for me they are not in the same league.
Kenzaburo Oe and Mishima never got on and Oe scoffed at Mishima's suicide, saying it was a stunt put on for foreign journalists (i couldnt find the exact words he used. sorry!
In "The Japan Diaries", Donald Richie gives an interesting account of his personal friendship with Mishima. anyone interested, check it out...