Yukio Mishima's The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea

A common misconception is that change always equates to progress, yet sometimes change can strip a society of its fundamental characteristics. Japan endured similar events, surrounding World War II that resulted in an increasingly Westernized country that lost it’s integrity and beliefs. In this allegorical novel, The Sailor who fell from Grace with the Sea, Yukio Mishima uses the characters Fusako, Ryuji and Noboru whom symbolize the different states of Japan to illustrate the plague of Westernization and convey the value of tradition in Japan. Primarily, Fusako embodies modern Japan with her obsession with foreign goods and focus on economic growth, which conveys Mishima’s discontent for foreign influence. She is the owner of a luxury shop that sells myriad Western items and Fusako incorporates Western culture into her life. However, she rejects traditional Japanese customs as “there wasn't a single Japanese room in Fusako's house; her mode of living was thoroughly Western” (Mishima, 113). To emphasize her association with Western values, Mishima always associates her with foreign items such as a “Danish ski sweater” (109) or “shiny brass beds...ordered from New Orleans” (4). This repetition creates a stark contrast between Fusako and the other characters as she is surrounded by foreign goods. While other characters such as her fiance, Ryuji are described elaborately, Mishima depicts Fusako as bland and pitiful

Throughout his literature and life, Mishima illustrates severe views regarding Westernization and that he greatly values traditional Japan. While some may view modern Japan as progressive Mishima acknowledges the deterioration of Japanese culture and marks Westernization as the death of their nation rather than the