“Sadly, we have learned even the tools to critique the West from the West itself.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「悲しいことに、われわれは、西欧を批評するというその批評の道具をさえ、西欧から教わったのである」
English
“Sadly, we have learned even the tools to critique the West from the West itself.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima reflects on the paradox of how Eastern societies, particularly Japan, have adopted not only Western ideas but also the frameworks and methods of critiquing Western civilization. He laments that, in their attempts to criticize or analyze the West, Eastern societies have, in effect, been shaped by Western intellectual traditions. Mishima suggests that even the tools used to critique Western values—such as philosophy, critical theory, and literary analysis—are products of the very Western system they seek to challenge. This observation underscores the depth of Western influence on Eastern thought and the limitations of using Western-based methods to understand or critique Eastern identity and culture. For Mishima, this dependence on Western frameworks for critique is a tragic irony, as it reveals the subjugation of Eastern societies to Western intellectual dominance.
Mishima’s critique here is a reflection of his broader concern with the loss of cultural identity in post-World War II Japan. He believed that Japan, like many other countries in the East, had become too dependent on Western models of thought, culture, and governance, thereby losing touch with its own traditional values and aesthetic ideals. By relying on Western tools for self-analysis, Eastern societies risked losing their authenticity and uniqueness, according to Mishima. His critique of Westernization in Japan was not only about adopting Western technology and industrialization, but also about the internalization of Western ways of thinking and the adoption of Western intellectual frameworks that undermined Japan’s own cultural heritage.
In a modern context, this quote speaks to ongoing discussions about cultural imperialism and globalization, where Western values continue to dominate many parts of the world, including in education, media, and intellectual discourse. Mishima’s insight remains relevant as we see non-Western societies still grappling with the influence of Western models in everything from politics to artistic expression. His reflection on the tools of critique highlights the complex relationship between Western influence and Eastern identity in an age of globalization, suggesting that even resistance to the West can be shaped by the very culture one seeks to oppose. Mishima’s words encourage us to reconsider how societies navigate their cultural influences and find ways to define themselves beyond the frameworks imposed by external powers.
Would you like to share your impressions or related stories about this quote in the comments section?
