“A writer must, at least once, have shared a bed with their time, and it seems they must be inspired by the memory of it.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「作家は一度は、時代とベッドを共にした経験をもたねばならず、その記憶に鼓舞される必要があるようだ」
English
“A writer must, at least once, have shared a bed with their time, and it seems they must be inspired by the memory of it.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima suggests that a writer must have an intimate connection with the era in which they live, symbolized by the metaphor of sharing a bed with their time. This implies that the writer cannot be detached from the society or period they exist within; they must have an experiential relationship with the cultural, political, and emotional forces of their time. Mishima emphasizes that this shared experience with the era should not be passive; rather, the writer must be inspired by the memories of their lived connection with the world, using it as a driving force for their creative work. This suggests that writing should not exist in a vacuum, but must be engaged with and shaped by the historical and social context of the writer’s life.
Mishima’s reflection on the writer’s relationship with time connects to his broader philosophy that art must be a reflection of the society that creates it. He often believed that authentic art cannot simply be a product of personal imagination or aesthetic contemplation; it must be deeply connected to the real world and the circumstances in which the artist lives. Mishima viewed the role of the writer as not only an observer but also a participant in the unfolding story of their time. By “sharing a bed with their time,” the writer becomes both a product and a voice of the era they inhabit, giving their work relevance and context. This idea is a challenge to the notion that artists can be purely detached or objective—Mishima believes the writer’s work is inherently shaped by their experience of the world.
In a modern context, this quote challenges the notion of artistic detachment that sometimes permeates contemporary culture, where creators often seek to remove themselves from the political or social context of their work. Mishima’s words suggest that writers and artists today should not shy away from their historical and cultural circumstances, but instead use those experiences to inform and inspire their creations. It calls for a reflection on how our time, with its unique challenges, technologies, and social issues, shapes the stories we tell and the art we create. Mishima encourages modern writers and creators to engage with their time deeply, allowing the memories and influences of the present to fuel their work, ensuring that it remains relevant and connected to the world in which it is made.
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