“Unimportant things should follow trends, and trends can be said to be ‘unimportant things.'”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「どうでもいいことは流行に従うべきで、流行とは、「どうでもいいものだ」ともいえましょう。」
English
“Unimportant things should follow trends, and trends can be said to be ‘unimportant things.'”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima reflects on the nature of trends and their relationship to triviality. He suggests that trends, by their very nature, are linked to things that are ultimately insignificant or unimportant—they come and go, often lacking lasting meaning or value. For Mishima, following trends is appropriate for unimportant matters, as these trends are inherently fleeting and superficial. He implies that trends are temporary, and the things that ride on them are often transitory and insubstantial. Mishima’s use of this observation seems to be a critique of the way society often places importance on things that are, in his view, ephemeral and without lasting value.
Mishima’s critique of trends aligns with his broader philosophical concerns about modernity, materialism, and the loss of meaning in society. He frequently expressed disillusionment with the superficiality of contemporary life, where transient trends or fashions often overshadow deeper, more substantial human pursuits. By framing trends as unimportant things, Mishima challenges us to think about what is truly worth our attention, suggesting that chasing trends can often lead to the misplacement of priorities. This idea reflects his broader tension between authentic existence and the fickleness of modern culture.
In a modern context, Mishima’s words can be seen as a critique of consumerism and the fast-paced nature of popular culture today. In an age where trends seem to emerge and fade at an ever-accelerating rate—whether in fashion, technology, or social media—Mishima’s quote invites us to question whether it is worth investing energy or resources into things that are, by nature, fleeting and disposable. The challenge is to look beyond the trivial to engage with things that have deeper meaning and enduring value, rather than being swept along by the current of temporary fads.
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