“Any shallow trend, when it ends, causes people to bury a part of their youth and enthusiasm along with it, in the grave of time.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「どんな浅薄な流行でも、それがおわるとき、人々は自分の青春と熱狂の一部分を、その流行と一緒に、時間の墓穴へ埋めてしまう。」
English
“Any shallow trend, when it ends, causes people to bury a part of their youth and enthusiasm along with it, in the grave of time.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima reflects on the ephemeral nature of trends and the personal losses people experience as these trends fade away. He suggests that when a trend—regardless of how superficial or fleeting—comes to an end, it carries with it a portion of youth and passion that were once invested in it. These emotions, once vibrant and full of life, are now buried in the past, symbolized by the grave of time. Mishima’s use of the term “grave” highlights the finality of this loss, suggesting that these moments of intense engagement with a trend can never truly be recovered once they are lost to time.
Mishima often explored the tension between the impermanence of human experiences and the longing to capture or preserve them. In this case, he draws attention to how people’s attachment to trends—whether in fashion, culture, or ideas—often leads to a fading of vitality once the trend fades. The youthful enthusiasm that accompanies a trend is ultimately buried, and in that process, part of an individual’s identity or passion is also lost. Mishima suggests that this burial is a tragic consequence of society’s focus on the temporary, encouraging a reflection on how we often invest deeply in things that are inherently transient.
In a modern context, this quote resonates strongly with the rapid pace of cultural and societal shifts we experience today. In an era of social media, viral trends, and short-lived fads, people often invest a lot of their emotional energy into things that can disappear almost overnight. Mishima’s words serve as a reminder to be mindful of where we place our passions and enthusiasm, and whether they are tied to something lasting or simply temporary. His reflection encourages us to consider how much of our identity and sense of purpose is wrapped up in fleeting trends and to question whether we can find more enduring sources of meaning in our lives.
Would you like to share your impressions or related stories about this quote in the comments section?
