“A poet is someone who sacrifices themselves to their youth. They carry the remains of their youth with them throughout their life.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
- He became a representative figure of postwar Japanese literature, and was highly acclaimed both at home and abroad. He pursued his own unique aesthetic with themes of beauty and death, and ultimately committed seppuku at a Self-Defense Forces garrison. His life, which combined literature with action, continues to have a strong influence today.
Japanese
「詩人とは、自分の青春に殉ずるものである。青春の形骸を一生引きずってゆくものである」
English
“A poet is someone who sacrifices themselves to their youth. They carry the remains of their youth with them throughout their life.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima portrays the poet as someone who is deeply connected to the experience of youth. He suggests that a poet is not simply someone who writes about their youth but is someone who devotes themselves to it, even at the cost of their own selfhood. The idea of sacrificing oneself to youth reflects the intensity and passion that often accompanies the experience of growing up, particularly in the context of a poet’s life. For a poet, youth is not just a phase but a sacred, defining moment that continues to shape their identity and creative work throughout their entire life. The remains of youth, described as “formless” or “shapeless”, become something that the poet carries with them—an emotional burden and a constant influence on their art.
Mishima’s statement on the poet’s relationship with youth touches on his broader reflections on memory, identity, and the inevitable passage of time. He often explored how the past—especially formative experiences such as youth—shapes the way we see the world and express ourselves. For the poet, these memories of youth are not easily shed but become integral to their creative expression and their view of the world. The poet’s work, according to Mishima, is often an attempt to capture or resurrect the essence of youth, preserving it in words or images that will forever be tied to the past. The poet’s devotion to youth, then, is a form of nostalgia, a constant struggle to retain the passion and idealism of youth even as they grow older and face the realities of life.
In a modern context, Mishima’s quote offers insight into the creative process and the role that youth plays in shaping an artist’s perspective. Today, many artists—particularly poets—are still heavily influenced by their formative experiences, and the themes of youth and idealism continue to pervade their work. The burden of carrying one’s youth throughout their life may be seen as a way of preserving innocence or romanticism in an increasingly cynical and complex world. Mishima’s words suggest that, for the poet, youth is not just a fleeting period but a permanent influence that defines their art and existence. It challenges us to reflect on how our own past experiences, particularly those from our younger years, continue to shape how we see ourselves and engage with the world around us, as well as how we express ourselves creatively.
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