“After youth, an artist spends half of their life asking about the meaning of youth.”
- 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
「青春以後の芸術家の半生は青春の意味を訊ねることに費やされる」
English
“After youth, an artist spends half of their life asking about the meaning of youth.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima suggests that for an artist, the question of youth—its meaning and value—becomes a central theme in their life after they have passed through it. The idea is that the artist’s later years are consumed with a search for understanding the significance of their youthful experiences, which are often marked by idealism, passion, and uncontrolled energy. This reflects Mishima’s view that youth is not simply a stage of life but a profound experience that shapes the artist’s identity and informs their work. Once youth has passed, the artist finds themselves in a process of reflection, seeking to reconcile their current state with the vision or memories of their youthful self.
Mishima’s words reflect a deeper philosophical inquiry into the nature of time and identity. For the artist, youth is not only a personal experience but also a source of artistic inspiration and meaning. After youth, the artist looks back, often feeling that their art must either capture or understand the essence of their younger years, while grappling with the inevitable changes that come with age. This creates a sense of longing or nostalgia, where the artist’s later works are shaped by a desire to uncover or express what youth truly meant in the context of their life and art.
In a modern context, Mishima’s quote highlights the enduring influence of youth on creativity and artistic expression. Today, many artists, writers, and creators find that their early experiences, whether in adolescence or early adulthood, become foundational to their later works. The search for meaning in youth is not confined to a single generation but is a universal process, where the reflections on youthful innocence, idealism, or even disillusionment become central to an artist’s creative journey. Mishima’s words encourage us to recognize the ongoing dialogue between the past and present, where the artist’s quest for meaning in their youth becomes a way to understand both their personal history and the broader human experience.
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