“Art occupies the middle ground between the coldness of recognition and the warmth of action, and seeks to mediate between these two.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「芸術は認識の冷たさと行為の熱さの中間に位し、この二つのものの媒介者であろう」
English
“Art occupies the middle ground between the coldness of recognition and the warmth of action, and seeks to mediate between these two.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima suggests that art exists as a mediator between two opposing forces: the coldness of recognition and the warmth of action. The coldness of recognition refers to the intellectual, detached process of understanding or acknowledging something, where the focus is on thought, observation, or conceptualization. This stands in contrast to the warmth of action, which represents the passionate, embodied effort of doing, creating, or engaging with the world on a more physical and immediate level. Art, in Mishima’s view, serves as the bridge between these two realms—it is not merely intellectual nor purely physical, but combines elements of both, allowing for a fusion of thought and action.
Mishima’s exploration of art as a mediator reflects his belief in the complexity of the artistic experience. For him, art is not simply an exercise in thought or feeling, but a dynamic interaction between the mind and the body, between reason and passion. Art exists in a space where these opposing forces converge, and through this convergence, art has the power to transform recognition into action and to give physical expression to intellectual insights. In this sense, art is a transformative process that brings together the rational and the emotional, helping to harmonize these aspects of the human experience.
In a modern context, Mishima’s concept of art as a mediator resonates with how contemporary art continues to serve as a conduit for both intellectual critique and emotional expression. Today, artists often grapple with complex themes that require both cognitive reflection and passionate involvement—whether in the form of political activism, philosophical inquiry, or emotional exploration. Art is still viewed as a powerful tool that bridges the rational and the irrational, enabling individuals to engage with both ideas and actions in ways that provoke new insights and responses. Mishima’s quote encourages us to appreciate art as a space where thought and action are not at odds but are instead woven together, enabling a fuller, more complex understanding of the world.
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