“Becoming delinquent is a violent means of abandoning childish innocence.”
- 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
「不良化とは、稚心を去る暴力手段である。」
English
“Becoming delinquent is a violent means of abandoning childish innocence.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima reflects on the concept of delinquency (不良化, “furyōka”) as a process in which an individual forgoes innocence and embraces violence—both literally and metaphorically. The use of the term “violent means” suggests that the act of becoming delinquent is not simply a passive transformation but involves a forceful or aggressive rejection of the childish or innocent aspects of one’s character. Mishima portrays delinquency as a way of shaking off the naïve or idealistic tendencies of youth, replacing them with a more hardened and aggressive approach to life. It is a rupture from a state of innocence to one of cynicism or rebellion, marked by a violent effort to reject conventional expectations.
Mishima often explored themes of growth and identity, and in this context, he frames delinquency as a forced evolution—one that requires the individual to reject certain parts of themselves (such as innocence or vulnerability) in order to adapt to a harsher world. The violence mentioned here is not necessarily physical, but can also be psychological, representing a brutal transformation of one’s inner life. Mishima’s depiction of delinquency as a violent process speaks to the emotional cost of leaving behind youthful innocence in favor of a more hardened, defensive persona.
In a modern context, this quote speaks to the ways in which societal pressures, peer influences, or disillusionment with the world can push individuals, especially the youth, toward delinquent behavior. Whether through rebellion against authority, alienation, or the need to assert control in a world that seems harsh, the journey towards delinquency can often feel like a violent shedding of one’s earlier, more innocent self. Mishima’s words suggest that this transformation is not easy or natural but is instead a forceful process that often involves significant inner conflict and sacrifice. The quote challenges us to reflect on how the journey from youth to adulthood, or from innocence to experience, is marked by moments of violence—both external and internal—as we shape our identity in response to the world around us.
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