“‘Bujutsu’ (martial arts) is about falling as a flower, while ‘Bun’ (literature) is about cultivating an immortal flower.”
- 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
「『武』とは花と散ることであり、『文』とは不朽の花を育てることだ。」
English
“‘Bujutsu’ (martial arts) is about falling as a flower, while ‘Bun’ (literature) is about cultivating an immortal flower.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima contrasts martial arts (武, “bu”) and literature (文, “bun”) through the metaphor of flowers. He suggests that martial arts is inherently tied to impermanence—just as a flower blooms and falls, the martial artist’s life and actions are often brief and ephemeral, symbolizing the transitory nature of strength, combat, and warrior spirit. The image of a flower falling signifies that the warrior’s life, much like a flower’s bloom, is destined to fade—whether through battle or the passage of time. In the world of martial arts, the focus is on living fully in the moment, with a clear understanding of mortality and the ephemeral nature of power.
On the other hand, literature is portrayed as the act of cultivating something immortal. Mishima uses the metaphor of a flower to suggest that literature, unlike martial arts, has the capacity to endure beyond the limitations of a single human life. Literary works are capable of surviving time, passing down wisdom, emotions, and experiences to future generations. The immortal flower reflects the longevity of written word, which can endure long after the author is gone, continuing to influence and enlighten.
Mishima’s distinction between martial arts and literature is a reflection of his dual interests in transience and immortality—the fleeting nature of the warrior’s life contrasted with the lasting impact of the writer’s work. While martial arts emphasizes momentary glory and honor, literature aims to preserve and transform human experience into something eternal. In a modern context, this distinction invites reflection on how we engage with legacy: whether we strive to live fully and intensely like a warrior, embracing the ephemeral nature of life, or seek to create something that endures beyond us, much like the immortal flowers of literature. Mishima’s words challenge us to consider the balance between these two forces—living for the moment while also striving to leave a lasting legacy through creative expression.
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