“Literature, no matter how full of dreams it may be, or how it may evoke dreams in the hearts of its readers, always begins with the point where the author’s own dream has been shattered.”
- 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
「文学は、どんなに夢にあふれ、又、読む人の心に夢を誘い出そうとも、第一歩は、必ず作者自身の夢が破れたところに出発している。」
English
“Literature, no matter how full of dreams it may be, or how it may evoke dreams in the hearts of its readers, always begins with the point where the author’s own dream has been shattered.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima reflects on the origin of literature, asserting that true literature emerges from a personal crisis or the disillusionment of the author’s own dreams. While literature is often associated with idealism, imagination, and the creation of dreamlike worlds, Mishima suggests that its true power is born from the painful experience of having one’s own dreams or visions shattered. The first step of creating literature is not the creation of a dream but the recognition of its collapse, where the author confronts the reality of their own failures, losses, or disappointments.
This idea underscores Mishima’s belief that great art arises from deep personal struggle and emotional turmoil. The author’s personal disillusionment or broken dreams become the catalyst for the creative process, leading to works that transcend personal grief and speak to universal human conditions. The dream that is shattered becomes a starting point for the author to explore new realities, philosophies, and understandings, offering readers not just an escape into dreamlike realms, but a reflection on the brokenness of the world itself. Mishima suggests that it is only when the author’s dreams are broken that literature becomes a tool for transformation, both for the writer and the reader.
In a modern context, this quote highlights how literature—whether through fiction, poetry, or essays—often begins with personal disillusionment or trauma that the author seeks to process or express. Today, many writers use their work to confront personal failures, losses, or societal disillusionment, creating stories that resonate with readers who may share similar struggles. Mishima’s words remind us that the creative act is not just about idealization but is deeply tied to self-reflection, vulnerability, and the courage to face the reality of our own broken dreams. In this sense, literature becomes a vehicle for healing and understanding, offering both the writer and the reader an opportunity to rebuild after loss.
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