“Passion for literature generally arises during the spring-like onset of a fever.”
- 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
「文学に対する情熱は大抵春機発動期に生れてくるはしかのようなものである。」
English
“Passion for literature generally arises during the spring-like onset of a fever.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima compares the passion for literature to a fever that arises in the spring—a metaphor that suggests both intensity and temporary nature. The use of “spring-like onset” connects the passion to a burst of energy and awakening, much like the season itself, which brings forth a renewed vitality and growth. The comparison to a fever implies that this passion can be overwhelming, feverish, and even irrational at times, indicating that the desire to engage with literature may arise suddenly and with an almost compulsive urgency. Just as a fever comes and goes, this literary passion may be transitory, rising and falling in cycles of intense engagement and retreat.
Mishima’s words reflect his belief in the ephemeral nature of certain creative impulses. Literature, like a fever, may not be a constant in a person’s life, but rather something that comes in waves—a powerful force that takes hold for a period, only to fade away until it returns. The spring-like nature of the fever also suggests a seasonal aspect of creativity, where new ideas and passions can emerge and flourish in certain times of life, only to be replaced by other interests or concerns as time moves on. This view of literary passion highlights its fleeting and temporary nature, as well as the intensity with which it can affect the individual during its peak.
In a modern context, this quote may resonate with how people often experience bursts of intense interest in specific topics or creative pursuits, such as literature, art, or philosophy. These bursts of enthusiasm, much like a fever, can be all-consuming for a period, driving a person to deeply engage with their chosen subject. However, just as the fever fades, the intensity of interest may also diminish, only to resurface later. Mishima’s words remind us that passion—whether for literature or any other pursuit—is often marked by periods of intensity and ebb, and that embracing these cycles is a natural part of the creative process.
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