“The worth of an artist is determined by the interest of the obituary written after their death.”
- 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
「芸術家の値打の分れ目は、死んだあとに書かれる追悼文の面白さで決る」
English
“The worth of an artist is determined by the interest of the obituary written after their death.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima suggests that the true value of an artist is revealed not during their lifetime, but after their death, through the obituaries and the legacy they leave behind. The obituary, traditionally a reflection of the artist’s life and contributions, becomes the measure of their impact on society. Mishima’s perspective implies that an artist’s true worth lies not in personal fame or recognition during their life, but in how their work and influence are perceived after their passing, when reflection can take place free of the biases or limitations of living in the same time period. He uses the idea of the obituary’s interest as a metaphor for how deeply an artist has moved or affected future generations—those who did not experience them personally but engage with their work in a more contemplative or critical way.
Mishima often explored the idea of posthumous recognition, especially in the context of his own artistic struggles and identity. His works often dealt with themes of death, legacy, and the tension between the transience of life and the permanence of art. By suggesting that the worth of an artist is determined by the obituary, Mishima implies that an artist’s true essence and impact are often more clearly appreciated only after their death, when time has had the chance to reflect on their contributions without the immediate pressures of contemporary judgment. This view reflects a more existential take on the role of the artist in society—one where the artist’s value is subjective and often revealed only through the passage of time.
In a modern context, this quote can be interpreted as a reflection on the impermanence of fame and artistic recognition in contemporary society. Today, many artists are valued primarily during their lifetime based on commercial success or media attention. However, Mishima’s words remind us that the true impact of an artist’s work may not be fully understood until long after they have passed, when their contributions are seen through the lens of history and legacy. It raises important questions about the nature of artistic value—whether it is determined by public opinion during an artist’s life or by the lasting influence their work has on future generations. Mishima’s quote encourages reflection on the timelessness of great art and the way in which artists are often re-evaluated after death, as the true significance of their creativity becomes clearer in the context of history.
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