“To make one’s mother forget Mother’s Day—could this be the greatest act of filial piety?”
- 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
「母親に母の日を忘れさすこと、これ親孝行の最たるものといえようか。」
English
“To make one’s mother forget Mother’s Day—could this be the greatest act of filial piety?”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima presents a twist on the traditional concept of filial piety, which is generally associated with showing respect, gratitude, and honor to one’s parents, particularly one’s mother. The typical expectation is that children will celebrate and appreciate their mothers, especially on Mother’s Day. However, Mishima suggests that an act of filial piety might be found in contradicting this expectation, perhaps by making the mother forget this day of celebration altogether. This could imply that true respect for one’s mother may not always be about fulfilling external societal expectations but about acting in ways that go beyond conventional norms or rituals.
Mishima’s use of irony here challenges the superficial and ritualistic aspects of filial piety, implying that the deepest form of respect or devotion might be found in actions that are not necessarily tied to celebratory events. The phrase “making her forget” could signify freedom from the burdens of external recognition or expectation, thus suggesting that true respect may come from understanding the deeper needs of one’s mother, which might not always align with societal or commercial celebrations. In this sense, Mishima may be pointing to a more complex and authentic form of filial piety, one that transcends the conventional expressions of gratitude and care.
In a modern context, Mishima’s quote speaks to the pressure of rituals and expectations in our daily lives, especially around holidays like Mother’s Day, which often carry a sense of obligation and performative love. It invites us to reflect on what true respect and love for our parents means in a world where commercialized and externally driven gestures often overshadow deeper emotional connections. Mishima’s words challenge us to consider that the most meaningful acts of filial piety may not be those that conform to social expectations but those that genuinely address the underlying needs and feelings of the individuals involved.
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