“We affirm everything that once existed. Therein begins our revolution.”
- 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
「僕らは嘗て在ったもの凡てを肯定する。そこに僕らの革命がはじまるのだ。」
English
“We affirm everything that once existed. Therein begins our revolution.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima explores the idea of affirmation as a starting point for revolution. He suggests that true revolutionary change does not necessarily come from rejecting the past or breaking completely with previous traditions and ideologies, but rather from embracing and affirming all that has existed up to that point. This act of affirmation involves recognizing and accepting the value of past experiences, achievements, and cultural legacies. For Mishima, revolution begins when individuals or societies can see the worth in what came before and redefine it, transforming it into something new without entirely discarding the old.
Mishima’s conception of revolution is rooted in the idea of continuity, rather than a disruptive break. By affirming everything that once existed, the revolution becomes a reclamation of history—a process of taking the lessons, traditions, and ideas from the past and reinventing them for the present and future. This can be seen as an act of empowerment, where the past is not viewed as a weight to be cast aside, but as a foundation upon which a new vision can be built. In this way, revolution is not about rejection but about re-evaluation and reconstruction.
In a modern context, Mishima’s message challenges us to reflect on how we approach change and progress. It suggests that true revolution may come not from a complete rejection of the old, but from recognizing the value in what came before, and finding ways to adapt and transform it to meet the needs of contemporary life. This affirmative approach to revolution allows for the preservation of important cultural legacies while still moving forward, creating a dynamic, living tradition that continues to evolve. Mishima’s words encourage us to look at our history not as something to be discarded, but as a wellspring of insight and inspiration for the future.
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