Comparative study of Mishima Yukio and Oscar Wilde: with particular reference to their views of the absolute

Abstract

In this study, my aim is to bring a new perspective to the link between Mishima Yukio (1925-70), a post-war modem Japanese writer, and Oscar Wilde (1854-1900). Although as a young man Mishima appreciated Wilde's works, why did he write "Osukä Wairudo ron" [On Oscar Wilde] in which he expressed contempt for Wilde? From this starting-point, this thesis will study the similarities, parallels and differences between them and compare their views of the world and the Absolute. For the purposes of this thesis, the Absolute is understood as a constant existence which transcends human life.

Wilde's Irish background can be described as a significant factor in his philosophy. Some scholars have studied the Irish elements in Wilde's philosophy. However, to understand this fully, a more detailed investigation than has hitherto been produced, is necessary. His home country, Ireland, was a colony of England. This status includes a political and a religious aspect. His mother's role in his life also had great significance. In addition, it is impossible to ignore the influence of two crucial teachers of Wilde's, John Ruskin (1819-1900) and Walter Pater (1839-94). This thesis will examine his works and analyse how he formed his pluralistic viewpoint through the above influences. Moreover, his attitude towards the social conditions of the Victorian era also needs to be investigated. For example, Zolaism, which interpreted events as the results of environment and heredity, was a major social phenomenon and was reflected in the fictions in this period. Wilde was against this. This fact is perhaps useful in analysing Wilde's "individualism" in "The Soul of Man Under Socialism" (1891). Then I will examine what problems he faced because of his pluralistic viewpoint, and how Christianity, especially Roman Catholicism, became of great importance to him. An analysis of De Profundis will help to clarify Wilde's view of the Absolute in his later years.

When the development of Mishima's philosophy is analysed, many Wildean influences and parallel thinking with him can be found. For instance, Mishima says Wilde's Salonre left a strong impression on his mind. Based on this work of Wilde's, the development of Mishima's philosophy will be analysed. It will clarify his dualistic viewpoint formed through his experience during wartime and afterwards, and through his visit to Greece. VUnaptinrätratä, one of the central ideas in Mahayana Buddhism, then influenced his philosophy. For example, when he wrote his final work, Höjö no u, ni [The Sea of Fertility] (1969-71), he used vunaptimätratä as the framework of the story. It integrated with the influence of oriental philosophies such as the Neo-Confucian doctrines of Wang Yangming and led him to a belief in the Japanese Emperor as the Absolute. My analysis will show that his suicide was brought about by this spiritual development of his. To understand his view of the Absolute, it is helpful to examine how he understood Wilde's view of the Absolute. Through a study of these steps, Mishima's particular view of the Absolute emerges.

Through comparing their perspectives in the manner outlined above, the similarities, parallels and differences in their spiritual and philosophical development will be investigated. In this process, underlying connections between them emerge, particularly through analysis of their views of the Absolute. Which aspects of Wilde's thinking Mishima sympathised with, and why he eventually disassociated himself from his influence, will then be highlighted. Only a few studies mention the link between them: the present study aims to highlight and deepen our understanding of this link.