Chris's review of The Temple of the Golden Pavillion
The Temple of the Golden Pavillion by Yukio Mishima
Mishima is one of the most famous modern Japanese writers and, near as I can tell, a complete nutjob. Or was, anyway. He killed himself by seppuku back in 1970.
Kinkakuji is one of his most famous works, and I chose it as a first entry into Mishima because I love reading books set in Kyoto and, well, I've been to Kinkakuji a few times.
My reaction upon seeing it was a lot like the main character's - disappointment. In the book, a young Mizuguchi is told by his father that the Golden Temple is the most beautiful thing in the world, and so the child - who secretly despises beautiful things - has an idealized vision of it in his mind. And, as we all know, the idealized vision never quite holds up to the reality.
The real Kinkakuji is nice, yes, but not quite as nice as you thought it would be. Or at least, not as nice as I thought it would be. I rather prefer the Silver Pavillion - not quite as ostentatious.
Anyway, young Mizuguchi, a recluse, a stutterer, becomes as ac...more
Kinkakuji is one of his most famous works, and I chose it as a first entry into Mishima because I love reading books set in Kyoto and, well, I've been to Kinkakuji a few times.
My reaction upon seeing it was a lot like the main character's - disappointment. In the book, a young Mizuguchi is told by his father that the Golden Temple is the most beautiful thing in the world, and so the child - who secretly despises beautiful things - has an idealized vision of it in his mind. And, as we all know, the idealized vision never quite holds up to the reality.
The real Kinkakuji is nice, yes, but not quite as nice as you thought it would be. Or at least, not as nice as I thought it would be. I rather prefer the Silver Pavillion - not quite as ostentatious.
Anyway, young Mizuguchi, a recluse, a stutterer, becomes as ac...more
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