Having had an underwhelming experience with my first read for the Japanese Literature Challenge, I didn’t want to let January pass without trying another work from that country; particularly as I’ve read some marvellous books from Japan. An old favourite is Yukio Mishima, an often-controversial figure; and I was delighted when previously untranslated works starting appearing recently in new English versions. So I decided to cheat! I say cheat, because the book I read was no 51 in the Penguin Modern series of bite size loveliness – and I am supposed to be reading the series in order!! However, the Mishima was issued after the box set came out so that’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it!
The work in question is “Star” and it’s a novella-length work first issued in 1961, in a short story collection of the same name. In contrast to many of his major works, which look back to a golden past in Japan, “Star” is set firmly in the present. It tells of Rikio “Richie” Mizuno, a young actor at the height of his fame who’s nevertheless suffering from insecurity, disillusioned with fame and the film world. Despite being surrounded by hysterical young adoring fans, his most important relationship is with his personal assistant, Kayo. The latter is older that Richie, and considered unattractive; yet she offers the actor emotional and physical support, keeping him grounded in some kind of reality.
… threads of permanence cling to the underbelly of all formulaic poetry. It comes as a false shadow, the refuse of originality, the body dragged around by genius. It’s the light that flashes from a tin roof with a tawdry grace. A tragic swiftness only the superficial can possess.
Aside from the complexities of acting while surrounded by screaming fans, another problem occurs when a struggling actress inveigles her way onto the set and into the film. Things go wrong when she proves not to be up to the task of acting the part, and takes dramatic action. Needless to say, the PR people use this to their advantage, leaving Richie just as full of self-doubt as ever…
Real love always plays out at a distance.
“Star” may be a short work, but it’s just as brilliant and full of impact as any of Mishima’s longer works. Richie is the pefect Mishima character; struggling with the hollowness at the heart of his fame, losing sense of reality because of the number of different personas he has to adopt, his life feels empty and he’s assailed by doubt and ennui. The constant wearing of (metaphorical) masks has detached him from the reality around him; and the intense and unlikely relationship with Kayo is more real to him than anything else. Despite the fact that this anchors him, he acknowledges that the relationship is just as much of an illusion; and the couple can sit and calmly discuss the prospect of his suicide, as if this is a logical end to which his life is headed.
A star is more of a star if he never arrives.
Needless to say, reading this wonderful novella from Mishima has restored my faith in my love of Japanese writing. Inevitably, because of the author’s complex relationship with his country and fame, it’s hard not to imagine him drawing from his own life and feelings when writing “Star”. Mishima had himself recently had a go at movie acting and it apparently proved not to be to his taste; so presumably much of that experience was funneled into this story. It’s a compelling, beautifully written work, and I can’t understand why it’s taken so long for it to appear in translation.

Via Wikimedia Commons – see here for attribution: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yukio_Mishima_01.jpg
Like my encounter with another recently translated book, “The Frolic of the Beasts“, reading “Star” has reminded me what a stunning writer Mishima was and how I really need to revisit his other works. And rather wonderfully, I also have another previously untranslated work of his sitting on the TBR…. ;
“Star” is translated by Sam Bett, who apparently has received kudos for his work – to which I would like to add my thanks and praise! Any previously untranslated Mishima is very welcome in this quarter!!!
Jan 29, 2021 @ 06:52:34
How fortunate that you had a bite sized volume that fit with the challenge and was outside the original 50. And restoring one’s faith in the literary aspect of a culture, a grand choice indeed! I’ve yet to even dip my toe in those waters.
Jan 29, 2021 @ 08:44:53
It was the perfect fit and I loved it which was marvellous. I’ve mostly loved the Japanese lit I’ve read and this makes me want to revisit Mishima!!
Jan 29, 2021 @ 07:05:07
I read this last year and thought it was fairly average. I read it on Kindle over the space of a week or two and I think that experience didn’t help. If I read it in one hit (and in paperback) it might have had more impact. But glad it worked for you and has restored your faith in Japanese literature!
Jan 29, 2021 @ 08:43:32
I read it pretty much in one go, and I think you’re right, that does make a difference. And I’m so happy to have rekindled my love of his writing!
Jan 29, 2021 @ 07:20:34
It’s not his best, but it’s nice for what it is, a short, fun look at the flip side of fame (I enjoyed it more than ‘The Frolic of the Beasts’, anyway!).
Jan 29, 2021 @ 08:42:53
Lol! I enjoyed both but then I haven’t read his biggies for decades!
Jan 29, 2021 @ 11:20:10
Kagsy – I reread The Sea of Fertility Tetralogy last year (?), and they were just as good as I remembered…
Jan 29, 2021 @ 11:39:42
Those are the ones I want to get back to!!
Jan 29, 2021 @ 08:13:40
Do you know what, as you were reviewing it, it sounded very familiar… if it hasn’t been translated before, I must have read it in Japanese at the time when it was not so painful for me to do so.
Jan 29, 2021 @ 08:14:35
Oops, pressed wrong button. Meant to add, I’m happy you’ve found your way back to Mishima!
Jan 29, 2021 @ 08:42:11
So am I! 😀
Jan 29, 2021 @ 08:42:27
How interesting! I am so impressed you can read Japanese…
Jan 29, 2021 @ 09:44:15
I’m glad to hear that your latest read has restored your faith in Japanese literature after the Ogawa experience. It’s always a good idea to return to a tried and trusted favourite, and I can see why Mishima would fit the bill in this instance. That’s a lovely edition from Penguin – a beautiful adjunct to your set!
Jan 29, 2021 @ 09:58:17
It was a real treat, and as I’d loved my revisit to Mishima fairly recently I hoped I would be on safe ground! I love the fact they released another little Modern – shame they never did any more, because it’s a great set, and probably my favourite of all the collections they’ve done!
Jan 29, 2021 @ 16:11:46
My only recent foray into Japanese literature, ‘Convenience Store Woman’ by Sayaka Murata, was quite successful. I would definitely recommend that novella.
Jan 29, 2021 @ 18:58:17
Thanks! I will keep an eye out for it. I find I’m more attuned to a lot of 20th century writing nowadays but always willing to try something newer! 😀
Jan 29, 2021 @ 18:03:21
So glad your latest Japanese read worked so much better for you. It does sound very good. Lovely, stylish looking edition too.
Jan 29, 2021 @ 18:57:34
It was definitely much more enjoyable than my last one, and really wonderfully written. And of course a very pretty Penguin Modern so that makes me happy!
Jan 29, 2021 @ 19:39:10
So magical to go back to a much-loved author and find that they still have that touch. The perfect subject for Mishima too.
Jan 29, 2021 @ 21:06:04
It is! It can be a little nervewracking, in case they don’t live up to your memory, but I haven’t had that problem with Mishima!
Jan 29, 2021 @ 22:52:57
I do enjoy Japanese books when I read them. One never knows where the journey will take us. Beautiful cover on this book.
Jan 30, 2021 @ 07:17:51
Indeed – I love being transported by a book! 😁
Jan 29, 2021 @ 23:22:09
Oo, I’d been wondering about Mishima, and have actually bought this last year. I may go look for it.
Jan 30, 2021 @ 07:16:02
Go for it! I love him, and even if this isn’t a major work it’s definitely worth reading!
Jan 30, 2021 @ 07:13:27
Have you ever read “Silence” by Shusaku Endo? I tend to find Japanese literature a bit of a hard sell for me personally, but that novel is one of my all-time favourites — so quietly devastating, it haunted me for weeks afterwards. And Martin Scorsese’s film adaptation of it was breathtaking too, which is a rare feat when it comes to adapting novels!
Jan 30, 2021 @ 07:15:01
I haven’t though I did read a review recently and it sounded very powerful. I’ve not had problems with the Japanese lit I’ve read in the past, though that was mainly from the 20th century. Modern writing sometimes isn’t my thing…
Jan 30, 2021 @ 07:16:01
Ah, I really hope you do read it!! And then write about it! I’d love to hear your thoughts on it 🙂
Jan 30, 2021 @ 07:17:28
😁 I’ll certainly look out for it!
Jan 31, 2021 @ 02:00:49
Thanks! adding this one to my list for next year! I just discovered him with The Sound of Waves for this same challenge, and so loved it: https://wordsandpeace.com/2021/01/24/sunday-post-35-1-24-2021/
Jan 31, 2021 @ 10:09:29
Ah, he’s a wonderful writer! I really want to revisit some of his other works!
Feb 01, 2021 @ 06:59:43
That sounds like an excellent one. But I’m confused by the box set having books outside it – they carried on publishing, but those have to just sit around loose? Or there’s a second box?
Feb 01, 2021 @ 08:47:10
Oh dear, sorry to have confused! There were the original 50, which you could buy separately or get in the posh box (which my Offspring got me). Then they released no 51 separately which is this Mishima which does *not* fit in the box and will forever have to sit on top of it… The other loose books are duplicates – copies I picked up of ones I really wanted to read before I knew I would be getting the box set… ;D
Feb 01, 2021 @ 20:04:55
I haven’t read a lot of Mishima (just one novel I think) but I do have a copy of this which I must dig out.
Feb 01, 2021 @ 20:39:20
Excellent! I loved it, but them I do tend to like anything Mishima wrote!
Feb 04, 2021 @ 18:34:47
The style of this is definitely more to your taste than the Ogawa was. I keep promising myself that one day I will pick up a Mishima novel – have only read After the Banquet so far.
Feb 04, 2021 @ 19:24:49
I love his writing (which probably shows!) so this was a real treat. I really want to re-read him though – so long since I read his big titles!
Feb 19, 2021 @ 18:28:59
I’ve only read one of his books, but I thought it was beautiful (and sad, very sad).
On another note, I’m so glad that you have your excuse prepared, so that when the knock on the door comes, no doubt after midnight, you’ll be prepared to respond to the angry queries as to why you appear to have veered from your original project’s plans.
Feb 19, 2021 @ 18:51:30
LOL! This is a rogue, standalone edition so I feel justified in reading it.
And yes – Mishima *does* often have an underlying sadness to his work. But then his life (and death) were not happy either…
Jan 19, 2022 @ 07:01:10
Apr 28, 2022 @ 07:00:26