Patriotism

Date: February 28, 1936

Event: the date of the incident 

Book: Patriotism, by Yukio Mishima. 

An ethical dilemma leads to a courageous event (death by his own sword), or at least that is how Lieutenant  Shinji Takeyama of the Japanese battalion chose to die after learning he was placed in command of the group who would capture and kill his own best friends after they defected from the military.  When Shinji returns to his recently wed partner, Reiko, he shares that he would be incapable of hunting and killing his lifelong friends.  He informs Reiko of his decision to take his life and Reiko, the ever faithful wife, agrees to watch the act so she can verify his honorable death and then lets him know she will also take his life.  And to think this is actually a pre-cursor to Mishima’s own death, coincidence?  This book, a very short story, was beautifully written by Mishima.  The depth of love and honor shown by Shinji and Reiko and their commitment to each other into the otherworld was hard to imagine.  This was a love story to the end.  The sensuality and tears shed going into an act of defiance to your country, yet commitment to your friends makes for an ethical dilemma.   Riveting, sad, and one that stays in your memory for a long time I am sure, I highly recommend this book as you will fall in love with the commitment that one person has for their spouse, yet yell outloud for them to run away and exhibit their love on this earth for years to come. Be in the mood for this one.