Mishima - Schrader's Greatest Lonely Man

A video essay about Paul Schrader's masterpiece Biopic: Mishima - A Life in Four Chapters, as well as a brief biography of Yukio Mishima himself.

[@robertlevine2827]

With all due respect to Paul Schrader's artistry, no one could have invented Yukio Mishima.

[@adamfitchett1381]

What do you mean? Of course someone could have invented Yukio Mishima: Kimitake Hiraoka invented Yukio Mishima

[@el_de_enmedio]

@@adamfitchett1381 you're technically right

[@Bloopsan]

@@adamfitchett1381 great comment

[@oakgmail]

I respect this statement

[@christopherengel7436]

@@adamfitchett1381 and his grandmother of course.

[@michaelbrown2145]

Mishima was looking for a purpose to live. Reviewing some his last speeches and interviews, you can clearly see he states that if you do not find a purpose worth dying for, you may find it meaningless to go on living. Its a contradiction. But, because he couldn't specifically find a real purpose, he fabricated / created one, and turned it into existential art.

[@alexk7046]

Maybe he found a real purpose that just no longer existed and opted out. I think that is more reasonable given what and how he wrote.

[@195ashes]

@@alexk7046 Exactly that. I think he was too predisposed to pessimism and neuroticism and he let himself become black-pilled rather than continue the struggle and keep hoping for change.

[@Cyan_Nightingale]

@@alexk7046 he liked the idea of nobility of Japan. But he knew that era is no longer exist so he opted for suicide.

[@pufdadie]

yes on point

[@byHexted]

I think he developed that later, didn’t he think his purpose was dying in the army until he was like old enough to get checked out, and then he exaggerated his medical problems so he didn’t have to go. That’s when he realized that wasn’t his purpose. I’d argue him sitting down every night for however many years to write all these books is definitely a “purpose” you don’t do that when you think life is meaningless

[@dempfer9037]

amazingly well written, too often video essays are drawn out boring summaries. feels like a grand advert for a grand advert of mishima.

[@_werm]

Amazing essay. Not just Schrader's best work, but one of the greatest films ever conjured.

[@helenathesoviet9195]

Touching! Indeed, Mishima was a man of contradictions, whose discontent with actual life prompted him to create(unconsciously) a very rich inner life of his own! His literary career translate both this paradox, the dissatisfaction and yearning for life that moved his entire existence! Great analysis. Suscribed

[@matthewraphael]

I consider Mishima and The Trial (1962) the 2 most underrated films ever made, you did Mishma justice with this one, great essay.

[@BalotelliFan713]

Kafka's Trial? There's a movie? F***************

[@Retrostar619]

@@BalotelliFan713 Orson Welles version with Anthony Perkins in the lead. Well worth a look.

[@MarkQuick0411]

Mishima’s Soundtrack is fantastic one of my favorite music done by Kronos Quartet and Phillip Glass

[@sdemosi]

Agreed. There's a marvellous version on the American Classics recording. Also see Glass's work with the Japanese pianist Maki Namekawa.

[@Gguy061]

Possibly his best soundtrack, second to koyannisquatsi

[@ritawing1064]

Nicely done: I hope people still read Mishima, you never seem to hear much about him any more.

[@arklados3596]

He’s become my favorite author within the last few months. I’m reading through the Sea of Fertility tetralogy. Truly he was one of the greatest authors of the 20th century.

[@aclark903]

@@arklados3596 The first is the best.

[@arklados3596]

@@aclark903 I do very much enjoy it

[@aclark903]

@@arklados3596 #EndoShusaku is my favourite Japanese writer.

[@niko-xd8zz]

KZbinr Pewdiepie with 100+ million subscribers recommended Mishima books.

[@Cruzcontrol60]

Mishima never forgave himself for missing the opportunity to die for the Emperor toward the end of WWII. He faked Tuberculosis and did not have to serve, so he missed the fate of many common Japanese Men who did heed the call and died for their Emperor.

[@lekal6247]

why do you think he faked it? was he not a fervent nationalist ready to die for his Emperor ?

[@fahadsacrifice]

@@lekal6247 He was a young man scared of death. When he grew older, he realized that he lost the chance for his life and death to have had a purpose.

[@gblatt8472]

The contradiction here is striking. On the one hand the reinstatement of The Emperor was paramount to him, feeling office to be central to the heart of Japan. Yet at the same time, he was highly critical of Emperor Showa the individual, at one point Showa was even a potential target for Mishima's Coup d'etat.

[@JolPil]

He had the flu on his day of conscription, the army labeled him as "sickly" with TB, he did not fake anything.

[@kurtcocain86]

He didn't fake Tuberculosis, rather got misdiagnosed when having cold/flu like symptoms by an army vet. I think the rest of what you wrote is correct though...

[@uwugriffith]

Mishima was certainly a mad man, as well a profound man. I feel he offers insight into the darker aspects of Japanese culture through his literature and life's narrative. Loved this video, beautifully stated.

[@lakiog1938]

He wasn't a "mad man" the things he advocated for are completely normal and good infact. Wanting ur country to be an imperial one is not at all a negative thing.

[@uwugriffith]

@@lakiog1938 That isn't at all why I believe he was "mad." I think a lot of his behaviors were incredibly pathological in nature.

[@lakiog1938]

@@uwugriffith i think I understand what you mean , i immediately assumed you meant that because of his "far right" (or whatever you want to call it) politics since that seems to be the first thing people judge mishima on even though it makes perfect sense and is infact the most appealing thing about him

[@tedmackie559]

@@lakiog1938 what are you, a fascist? Get a life you fucking loser

[@NorthernObserver]

@@tedmackie559 1945 is dead. Very dead. Yelling about it simply reinforces the deadness of it all.

[@Android480]

You sold me on this one. I'm watching this tonight, it looks fascinating.

[@FilmQualia]

aw man, so glad! Mishima is the best

[@Android480]

@@FilmQualia Wikipediaing the movie afterwords, really interesting story on how that movie came to be. Schrader's brother Leonard, who wrote the screenplay I believe, moved to japan in order to dodge the draft. Along the way he fell into the Yakuza culture somehow, and ended up meeting Mishima. I guess he was captivated by the man, because he and his wife spent years trying to buy the rights to his name after his death. Looks like we have him to thank for this gem!

[@TheHiddenNarrative]

Did anyone see the movie Birdman? Mishima wrote his real life ending, not only in the book Runaway Horses, but also in the sole film he directed called Patriotism. It's a real life example of what happened in Birdman.

[@sendhelp444]

Saw it in the theater when is was 17, changed my life.

[@HaydenDaly]

favorite movie--good essay

[@FilmQualia]

glad you enjoyed! Its one of my favourites too

[@shanegrogan8133]

As glad as I was to find this essay, I was equal parts sad to see your channel hasn't been updated in 3 years. Really satisfying word choice. This film and Mishima's work in general has been on my mind a lot ever since I saw Schrader's film.

[@PeterSmith-go9ef]

Schrader`s inimitable film is a fascinating contrast, and melding of cultural and artistic styles. Ken Ogata`s portrayal is filled with both emotional intensity and detached alienation, it is as enigmatic as the man himself. Mishima is my favourite novelist, I remember how thrilled I was when I heard a film of his life was going to be made. In the years since Mishima`s death I wondered whether Nagisa Oshima would be the director to bring his story to the screen, the influence of Mishima is so strong in Oshima`s wonderful film "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence" . Paul Schrader was a surprising frontrunner to tell this tale, I thought so till I saw his film "Cat People" which seemed thematically and texturally to share a similarity with Mishima`s own aesthetic, indeed early in the film a scanning shot shows a copy of a Mishima biography lying on the bedside table of one of the leading characters. Mishima was a man of masks, he once said "Anyone who wishes to know me should read my books" Schrader concentrates on the writer, and the imaginings of his fiction, in highly stylised, and intensely colourised chapter excerpts. The contrast of styles does so much to take us into the creative worlds of Mishima`s imaginings. This is an extraordinary biopic, Schrader eschews the binary narrative of lineal progression, a series of vignettes, and excerpts from Mishima`s major novels, reveal the themes and complex preoccupations of a conflicted artist, and obsessively driven man. The film is a visual wonder to behold, John Bailey`s luminous photography, Eike Ishioka`s exquisite set designs, Michael Chandler and Tomoyo Oshima`s incisive editing, allied to a wonderful Philip Glass soundtrack, and first and foremost Paul Schrader`s visual eye, creative aesthetic, and compositional innovativeness. A wonderful film. I agree, Schrader`s Masterpiece.

[@zokitv1657]

one of the most beautiful films i have seen, this inspired me in all of my work , its a masterpiece. because many great things, or better : souls, come together here.

[@andocommando3071]

Great essay. Can't believe this have been on KZbin for nearly a whole year now and it's only now that I find this video

[@dionysoscub]

Excellent vid. Schrader has always been one of my favorites. One correction, though: Schrader began directing in the late 1970s. BLUE COLLAR came out in 1978 and his second film, HARDCORE, was released in 1979.

[@ZombieDragQueen]

Very good essay. Especially the shout-out to Eiko Ishioka whose designs are always captivating. She was also the production designer for the brilliant "Closet Land" (1991).

[@TreehouseINC]

I agree with that last statement a lot, if mishima lived in my country during my time i would probably want to kick his ass but looking back on his life as a whole i respect him a lot.

[@hiroshimori392]

no mention of the actor who portrayed Mishima, Ken Ogata

[@antwanjones6048]

This was a beautiful video essay about this film. I will add this to my queue and check it out.

[@FilmQualia]

Thank you! And do, its an incredible film (I tried to make sure I omit all the best visuals of the film from this essay just so its fresh for people who haven't seen it).

[@PandemoniumMeltDown]

@@FilmQualia Thank you

[@youvev54]

Beautiful commentary! Thank you for producing and posting!

[@pufdadie]

a unique film, one of the best. Good commentary

[@MrMikkyn]

His story is so beautiful

[@Retrostar619]

Just wanted to say this is the best kind of essay - one that makes me want to experience the film for the first time. I'm gonna get hold of a copy pronto. Great work!

[@osiriskola8034]

immediately when i clicked this video i recognised the Main Theme of Taxi Driver 😭. Great choice of soundtrack

[@kiy5278]

Absolutely amazing video. Thank you

[@KublawiA]

I didn’t know you had the Taxi Driver theme as your intro music, I clicked on this video while listening to it 😂

[@ultraali453]

Excellent commentary. Thank you for making this video.

[@osip7315]

great to see a quality "essay"

[@DiamandaHagan]

Great video on a fantastic film.

[@jackoneste128]

"Mishima is inscrutable precisely because he is sincere. Nobody today can even be sincere. The mechanism for it has been torn from us by modernity. Man's only sincerity is his buried atavism and primal violence. But that is taboo even on the so-called political right who accept democracy and state monopoly on violence as blithely and fatuously as the political left does. Anyway," he said as MO watched his fMRI data, "the next phase was to move from suicide to murder as art. The artist with more appetite for the reverie of revenge than a slaking self immolation" - Sanction

[@zsedcftglkjh]

Yukio Mishima's fault was how he focused on the world's corrupting influence himself, rather than how he could could influence his world. The poor man lived for death.

[@Icecreamforcrowtoo]

He is a huge influence, though.

[@jimmerhardy]

A beautifully powerful film whose Philip Glass soundtrack creates an unforgettably unique experience. Tops.

[@josegaray7640]

Amazing !!!!!! Thank you so much for this !

[@SorroVEVO]

it was fascinating to watch autobiographical parts of mishima's works serving as a frame story to main story.

[@Jesuslovesfilm2121]

Great picture!

[@andrewmiller407]

This film looks amazing! I can't believe I've never heard of it before!

[@gblatt8472]

Solid essay on the film, I feel it ends a little abruptly. But nevertheless, it's nice to see someone getting the word out on this film

[@PandemoniumMeltDown]

Fitting

[@MichaelSmith-qf3yy]

This review is a work of art in itself 👍 subscribed ✅

[@babyirene3188]

You did a fantastic job on this. Wow.

[@LuciaCS]

Muy buena información muchas gracias veré la película

[@bptch1]

Great video essay. Thanks

[@aclark903]

Prophets are sane. False prophets are sometimes madmen, sometimes merely crooks. Mishima was a false prophet: though capable of beautiful prose, his own obsessions destroyed him. Christ is not merely a prophet, and His self sacrifice is the basis of just about all that is good in Western civilization.

[@HakuYuki001]

Christ! Get out of here and go relieve yourself to a sensual shot of Christ hanging around.

[@mdh269]

Excellent work!

[@samhyde8684]

Excellent channel. I wish you would’ve kept going with it but nonetheless well done

[@domclegg1225]

great video essay.

[@rufuspipemos]

How many notice the song being played is "Forbidden Colors"?

[@NKRevolution]

Absolutely fantastic

[@darkhighwayman1757]

I had to watch this for a film class and f, it was so weird.

[@JohnRodriguez-jf4dv]

Spill blood to freeze youthful beauty forever in time.

[@byHexted]

That opening music I heard in a hip hop song sampled recently haha also I saw this movie at a little theater in LA last night, knew nothing about it but loved it

[@byHexted]

Then taxi driver, then merry Christmas mr Lawrence? Great music choices

[@bookaufman9643]

Is that music near the beginning of this documentary from Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence? Ryuishi Sakamoto? Definitely sounds like it.

[@JJ44595]

It is from Taxi Driver

[@MartinSShingetsu]

genial =D der geist lebt weiter

[@moviola12]

Wow that was deep

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

This is a great video essay and a great analysis. How does one do it on their own without formal training? I’d like to make my own video essay on films

[@EduardoTeicofski]

Great

[@simo7080]

is that @ordinarythings ?

[@federicozimerman8167]

the music of bernard hermann at the beginning means?

[@MrWitchman1967]

It's the "Taxi Driver" theme..

[@clumsydad7158]

hmm, will have to ponder viewing this one at some point ... i did like First Reformed ... he borrowed from other movies, but that's ok

[@paololuckyluke2854]

Interesting fact. There are 40 comments here, and, correct me if I’m wrong, it seems there isn’t a single one by a female. The chances of that are 1,099,511,627,776 to 1.

[@paololuckyluke2854]

@@ziggystardust6418 👍 (...but then your profile pic! 😉)

[@DENVERTZ007]

Πολυ ενδιαφερουσες οι πληροφοριες για τον διασημο διεθνης φημη Ιαπωνα διανοουμενο Γιουκιο Μισιμα,και πως ο γνωστος Αμερικανος σκηνοθετης Πολ Σρειντερ,τον ειδε μεσα απο την..."δικη του οπτικη γωνια"δια μεσου της ταινιας του"Μισιμα η ζωη σε 4 κεφαλαια"παραγωγης 1985,της Γουορνερ Μπραδερς,με προυπολογισμο 5.000.000 δολλαρια,γυριμενη εξ ολοκληρου στην Ιαπωνια,στο Τοκυο,σε συμπαραγωγη με την Ιαπωνικη κινηαμτογραφικη εταιρια "TOHO",και με την τοτε ανεξαρτητη κινηματογραφικη εταιρια"Zoetrope"του διασημου σκηνοθετη Φρανσισς Φορντ Κοππολα,και η παραγωγη ηταν του Τζωρτζ Λουκας.Επισημη προβολη στις Αμερικανικες Κινηματογραφικες αιθουσες:20 Σεπτεμβριου 1985.Ειχε ομως πιο πριν επισημη προβολη στις Διεθνεις Κινηματογραφικες εκδηλωσεις του Τοροντο,στις 12 Σεπτεμβριου του τρεχοντος ετους.Ειχε επεισης και μια επανεκδοση στις 26 Ιουνιου 2009 στην Ισπανια.Η ταινια αυτη ποτε δεν προβληθηκε στην Ιαπωνια,επειδη ακομα..."διχαζει"με το περιεχομενο της,την Ιαπωνικη κοινη γνωμη.Ειναι μια ταινια που αξιζει τον κοπο να την παρακολουθησετε,ιδιαιτερα πιο πολυ για τις εικονες της,αλλα και για την υπεροχη μουσικη του Φιλλιπ Γκλας,που θα μπορουσε να συγκριθει με εκεινη του Βαγγελη Παππαθανασιου,που εκανε για την ταινια"Μπλεηντ Ραννερ"του Ριντλευ Σκοτ,οσο υπερβολικο και αν ακουγεται...

[@DENVERTZ007]

@dejuren Dont you understand the Greek Language right?

[@DENVERTZ007]

@dejuren Ωστε ξερεις και Ελληνικα.Παλι καλα...

[@DENVERTZ007]

@dejuren TOO BAD...

[@timothyboermsa2858]

Does anyone know the song at 1:35? It's really annoying me

[@chairmanofthebored]

It’s the opening theme to the movie Mishima.

[@timothyboermsa2858]

@@chairmanofthebored thank you!! I recognized it from the Truman Show which also used it for the opening

[@End-Result]

I'm going to assume you haven't read his Life For Sale ... ?

[@sonnybrown4758]

"Prophets and madmen are often one and the same" The prophets of the bible were not madmen. They were treated like such do to the folly of the people of Israel.

[@shelbyspeaks3287]

That's untrue, mohammed even tried to kill himself because he thought he was insane.

[@shelbyspeaks3287]

This comment is cope af

[@HakuYuki001]

Stop embarrassing yourself.

[@Gguy061]

Hey, So you mean this isn't a film about Heihachi Mishima?

[@patrickweller5254]

Whats the track playing at 3:00?

[@cheeseandonions9558]

Everyone misundestands Mishima... Including Mishima himself

[@styleissubstance]

I have no idea how you pump out so many videos in a row like this. (Though I'll probably attempt to do the same before long). This is a good video overall and I like how you cover the film, the director, and the real life Mishima, and then use the right clips to be played alongside the narration. If I were to constructively criticize one thing, it would be how you to choose to close your video. While not as abrupt as the violence one, this one also sorta ends rather than tying back to the main thesis. You make a statement but maybe need to follow it up with something that amounts to "and this is important because _____." Recaps, even if just a sentence or two, can also really help structure these better. That is me nitpicking though.

[@youvev54]

I disagree, and open ended film (and life) is well suited to a detailed well researched yet inconclusive essay.

[@YongeneW]

does anyone know what is the music playing in the background after the Taxi Driver soundtrack, when he's talking about Mishima's books? it sounds so familiar to me but I cannot seem to pinpoint what it is from.

[@hnyuu6675]

The music is Forbidden Colors by Ryuichi Sakamoto

[@YongeneW]

@@hnyuu6675 thank you so so much. but I want to ask, was this song used in other forms of media other than Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence? Because I haven't seen that film yet, but it's almost as if I've heard Forbidden Colours many times before

[@atulyabharadwaj2279]

@@YongeneW it sounds very ghiblie studioesque right? But it was composed for mr Lawrence so no prior uses.

[@doyle8120]

1:27 1985*

[@PandemoniumMeltDown]

:D

[@alexk7046]

there was nothing murderous about mishima- that is completely false

[@rappakalja5295]

Yes, there was. He said multiple times that the reason for the vast amount of murders in his works was to live out his fantasy of homicide. He even bragged about killing a cat.

[@PandemoniumMeltDown]

@@rappakalja5295 Killing a cat isn't a thing to brag about. I am not certain I like the man anymore.

[@kurtcocain86]

@@PandemoniumMeltDown This guy is full of shit...It was his father who tried to poison his cat, Yukio was fond of cats. You can find pictures of him with cats with a simple google search.

[@PandemoniumMeltDown]

@@kurtcocain86 prrrr prrrr

[@philipoconnor4263]

Mishima Yukio an over rated author and an even more over rated member of our species. There are no longer any great and glorious deaths thought this self obsessed man; obsessive, introspective and nihilistic, he was wrong about so much and held so many absurd and unsupportable ideas. A great artist, a man of noble actions, hardly; a deeply confused, contradictory and troubled man. Maybe a traumatized man, sadly none of his friends or any of the interviewers ever challenge any of his ill formed ideas. Perhaps a man fond of grandiose ostentation and supposedly intellectual expression; a supposed friend is reputed to have said on hearing of his death, "oh well done, you did it." "Yukio, oh Yukio, baka desu ne, might be more appropriate. Mishima Yukio perhaps didn't know how to and never gave enough for others to makes his life or death of value, which is the real tragedy of his life.

[@PandemoniumMeltDown]

A life is a beautiful thing

[@shelbyspeaks3287]

People who speak like you, are the people who truly die nameless and alone, enjoy you're boring ass life ✋😅

[@Constellation-fg5tb]

What a depressive narration! There's no life in it. Give your voice some life. It would fit you. Also, the end comment is totally inappropriate. Prophets are geniuses. We are the mad ones.

[@ZSYStriker]

Mishima may have been a genius, but he was no prophet. We may never know whether he actually believed what he advocated was achievable or he simply advocated them to give himself purpose. In the end, we have neither any better insights into his life by his final act nor insights into the future he left behind. As for "us", I agree some of us are mad, but I think mostly lost.

[@umetsunota8875]

So he was LGBT + gay

[@shelbyspeaks3287]

He was a fascist spirit, I think he would've been offend to be call such liberal terminologies.

[@HakuYuki001]

@@shelbyspeaks3287 So gay is not a generic term for homosexual then. It's a liberal term? Get real. He wouldn't want to be called gay because he wouldn't want to be seen as gay not because of the word.

[@FaustianFeels]

Terrible analysis

[@karelmartel4969]

Yukio stood his ground, as a real man should.

[@HakuYuki001]

I'm sorry that you have a small penis.