Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters Page #4

to make the audience cry.

Instead,

they burst out laughing.

Some people have called us

toy soldiers.

But our goal

is to restore

the noble tradition

of the way of the samurai.

I have always supported

the tradition of elegant beauty

in Japanese literature.

I cannot stop striving

to unite these two

great traditions.

Now I would like to address

our foreign guests in English.

I hope my poor English

is not too hard

on your ears.

A month after the radical Left

occupied Tokyo University,

they challenged me to speak.

For a moment I felt I was entering

the realm where art and action converge.

For a moment I was alive.

You're not only wrong,

you're not even logical!

Having got this far

out of sheer pride...

I'm not going

to become logical now.

That doesn't mean you've defeated me

with your lack of logic.

I'd gladly join hands with you

if you'd only call the emperor

by his rightful name.

We all want to improve Japan.

Are we so far apart?

We're playing a serious game.

We've both played the same cards.

You're speaking nonsense!

Think about it.

But I have the joker.

I have the emperor.

Sitting alone at my desk

at midnight,

as I had every night

for 20 years,

I felt empty.

Then again came the words.

Effortlessly, urgently.

Again the rehearsal began.

We strike Friday night.

This date can change anytime,

so always be ready.

Are there any objections?

Is it inconvenient for anyone?

If we're going to die,

how can it be inconvenient?

Okay, Friday night.

Where are the maps

to Kurahara's house?

Is that you?

Sit down.

Are you hungry?

No.

- I can have something brought.

- That's okay.

- Did your group plan anything else?

- No.

You're third degree

in kendo, I hear.

Too bad you got involved

in this business.

Otherwise we might be having

a pleasant match.

Are they having a match now?

You're still

too young and pure.

You will learn

to tone down your feelings.

If purity is toned down,

it's no longer purity.

Total purity is not possible

in this world.

Yes, it is...

if you turn your life into a line of poetry

written with a splash of blood.

Calm down.

Dying isn't everything,

you know.

I admire your loyalty,

but the emperor also treasures our lives.

I'm not attacking your beliefs.

I'm just saying...

take it easy.

You don't think I'm serious.

If my ideas aren't dangerous,

let me do my duty.

If not, torture me

like the others.

Ah, such a debater.

Torture me.

There's no need

to torture you.

We torture those

who won't talk.

You want to talk.

Kurahara!

Who are you?

The punishment you deserve!

Cut!

Is something wrong?

How does it look?

Fine.

It's hard enough

directing and acting.

It looks great. Honest.

Very well.

We need more shadow.

This premieres in Paris -

you know how the French love shadows.

Action!

Why did you make your film

without dialogue?

That's a surprise.

You always say I use too much dialogue.

I was doing you a favor.

Does your film

have any political message?

No, none at all.

Your favorite writer?

- Thomas Mann.

- Your most unique habit?

Laughing for no reason.

Who would you like to be?

Elvis Presley.

Your favorite food?

Does this mean

you'll stop writing novels?

I can't help you out on that.

I couldn't survive

if I didn't continue

writing one more line,

one more line, one more line...

one more line.

And one more line.

4- Harmony of Pen and Sword

Just follow the plan.

But what if we can't?

Watch me.

If something goes wrong,

I'll give you a signal.

Now is the time to be calm.

Let's go.

We're here to see

General Mashita.

You have an...?

11:
00 a. m.

Ah, Mishima-sensei!

Just a moment.

Go ahead.

Running in the early mist

with the members of the Shield Society,

I felt something emerging

as slowly as my sweat.:

the ultimate verification

of my existence.

Our members were allowed to train

in the facilities of the regular army.

I flew in a combat fighter.

These privileges

were granted us

because of the symbolic

significance of our society.

Even in its present

weakened condition,

the army represented

the ancient code of the samurai.

It was here,

on the stage of Japanese tradition,

that I would conduct my action.

Look at that!

At least he can eat

faster than this old man.

All right:
Eat!

Hup-two-three-four.

Can't see Fuji at all.

Morita, what do you think?

Their hearts are pure.

Yes. Are they " strong" enough?

Having come to my solution,

I never wavered.

Who knows what others

will make of this?

There would be

no more rehearsals.

General Mashita

is waiting for you.

General,

Mishima-sensei is here.

Yes, come right in.

General,

good to see you again.

You too.

May I invite some members

of the Shield Society to join us?

Certainly.

You don't mind?

Come in.

Please sit down.

We've just finished

a maneuver.

These four

distinguished themselves.

I see.

I wanted them

to have the honor

of meeting you.

That's why we're in uniform.

Please sit down.

Your new uniforms

are very handsome.

Really splendid.

Who designed them? You?

Yes - with some help

from De Gaulle's tailor.

Is that real?

Yes.

Is it all right

to carry it around like that?

I have a permit.

It's a certified antique,

made in 1620 by Seki-no-Magoroku.

Would you like to see it?

- By all means.

Magnificent.

As I expected,

it has the wave pattern.

You must be an expert.

Wonderful.

It's hard to see through the oil.

Polishing cloth.

There's a cloth over here.

A true museum piece.

The cloth.

Stop joking around!

Be quiet

and you won't be injured.

Barricade the doors.

Quick!

Put your hachimaki on.

Remove the gag.

If this is a demonstration

of commando tactics,

it's gone far enough.

Tell the garrison

to assemble out front

to hear a speech.

Are you serious?

Are you crazy?

If you do, we will surrender

our weapons after the speech.

Stop playacting.

I can't approve a speech

until I've read it.

If you try to stop us,

I will kill you and commit seppuku.

This is madness.

What will you gain?

Order your officers to obey.

These are our demands.

" One:
The men

of the 32nd garrison

will be assembled

at 11:
30 a. m.

Two:
Commander Mishima

will address the garrison. "

Out!

Get out!

Release the general!

Who's in charge?

Who's in command?

I am the colonel.

Let me see the general.

Listen to our demands.

I guarantee

the general's safety.

Let's talk this over.

There's nothing to talk about!

One:
The men of the 32nd garrison

will be assembled

in front of headquarters

at 11:
30 a. m.

Two:
Commander Mishima

will address the garrison.

Three:
The garrison

will attend

the speech in silence.

We agree.

But it's already past 11:30.

When shall they assemble?

Immediately!

Assemble the garrison.

Come out here!

Come down!

The police are everywhere.

Our little drama has attracted

quite an audience.

Time for the last act.

Dear soldiers!

It's a terrible affair

to have to speak

to army men

in circumstances like these.

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