Patriotism

“One of the most powerful short stories ever written: Yukio Mishima's masterpiece about the erotics of patriotism and honor, love and suicide.” Says the blurb.

Badly written erotica about the said subjects if you ask me.

I had a few good laughs, though.

“The coat, which was cold and damp and had lost the odor of horse dung it normally exuded when exposed to the sun, weighed heavily upon her arm.” How romantic.

“In a few moments the two lay naked before the glowing gas heater.” What a very lucky or unlucky gas heater depending on one's point of view.

“What ecstasies they experienced after these tender exchanges may well be imagined” The gas heater got to see it all.

“From the heights they plunged into the abyss, and from the abyss they took wing and soared once more to dizzying heights. The lieutenant panted like the regimental standard-bearer on a route march.... As one cycle ended, almost immediately a new wave of passion would be generated, and together—with no trace of fatigue—they would climb again in a single breathless movement to the very summit.”
“For one thing, he was anxious not to undermine the considerable strength he would need in carrying out his suicide. For another, he would have been sorry to mar the sweetness of these last memories by overindulgence.” Oh those dizzying heights, the over indulgence, the over indulgence!

“Even the wood-grain patterns they now gazed at on the dark ceiling boards would be taken from them.” Yes, even those wood grained patterns would be taken from them.

“This must be the very pinnacle of good fortune, he thought. To have every moment of his death observed by those beautiful eyes—it was like being borne to death on a gentle, fragrant breeze. There was some special favor here.” Death on a gentle, fragrant breeze that ends with him vomiting his guts up, well not really, his guts were spread out all over the floor eventually, some special favor.

“Reiko bent her body low to the mat in a deep bow. She could not raise her face. She did not wish to spoil her make-up with tears, but the tears could not be held back”
“It was the first time Reiko had ever seen her husband's blood and she felt a violent throbbing in her chest. She looked at her husband's face. The lieutenant was looking at the blood with calm appraisal. For a moment- though thinking at the same time that it was hollow comfort—Reiko experienced a sense of relief.”
Her make-up was not spoiled?

“If she were to lock the door, it could be that the neighbors might not notice their suicide for several days. Reiko did not relish the thought of their two corpses putrifying before discovery.” Yes indeed, but who is going to clean up the blood and guts?

“She gathered her strength and plunged the point of the blade deep into her throat.” 万歳