11.25: The Day He Chose His Own Fate (2012) - full transcript
On November 25th 1970, a man committed ritual suicide inside the Tokyo headquarters of the Japanese Ministry of Defence, leaving behind a legacy of masterpieces and a controversy that echoes to this day. The man was Yukio Mishima, one of Japan's greatest and most celebrated novelists. With four members of his own private army - the Tatenokai - Mishima had taken the commandant hostage and called upon the assembled military outside the Ministry to overthrow their society and restore the powers of the Emperor. When the soldiers mocked and jeered Mishima, he cut short his speech and withdrew to the commandant's office where he committed seppuku - the samurai warrior's death - tearing open his belly with a ceremonial knife before being beheaded by one of his colleagues. What was Mishima truly trying to express through his actions? And what did he witness during his final moments?
in my opinion, it's important
to fix what's wrong
so we can go back to our
natural stale.
Regrettably this country is rife with
the wrong, unjust and the unnatural.
Article 9 of the Constitution
prohibits the right of belligerency.
A decision was made not to
maintain any kind of armed forces
and not to engage in any act of
belligerency.
But we have the Self-Defense Forces.
The Security Treaty we ratified with
America poses a great contradiction.
SOCIALIST PARTY SECRETARY, ASANUMA
STABBED BY A 17-YEAR-OLD MINOR
On November 2, 1960, a 17-year-old boy
hanged himself in juvenile detention.
He'd stabbed the Socialist Party
Secretary 20 days earlier.
His name was Otoya Yamaguchi.
SEVEN LIVES FOR MY COUNTRY!
LONG LIVE THE EMPEROR!
YUKIO MISHIMA
PATRIOTISM BY YUKIO MISHIMA
11125 THE DAY HE CHOSE HIS OWN FATE
YUKIO MISHIMA AND HIS YOUNG FOLLOWERS
MIE PREFECTURE, 1963
Morita, did you meet Minister Kono?
No, I couldn't
I waited for hours...
What for?
He could be the next Prime Minister.
So I want to be his intern.
I'll go to V\/aseda University like him
and make Japan what it should be.
What do you mean?
A country to live by and live for!
It's flawed now.
WASEDA UNIVERSITY, 1966
In January 1966 at Waseda University
the students organized their first
all-out strike to gain control
of the student hall and
to protest rising tuition fees.
The strike lasted 150 days.
This is Morita. He's a freshman,
class president.
Morita. Nice to meet you.
Masaku Morita. My name means
"Always wins."
- Sit down.
- Thank you.
We're concerned about
the situation at Waseda.
What is your opinion?
As I told Saito,
the destructive activities of the
New Left radicals are intolerable!
They're wrecking the campus!
You're right.
That's not the way to protest
tuition hikes.
Those leftists will kill
the V\/aseda Spirit.
We have to put a stop to it
and restore order.
That's exactly why we're here.
Join us, Morita.
It'd be my honor, thank you!
STRIKE!
We rise under the banner of neo-ethnic
nationalism to confront
communism and the All-Student-Alliance.
The left-wing radicals
are expanding.
They take advantage
of the colonial Constitution,
support intellectual regression
and polarize Japan.
The Meiji Revolution heroes can teach
us how to maintain
historical continuity,
cultural integrity
and ethnic autonomy,
all embodied in the Emperor.
They revitalized our history.
To attain these goals we established
the Japan Students' League, or J.S.L.
At a grass roots level, we'll restore
ethnic nationalism with activism.
We'll organize student movements,
the very engine of our history.
It's exquisite!
It was made by Magoroku.
You can have it.
In gratitude for all you've done.
"Patriotism," your last novel,
is a masterpiece.
It's one of our bestsellers.
Thank you.
"Patriotism" is the last of a trilogy.
The first two novels were about the
young officers who attempted
the failed 2126 coup in 1936.
With "Patriotism" I concluded the
1936 coup d'etat theme.
Now I'll write my magnum opus.
Why did His Majesty choose
to renounce his claim to divinity?
Do you think you'll win
the Nobel Prize?
Sir?
I'm not all together sure.
Mr. Tanizaki is a tough competitor.
I'm Mochimaru. The editor of the
Debate Journal referred me to you.
I'm here to ask a favour of you.
Why don't you sit down?
Your "Patriotism"
was most impressive.
I'd be grateful if you'd write
an article for our J.S.L. magazine.
The J.S.L. was founded
to uphold ethnic nationalism
and to protect the nation
from the communists!
Very well. First, sit down.
This is Yoko, my wife.
- Nice to meet you.
- Likewise.
Have some tea.
Thank you.
Your concern for the nation
resonates with mine.
I'll do it.
And don't worry about
paying me.
Thank you, sir.
Do you know what beauty is?
It's your innocence and purity.
It was with innocence
that the officers carried out
the coup d'etat for the Emperor.
With corruption rife in Japan,
only the military can make changes.
Now the Self-Defense Forces
are our national defense.
This is between us.
I'll undergo Army training to
discipline myself as a soldier.
Perhaps I'm possessed by the spirit
of Major lsobe from "Patriotism."
Perhaps he's making me do this.
- Mochimaru.
- Yes, sir.
Have you ever held a sword?
No.
Hold this.
Sword are not to be marveled at
like a piece of art.
They are alive.
Only living swords will deliver us
from the intellectuals' hypocrisy
that's plagued the nation since
the Security Treaty was ratified in 1960.
JGSDF CAMP FUJI
Captain Fukuoka, this is
Mr. Yukio Mishima, the novelist.
You will train him
while he's with us.
- Okay?
- Yes, sir.
Captain. My real name is
Kimitake Hiraoka.
Train me as Hiraoka, a recruit.
Not Mishima the novelist.
Sir, I'll call you Ranger Hiraoka
during the drill.
The training field is immense!
I'll run, if you'll excuse me.
No! I'm no good!
Pathetic!
This has to change!
This is to show my appreciation
to my instructors.
Help yourselves.
You too, Dean.
After joining the Self Defense Forces
I've realized how great they are.
It's a man's world!
It's Japan as it should be!
Come now, sir,
that's enough flattery.
You can't squeeze anything more
out of me.
Can you do the honors?
I've already had a sip!
Here's to us!
To us!
This is good sake.
In 3 years, the U.S.-Japan
Security Treaty will be renewed.
In the meantime the students will
continue to protest.
When the police can't contain them,
you'll be needed.
Then your forces could become
the official national force!
We must change Japan for the better.
And I'll be there to fight with you.
I'll be the first!
As you know, we can't be
involved in politics.
We're just officials
in the public service.
We're under the Ministry of Defense,
which is actually run by the police.
A coup d'état is out of the question.
The 2126 coup failed, because Japan
had already been modernized.
Coups only work
in underdeveloped countries.
That's my opinion.
Underdeveloped!
I can't argue with an intellectual
like you.
I'm being flattered
by a famous novelist.
Go on.
Yes, a master novelist.
It was 1967. The Vietnam War
raged on more intensely.
Every day, U. S. aircraft took off
from US. bases in Japan.
OCT. 8, 1967 ZENGAKUREN PROTEST AGAINST
PRIME MINISTER'S VIETNAM VISIT.
More citizens protested each day.
A NEED FOR A MILITIA
I read it.
Sir, writing is one thing, but putting it
into action is another...
You're a great writer. That's what you
should devote yourself to.
I hear you might win the Nobel Prize.
Your objectives might be
achieved through writing.
Colonel Yamamoto.
I've given up on writing.
I'm not interested in the
Nobel Prize either.
As the U.S.-Japan Security treaty
will be renewed in 1970
I can only think about its impact on
Japan's future and its military forces.
Very well.
I can help you with basic training.
We'll meet again.
I appreciate it.
SITUATION AT A RESORT HOTEL
MAN TOOK GUESTS
AS HOSTAGES
FEB. 20, 1968
THE KWON HYI-RO HOSTAGE CASE
One way to get attention
is to take hostages.
One man can draw so much attention.
WE PLEDGE HEREUNDER,
ON FEB. 25, 1968
TO FORM THIS FOUNDATION TO
SERVE THE EMPERORS JAPAN
IN OUR CAPACITY AS HONORABLE
JAPANESE MEN.
KIMITAKE HIRAOKA,
KAZUHIKO NAKATSUJI,
KIYOSHI BANDAI,
HIROSHI MOCHIMARU
Sorry, I'm late.
- Been waiting long?
- It's okay.
Sorry.
Please sit.
I was contacted by Mochimaru,
the Debate Journal editor.
Their military drill
starts in March.
Five members dropped out.
But the J.S.L. doesn't approve of
Mr. Mishima's militia concept.
So I won’t join them.
It's not that we disapprove
of Mishima's militia.
I want Mr. Mishima to know that.
I want you to join them as a
conciliatory gesture, Morita.
Then I'll join.
- One, two, one, two!
- Let's go!
Louder!
Morita!
- Are you okay?
- Sorry.
I'll help you.
- Come on!
- Thank you!
- One, two, one, two!
- Let's go!
Louder!
What's wrong?
Shape up!
Listen up.
This is Colonel Yamamoto.
He'll help us with our training.
Attention!
Salute!
At ease.
We're crossing!
Kuramochi!
Hold on to me, Kuramochi.
Hold on to me!
You can do it!
Thank you.
I wonder how you'll bring
the drama of your life to a close.
You know the answer.
As they say. The way of the
samurai warrior is death.
I'll keep doing what I'm doing.
Everyone! Help yourselves.
Thank you.
We have wine, too.
Oh, not enough glasses?
Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am.
Go ahead.
Everybody fixed?
Kuramochi, come on.
Let's eat.
It's delicious!
- Is it good?
- Yes!
Good.
Over to Morita!
You're a good singer.
Masakatsu Morita!
Here I go!
When a man puts obligation
and compassion on a scale
Obligation wins,
that's a man's code of honor
Merciful Buddha knows
everything I've done...
My friends!
From here we can see two of the islands
stolen by the Soviet Union.
Kaigara Island and Suisho Island
belong to Japan!
Behind the fog
lie the islands that are
Japanese territory.
When WWII ended, the Soviet
imperialists even attempted to
take over Hokkaido Island with no
legal or historical claim.
Looking at those stolen islands now...
SOVIET INVADERS LEAVE OUR TERRITORY!
...our ethnic pride boils in our
blood with anger!
Hey!
You two!
That's my boat!
We want to reclaim
the stolen territory.
Those islands?
Yes, sir.
The Soviet bastards took
advantage of us.
They claimed our islands when Japan
was occupied at the end of WWII.
It's unforgivable!
We'll get back what's ours!
Can you give us the ignition key?
Listen, boys.
As soon as you leave land
you'll be arrested by the Soviets.
You wouldn't be back for at least
6 months. Is that what you want?
Guerrilla warfare.
Conventional warfare.
Offense and
defense.
The strategies that come down
the chain of command
are informed by intelligence.
This is important.
Let's have a break.
Thank you, Colonel.
Colonel Yamamoto.
Yes?
I have a question.
Tell me how to kill.
How do you successfully
kill an enemy with a sword?
Morita. Disabling an enemy with a
sword is ineffective in modern warfare.
Well then? How and whom
should I kill for Japan?
Who is the biggest threat to Japan?
Only if you can accept your
death you can kill.
In fact
I haven't found my true enemy yet.
Sir, that sounds like apathy...
Our credo is:
One, maintain our military spirit!
Two, tirelessly attain
military knowledge!
Three, learn military techniques.
This is the basis of our corps.
The name of our corps is
Shield Society.
All personnel will do at least a month
of Self-Defense Force training.
Camaraderie unites us.
Members must keep a neat appearance,
be refined and disciplined.
Hiroshi Mochimaru is
your student captain!
October 5, 1968, Mishima
founded the Shield Society.
It was a military organization
of civilians.
Its goal was to train commanders
for the militia.
It was financed solely by Mishima.
FIRST-EVER NOBEL LITERARY PRIZE
FOR A JAPANESE!
OCT. 17, 1968 YASUNARI KAWABATA WON
THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE
OCT. 21, 1968 SHINJUKU RIOT
ON INTERNATIONAL ANTI-WAR DAY
Reporting, Chief!
The Middle Core and the
Marxist-Leninist Faction took a train
to Yoyogi and walked
to Shinjuku Station.
Reporting!
The Socialist Students League raided the
Ministry of Defense and went to Shinjuku.
Mr. Mishima!
The activists gathered at the East Gate
and moved at about 9 pm.
They vandalized movie billboards
and stormed the terminal.
The police just watched!
They did nothing to control the mob.
The agitators got the mob riled up!
This is the communists
indirect invasion!
It's time for us to strike!
Yes!
The Shield Society's activities
have only begun.
We're not equipped to fight yet.
It's too early.
Reporting!
They're being arrested
for disorderly conduct!
No Self-Defense Forces?
Mr. Mishima.
That's how the night will proceed.
The police will make arrests
to contain the situation.
So the Self-Defense Forces
will not be deployed.
Chief, I advise you to dismiss
your personnel tonight.
Are you telling me to ignore
their burning desire to fight?
ON JAN. 18 AND19, 1969 THE TOKYO
UNIVERSITY BARRICADES WERE REMOVED.
1 won't object to violence committed
either by the right wing or the left.
To deny the use of violence
unconditionally
is the Communist Party's ideology.
Agreed;
Our political beliefs are opposite.
But I detest the rhetoric of
audacious intellectuals,
who control Japanese people
with their ideologies.
Agreed!
TOKYO UNIVERSITY JOINT STRUGGLE COUNCIL
VS. MISHIMA
I can't accept everything
you've done,
but I applaud your achievements.
You challenge intellectual superiority.
Which originates in pre-WWII ideology.
Professor Mishima argues...
I mean Mr. Mishima...
I called him professor unconsciously.
But in comparison to the
professors around here
he surely deserves the title.
That's my rationale.
His criticism of post-V\/I/\/II
intellectuals is accurate.
So on what point do we differ?
That's revealed when we see ourselves
in relation to other intellectuals.
Wait a minute!
I came here today because I thought
we were going to beat Mishima up!
Agreed!
Listen to yourself!
Here you are discussing
interrelationships as abstract!
It's all a conceptual game for you.
Aren't revolutions about
redefining ideas?
She's right!
I read your books
but they're boring.
Agreed!
Since "Patriotism", he writes sentimentally
about the Emperor.
He's trapped in the days
of imperialist rule.
So he embarrasses himself
by imitating the Self-Defense Forces.
Agreed!
Let me be serious here.
During your occupation
of Yasuda Auditorium
you didn't acknowledge the Emperor.
If you had I would have happily
joined your cause and revolution.
In fact, the current Emperor isn't
my ideal Emperor unfortunately.
I want the Emperor to reassume
the role of a divine entity.
Nonsense!
You can only write when your creativity
overlaps with your idea of the Emperor!
That's right.
Nonsense!
So if Japan wouldn't exist, you wouldn't.
That's okay.
I was born in Japan. So I want
to die as a samurai.
Go, samurai!
The Emperor is just an idealized
symbol for Mishima.
Granted that the Emperor is absolute
and transcends reality
the idea of the Emperor collapsed
in the reality of history.
Mishima must take political action
to resume his relation to reality.
Despite our opinions of the Emperor
Mishima should eliminate that relation
which is the Establishment.
Agreed!
Your logic is solid, but...
I will not follow logic.
What do you mean?
I've been pushed to the point
where all I'm left with is pride.
If you accepted the Emperor I'd be
willing to be your ally.
But you don't,
so that's where we stand.
That's how it goes.
And if you concurred with
our social revolution
we'd ask you to join us.
That's right!
I agree with your attempts
to destroy conventions.
I think I've been doing that
as a novelist.
But you treat me as the
embodiment of the Establishment.
That pleases me and I find it
oddly flattering.
I accept the fervor of your beliefs,
I put my faith in it.
Even if I don't believe
in anything else you do.
Will you join our revolution
or not?
- Well, will you?
- Answer now!
I will not join your revolution.
Nonsense!
Get out of here!
Leave!
RESIGNATION
I devoted 3 years of my college
life to being a J.S.L. leader.
Through our activism we met Mr. Mishima
to whom we're indebted.
So we want to return the favour.
To do so we'll have to leave
the J.S.L.
We have no regrets.
You mean you'll only commit
to the Shield Society now?
Yes. My apologies for leaving.
I read your recent article on
Anti-Revolution.
You wrote that you put faith in
your followers.
I agree with you.
You also wrote that effectiveness
was insignificant.
What ideology rejects effectiveness?
It sounds as if you're merely
toying with ideas and words.
Fighting with a sword and risking
your life is what's significant.
The act is the point.
That act will find followers.
If your goal is to change Japan,
you must win your fights.
You'll need tanks, missiles and arms
to suppress the enemy.
Spirituality without means
is empty.
'(You're wrong!
You're utterly missing the point!
Our objective is to protect Japan's
culture with our flesh.
And only swords symbolize that.
I wrote, I put my faith in my followers
which means I believe in those
who protect Japan's traditional values.
Mr. Mishima, never mind him.
He sounds offensive
but he's a good officer.
When the time comes,
he'll serve you well.
Excuse me.
Morita!
Look at this!
NATIONALIST AGITATOR EXPELLED
MASAKATSU MORITA SOLD HIS SOUL
TO THE COMMUNISTS!
I wouldn't sell my soul...
To the Communists?
Keep UP!
How far 'til the point?
Five kilometers to go.
Keep UP!
Sir.
I must confess and
apologize to you.
What is it?
When I read your work
I understand almost nothing.
That's not important.
When I'm with you boys,
I'm not a novelist or author.
I'm just a man who has the same
affinity with our country.
I feel relieved.
Even if I'm the last one,
I'll follow you.
We do not value knowledge.
What matters is determination,
action and a beautiful mind.
That exists in a beautiful body.
An ailing body plagues the mind.
I exercise all the time.
Morita.
What do you believe in?
I believe in Japan.
Good.
To live beautifully in Japan means
thinking about how to die for Japan.
Yes, sir.
- Go and get warm.
- Thank you.
I appreciate it.
GIVE OKINAWA BACK TO JAPAN!
APR. 28, 1969
THE OKINAWA DAY DEMONSTRATION
THE COUNTER-TERRORISM LEGISLATION
WAS ENFORCED.
Our Code of Conduct.
Shield Society members enter
the Emperor's palace to protect it.
The Shield Society...
Hold it, Mr. Mishima!
That's the last resort.
We should never initiate action.
The mob will not storm the palace.
The police are arresting anybody
who joins the riot.
What we have to do instead...
is to prepare ourselves by
training for close quarters combat.
Can't Self-Defense Forces soldiers
act on your own sense of justice?
Can't you bleed
unless you're ordered to?
How about will?
Don't you take initiative
as a military man?
If not, you're nothing
but an office worker.
Morita.
Sir, this is for you.
L, MASAKATSU MORITA, AM ALWAYS
READY TO DIE FOR YOU.
Sir.
I'll go wherever you go.
You're a good swordsman.
You'll be strong.
Show me how to become
truly strong.
Morita, true strength
is a beautiful thing.
I can't understand!
If I were like you,
I could stand strong!
Slow down, Morita.
I can't slow down!
Japan is changing as the leftists
increase their power!
Stay calm.
I'm making plans.
With no plans, we'd be wiped out.
I wouldn't mind that!
To show my feelings for Japan
and to stand by your side
is all I want.
Morita, youth needn't be bound
to foolishness.
I'm ready.
I will be a vivid proof of life.
It smells nice.
I've got some news.
Finally I'm officially engaged.
To Yoshiko?
Congratulations, Mochimaru!
I knew this day would come.
How about children?
When you have a child, you can use
a character from my name.
This is wonderful.
Any wedding plans?
You have any?
Not yet.
You're getting married!
Finally...
Mr. Mishima.
I must apologize about
the Debate Journal scandal.
The editors were desperate
to keep the journal going.
Let's not talk about that now...
Mochimaru.
You know Kiyoharu Tanaka boasts
that he funds the Shield Society?
The editors, Nakatsuji and Banda
used the Shield Society's name
to get money from Tanaka
for their journal.
I finance the Society!
You know that.
Those two understand nothing about
the spirit of the Society!
They betrayed me.
Do you want them to
resign their membership?
Yes. if they don't quit voluntarily,
I'll ask them to.
Is that so?
If editor-in-chief Nakasuji
leaves the Shield Society,
as his deputy, I'd be
obliged to resign too.
No need for you to quit.
Actually I have a job waiting
for me when I graduate.
At a security company.
You'd take a 9-to-5 job?
Yes.
I will distance myself from
the Society and the Journal.
But I'll continue
my nationalist activities.
Mochimaru.
We built the Shield Society together.
I'll pay Yo"-
You can stay as an administrator
after you graduate.
You'll get paid monthly, enough to
raise a family with Yoshiko.
Sir.
I appreciate your concern.
But I want to be a nationalist
who is his own man.
Should passion...
submerge...
in absurdity?
The Society now has its
4th generation of recruits.
A larger personnel makes our
group more effective.
Now the Society's up and running,
I, Hiroshi Mochimaru, will resign.
I will continue my support
from outside the Society.
I appoint Morita as
the new Student Captain!
2ND ANNUAL
INTERNATIONAL ANTI-WAR DAY
On October 21, 1969
activists opposing the Security Treaty
and the Vietnam War
attempted a riot in Shinjuku,
as they had done a year earlier.
With the police confront,
Shinjuku seemed to be under martial law.
The protests failed, resulting in
over 1, 600 arrests across Japan.
Sir...
Dismissed!
Sir.
This riot was to be the
New Left's definitive victory.
But the police contained them.
The Self-Defense Forces no longer
protect this country.
They have been replaced
by a powerful police bureaucracy!
The Self-Defense Forces will never be
deployed to maintain order.
We'll never have a chance to rise.
And with Mochimaru
no longer with us...
What is the Shield Society
supposed to do now?
Surround the Diet with the S.D.F.
and demand an amended Constitution.
An operation like that would require
arms other than swords.
Besides I don't want any
casualties in the Diet.
Then we have no
reason to exist.
Morita.
Imagine you are at an U.S. base
with left-wing protesters.
If a G.l. killed the protestors,
what would you do?
I'd kill the G.l. then slice open
my own belly.
Death is culture.
We don't see sin in our lives
like the Christians do.
Because we know life is beautiful.
So death must be beautiful too!
I'm not afraid to die either.
But...
I fear the silent grip of time.
NOV. 5 POLICE ARRESTED 53
RED ARMY SOLDIERS IN RAID
THE RAF WAS PREPARING TO RAID
THE PRIME MINISTERS MANSION
NOV. 16 and 17
POLICE ARRESTED 2,093 PROTESTERS
OPPOSED TO THE PRIME MINISTER'S
VISIT TO THE U.S.
You want to ask me something?
I don't have much time,
so why not
ask me your most pressing question.
I'll answer that.
There's only one thing
I want to ask you, sir.
When will you die?
SEVEN LIVES FOR MY COUNTRY!
RED ARMY HIJACKED JAL FLIGHT
We're late again...
Sir.
The Red Army has done it!
They certainly have.
It's time for us to act too.
Without the Self-Defense Forces...
We don't need them!
We'll be on our own.
Well, sir?
Even if we acted, it'd be meaningless
without the Forces present.
The Forces created us.
That's our home to return to.
None of that matters.
Let's do it.
Sir.
Sir!
I'm prepared to die.
So am I!
I gave my life to you.
I can hear it screaming.
Okay, Morita!
There's no second time!
To consider survival is a corruption!
The final action will be executed
only by a determined few.
We'll inform them but not the
remaining Society members.
Yes.
I understand.
Who do you trust most
among the Society members?
So what was it that you
wanted to tell me?
Tanaka...
Who is it?
Kenichi, how have you been!
Dad!
I was in Tokyo on business,
so I dropped by.
Great!
Your mother's been worried,
you don't write!
She wanted me to see
if you're okay.
How's mother doing?
Oh, she's fine!
Dad, this is Morita.
I'm Morita.
Thanks for being a good friend
to my son.
You're welcome.
- I brought fish.
- Fish!
Let's have some sake, Dad.
I'll go buy some.
Get some snacks.
Thank you!
I'll be right back.
Stay here.
You surprised me, Dad!
Mr. Morita.
Are you and my son activists?
Mr. Morita.
My son's enthusiastic, he lets
his interest consume him.
We only have him,
he's our only son.
I wish you wouldn't involve him
in activism.
Please.
I beg you.
Excuse me.
I remembered that I have
an engagement.
You wanted to talk about
something...
Well...
It's okay, it can wait.
I appreciate your lasting support.
Don't mention it.
It's been almost 4 years
since we began.
Our training with the Self-Defense
Forces achieved its initial goals.
I'm stopping the student's
training for a while.
It's easy to organize a group.
It's so hard to maintain it!
Maybe it's time you brought it
to an end.
You should go back to writing.
But Mr. Kawabata got
the Nobel Prize...
Was your wife disappointed?
No! Yoko doesn't have those
kind of longings!
She'd have no trouble carrying on
if I wasn't around.
You're not planning anything,
are you?
Captain Fukuoka.
If you'd been on the hijacked flight
what would you have done?
Let's not talk about this.
You're an honest man.
Do you mind?
I'd prefer not to
answer your question.
Will you do it?
You can come with us.
You'd do it over my dead body.
Colonel Yamamoto, you're
a cold-hearted man.
Would you have any regrets
about joining the final action?
No.
No regrets.
So you'll do it?
Yes.
Masayoshi Koga will also join us
in the final action. Okay?
Yes.
First we get the soldiers on side.
We'll go to the Diet to demand
an amended Constitution.
We'll raid the Eastern Army HQ.
We can raid their armory.
The 32nd Regiment is part
of the Eastern Army.
They have an armory.
Can I kill any soldiers who interfere?
No. That is out of the question.
They're not our enemies.
First we take control of the armory.
Then we take the Commander.
They won't interfere.
There aren't enough of us to take
the armory and the Commander.
We should choose.
They might open fire
to protect the armory.
Will we carry firearms?
We'll have to reevaluate
what's possible.
Koga!
Koga!
Yes?
What's wrong, Morita?
Please...
Give your life
to me.
I beg you!
Morita, I appreciate that
you asked me.
My life is yours.
WE PLEDGE TO FORM THIS FOUNDATION
TO SERVE THE EMPERORS JAPAN
What we're going to do
might not have any impact.
Some will call us lunatics.
But I don't fear isolation.
We'll leave desperation behind.
We can't wait for the public
to accept our ideology.
We'll do this...
even if nobody understands.
All of you, except Morita,
have a new assignment.
The three of you will
protect the Commander.
Return the Commander unharmed
once we've completed our action.
Sir! Are you telling us to live?
Let me go with you, sir!
None of us are afraid
of the consequences.
We're ready.
Sir!
Sir!
I have a favour to ask
the three of you.
It's not about me...
It's about him.
Keep Morita's spirit alive
for future generations.
In court, tell the public about
the glory of the Shield Society.
Even if it's your direct order
I refuse to obey, sir!
If you leave us, our hearts
will die with you.
I won't know how to die alone!
Listen.
It shouldn't matter if we live
or die. We're one.
We'll be reunited in the end,
wearing the Society uniform...
We must be prepared
for the worst.
The guards might open fire on us.
We will go in, aware that
death is only a step away.
SEVEN LIVES FOR MY COUNTRY!
Hand these over tomorrow.
FOR THE PRESS. FOR YOUR EYES ONLY.
He will be waiting at
lchigaya at exactly 11 am.
I can't come.
Understood.
Listen, Tanaka...
Yes?
Never mind.
To us!
Have you read the directive?
Yes.
Very well. Let's go.
THE GARDEN IS STILL
IN THE SUMMER SUN.
THE SEA OF FERTILITY,
NOV. 25, 1970
We'll be dead in three hours.
I thought I'd feel emotional.
But I feel completely normal.
We're quite upbeat, aren't we?
If this was a yakuza movie,
we'd hear a theme song right now.
When a man puts obligation
and compassion on a scale
Obligation wins,
that's a man's code of honor
Merciful Buddha knows
everything I've done...
MY PASSION FOR MY COUNTRY BURNS UNTIL THE
EMPEROR SEES IT FROM AFAR. MASAYOSHI KOGA
THE SAMURAl'S HEART, THE CLOUDS CRY, THE
SNOW HYMNS MT. FUJI. MASAHIRO OGAWA
AS GOD WILLS, I'LL BE A TIGER OR LION
TO FIGHT FOR MY COUNTRY. HIROYASU KOGA
THE BREEZE THAT CROSSES THE FIELD KNOWS THE
HEART I KEPT SECRET FOR TODAY. MASAKATSU MORITA
AFTER YEARS IN THE SCABBARD, THE SWORD
EMERGES LIKE THE FIRST FROST. YUKIO MISHIMA
THE SHIELD SOCIETY'S
MONTHLY MEETING
I'm Tanaka.
Captain Mishima ordered me
to be on time. I apologize.
Right...
May I see your card?
TAKAO TOKUOKA
THE SUNDAY MAINICHI MAGAZINE
From the Captain.
Excuse me.
Apologies for my ill manners,
but let me cut to the chase.
It's not self promotion that
I dragged you away from work.
As our mission will take place
in the Self-Defense Forces HQ
there might be attempts
to cover it up.
We may have to abort our action
at any point.
In that case I'll go home
as if nothing's happened.
That's why! haven 't made my manifesto
known to the public.
So I have to rely on our friendship.
Commander, Mr: Mishima is here.
Keep the photos and manifesto
from the authorities.
Make them public as you see fit.
The manifesto shouldn't be edited
or censored for the public.
It's been a while, Commander.
We estimate then M! take
Mo hours...
I brought in some young men.
- With no interference, but that's unlikely.
- I want you to meet them.
Our action may seem insane
to the world,
but it's purely out of our concern
for the nation.
I believe you will understand.
Excuse me.
This is the Magoroku sword
I told you about.
Have a look.
It's the real thing!
Allow me.
That's the famous three-cedar mark...
Thank you.
Don't resist!
Commander!
What's going on?
Commander!
Commander!
Smash it.
Stay back!
Stay back!
Read and accept our terms!
Then the Commander will live.
"Our terms.
We request the following:
A. Gather all personnel at the base
at HQ by 11:30 am.
B. Listen to our speech."
MY apologies.
"C. Summon the remaining Shield Society
members to join the soldiers.
D. Do not interfere to take hostile
action between 11:10 and 13:10.
When our mission is complete and
our terms are met in 2 hours
the Commander will be
released unharmed.
If the terms are not adhered to
in any regard
Mishima will kill the Commander
and then himself."
What will we...
I agree to your terms.
I'll summon all personnel.
Who are you? What's you position?
Deputy Chief of Staff.
I have the highest authority.
Gather your men by noon.
No offensive or disruptive action
should occur until 13:30.
What about the Commander?
If you follow our terms, he'll live.
Understood. Keep your word.
Now the ruling party
think they can control any
demonstration with the police!
You won't be deployed!
They don't need you!
That means we won't be able
to get the Constitution amended!
Do you follow my logic?
Since the 10121 demonstration!
Since the 10121 demonstration
the military forces are being used
to enforce the Constitution.
You waited 20 humiliating years
for it to be amended! But no more!
It's no longer a viable
political agenda.
They took it away!
Why didn't you see that?
I've waited one year for you
to resent the situation!
But no more amendments!
You'll never be official forces.
You lost your cause.
For that I grieve!
What are your forces for?
To protect Japan!
What does it mean?
To protect Japan
is to protect the history and tradition
that the Emperor stands for!
Listen to me!
Listen!
Be quiet!
Shut up!
Be quiet!
Listen!
Listen quietly!
A man's appealing to you
at the cost of his life!
Are you ready?
Listen!
If Japan and the Self-Defense Forces
don't stand up now
we'll never have another chance
to amend the Constitution.
You'll be part of the American
Military forever.
Who controls the civilians?
Who wants you to be quiet?
Who wants you to quietly accept
the current Constitution?
I have been waiting for four years
for you to stand up against
the oppression!
I have 30 minutes.
My last 30 minutes
and I'm waiting!
You're samurai!
Aren't you samurai?
If you're samurai, why do you protect
a Constitution that denies you?
Don't be yes men to your deniers!
You'll never be vindicated
as long as it exists!
Never! The current Constitution
is a political conspiracy!
It lets you pretend that you're
constitutional but you're not!
You're unconstitutional!
You're unlawful!
It's a conspiracy!
Finally the Self-Defense Forces
have become
protectors of their deniers!
Don't you see that?
Why don't you see that?
I waited for you
to break free from it!
But you're near-sighted, deluded
and blind to the truth.
You'll never stand up for Japan.
You don't know you've been enslaved
by a constitution that ruined Japan.
Is there any man who will
fight with me?
None of you will.
What does it mean to be brave?
What does a sword mean to you?
Are you men?
Are you samurai?
You are not samurai!
I see that none of you will join our fight
to have the Constitution amended.
I have lost all hope for you.
Right here I will hail
His Highness, the Emperor!
Long live the Emperor!
Long live the Emperor!
Long live the Emperor!
This isn't personal.
I tried to return your forces
to the Emperor.
I will redeem myself with death.
We had to do this...
Assist me at the end.
Koga! Help me with this...
Please.
Stop this absurdity at once!
Don't do it!
Not yet...
Now.
Mr. Mishima...
Morita...
5 YEARS LATER
I knew that's how you bring
your life to a close.
But nothing changed...
Thank you.
Mr. Koga.
I want to ask you one thing.
Yes, ma'am.
On that day five years ago...
What did you feel when you left
my husband's body behind?
What did you leave behind?
Selected bibliography of
Yukio Mishima
ARATA IURA
SHINOSUKE MITSUSHIMA
TAKATSUGU IWAMA, TASUKU NAGAOKA
SHUZUNOSUKE
HIDEO NAKAIZUMI, ICHIRO HASHIMOTO
YUKI HIRANO, SHINJI SUZUKI
Subtitle editing and timing
by miikki for ADC
Special thanks to
ikeda69
to fix what's wrong
so we can go back to our
natural stale.
Regrettably this country is rife with
the wrong, unjust and the unnatural.
Article 9 of the Constitution
prohibits the right of belligerency.
A decision was made not to
maintain any kind of armed forces
and not to engage in any act of
belligerency.
But we have the Self-Defense Forces.
The Security Treaty we ratified with
America poses a great contradiction.
SOCIALIST PARTY SECRETARY, ASANUMA
STABBED BY A 17-YEAR-OLD MINOR
On November 2, 1960, a 17-year-old boy
hanged himself in juvenile detention.
He'd stabbed the Socialist Party
Secretary 20 days earlier.
His name was Otoya Yamaguchi.
SEVEN LIVES FOR MY COUNTRY!
LONG LIVE THE EMPEROR!
YUKIO MISHIMA
PATRIOTISM BY YUKIO MISHIMA
11125 THE DAY HE CHOSE HIS OWN FATE
YUKIO MISHIMA AND HIS YOUNG FOLLOWERS
MIE PREFECTURE, 1963
Morita, did you meet Minister Kono?
No, I couldn't
I waited for hours...
What for?
He could be the next Prime Minister.
So I want to be his intern.
I'll go to V\/aseda University like him
and make Japan what it should be.
What do you mean?
A country to live by and live for!
It's flawed now.
WASEDA UNIVERSITY, 1966
In January 1966 at Waseda University
the students organized their first
all-out strike to gain control
of the student hall and
to protest rising tuition fees.
The strike lasted 150 days.
This is Morita. He's a freshman,
class president.
Morita. Nice to meet you.
Masaku Morita. My name means
"Always wins."
- Sit down.
- Thank you.
We're concerned about
the situation at Waseda.
What is your opinion?
As I told Saito,
the destructive activities of the
New Left radicals are intolerable!
They're wrecking the campus!
You're right.
That's not the way to protest
tuition hikes.
Those leftists will kill
the V\/aseda Spirit.
We have to put a stop to it
and restore order.
That's exactly why we're here.
Join us, Morita.
It'd be my honor, thank you!
STRIKE!
We rise under the banner of neo-ethnic
nationalism to confront
communism and the All-Student-Alliance.
The left-wing radicals
are expanding.
They take advantage
of the colonial Constitution,
support intellectual regression
and polarize Japan.
The Meiji Revolution heroes can teach
us how to maintain
historical continuity,
cultural integrity
and ethnic autonomy,
all embodied in the Emperor.
They revitalized our history.
To attain these goals we established
the Japan Students' League, or J.S.L.
At a grass roots level, we'll restore
ethnic nationalism with activism.
We'll organize student movements,
the very engine of our history.
It's exquisite!
It was made by Magoroku.
You can have it.
In gratitude for all you've done.
"Patriotism," your last novel,
is a masterpiece.
It's one of our bestsellers.
Thank you.
"Patriotism" is the last of a trilogy.
The first two novels were about the
young officers who attempted
the failed 2126 coup in 1936.
With "Patriotism" I concluded the
1936 coup d'etat theme.
Now I'll write my magnum opus.
Why did His Majesty choose
to renounce his claim to divinity?
Do you think you'll win
the Nobel Prize?
Sir?
I'm not all together sure.
Mr. Tanizaki is a tough competitor.
I'm Mochimaru. The editor of the
Debate Journal referred me to you.
I'm here to ask a favour of you.
Why don't you sit down?
Your "Patriotism"
was most impressive.
I'd be grateful if you'd write
an article for our J.S.L. magazine.
The J.S.L. was founded
to uphold ethnic nationalism
and to protect the nation
from the communists!
Very well. First, sit down.
This is Yoko, my wife.
- Nice to meet you.
- Likewise.
Have some tea.
Thank you.
Your concern for the nation
resonates with mine.
I'll do it.
And don't worry about
paying me.
Thank you, sir.
Do you know what beauty is?
It's your innocence and purity.
It was with innocence
that the officers carried out
the coup d'etat for the Emperor.
With corruption rife in Japan,
only the military can make changes.
Now the Self-Defense Forces
are our national defense.
This is between us.
I'll undergo Army training to
discipline myself as a soldier.
Perhaps I'm possessed by the spirit
of Major lsobe from "Patriotism."
Perhaps he's making me do this.
- Mochimaru.
- Yes, sir.
Have you ever held a sword?
No.
Hold this.
Sword are not to be marveled at
like a piece of art.
They are alive.
Only living swords will deliver us
from the intellectuals' hypocrisy
that's plagued the nation since
the Security Treaty was ratified in 1960.
JGSDF CAMP FUJI
Captain Fukuoka, this is
Mr. Yukio Mishima, the novelist.
You will train him
while he's with us.
- Okay?
- Yes, sir.
Captain. My real name is
Kimitake Hiraoka.
Train me as Hiraoka, a recruit.
Not Mishima the novelist.
Sir, I'll call you Ranger Hiraoka
during the drill.
The training field is immense!
I'll run, if you'll excuse me.
No! I'm no good!
Pathetic!
This has to change!
This is to show my appreciation
to my instructors.
Help yourselves.
You too, Dean.
After joining the Self Defense Forces
I've realized how great they are.
It's a man's world!
It's Japan as it should be!
Come now, sir,
that's enough flattery.
You can't squeeze anything more
out of me.
Can you do the honors?
I've already had a sip!
Here's to us!
To us!
This is good sake.
In 3 years, the U.S.-Japan
Security Treaty will be renewed.
In the meantime the students will
continue to protest.
When the police can't contain them,
you'll be needed.
Then your forces could become
the official national force!
We must change Japan for the better.
And I'll be there to fight with you.
I'll be the first!
As you know, we can't be
involved in politics.
We're just officials
in the public service.
We're under the Ministry of Defense,
which is actually run by the police.
A coup d'état is out of the question.
The 2126 coup failed, because Japan
had already been modernized.
Coups only work
in underdeveloped countries.
That's my opinion.
Underdeveloped!
I can't argue with an intellectual
like you.
I'm being flattered
by a famous novelist.
Go on.
Yes, a master novelist.
It was 1967. The Vietnam War
raged on more intensely.
Every day, U. S. aircraft took off
from US. bases in Japan.
OCT. 8, 1967 ZENGAKUREN PROTEST AGAINST
PRIME MINISTER'S VIETNAM VISIT.
More citizens protested each day.
A NEED FOR A MILITIA
I read it.
Sir, writing is one thing, but putting it
into action is another...
You're a great writer. That's what you
should devote yourself to.
I hear you might win the Nobel Prize.
Your objectives might be
achieved through writing.
Colonel Yamamoto.
I've given up on writing.
I'm not interested in the
Nobel Prize either.
As the U.S.-Japan Security treaty
will be renewed in 1970
I can only think about its impact on
Japan's future and its military forces.
Very well.
I can help you with basic training.
We'll meet again.
I appreciate it.
SITUATION AT A RESORT HOTEL
MAN TOOK GUESTS
AS HOSTAGES
FEB. 20, 1968
THE KWON HYI-RO HOSTAGE CASE
One way to get attention
is to take hostages.
One man can draw so much attention.
WE PLEDGE HEREUNDER,
ON FEB. 25, 1968
TO FORM THIS FOUNDATION TO
SERVE THE EMPERORS JAPAN
IN OUR CAPACITY AS HONORABLE
JAPANESE MEN.
KIMITAKE HIRAOKA,
KAZUHIKO NAKATSUJI,
KIYOSHI BANDAI,
HIROSHI MOCHIMARU
Sorry, I'm late.
- Been waiting long?
- It's okay.
Sorry.
Please sit.
I was contacted by Mochimaru,
the Debate Journal editor.
Their military drill
starts in March.
Five members dropped out.
But the J.S.L. doesn't approve of
Mr. Mishima's militia concept.
So I won’t join them.
It's not that we disapprove
of Mishima's militia.
I want Mr. Mishima to know that.
I want you to join them as a
conciliatory gesture, Morita.
Then I'll join.
- One, two, one, two!
- Let's go!
Louder!
Morita!
- Are you okay?
- Sorry.
I'll help you.
- Come on!
- Thank you!
- One, two, one, two!
- Let's go!
Louder!
What's wrong?
Shape up!
Listen up.
This is Colonel Yamamoto.
He'll help us with our training.
Attention!
Salute!
At ease.
We're crossing!
Kuramochi!
Hold on to me, Kuramochi.
Hold on to me!
You can do it!
Thank you.
I wonder how you'll bring
the drama of your life to a close.
You know the answer.
As they say. The way of the
samurai warrior is death.
I'll keep doing what I'm doing.
Everyone! Help yourselves.
Thank you.
We have wine, too.
Oh, not enough glasses?
Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am.
Go ahead.
Everybody fixed?
Kuramochi, come on.
Let's eat.
It's delicious!
- Is it good?
- Yes!
Good.
Over to Morita!
You're a good singer.
Masakatsu Morita!
Here I go!
When a man puts obligation
and compassion on a scale
Obligation wins,
that's a man's code of honor
Merciful Buddha knows
everything I've done...
My friends!
From here we can see two of the islands
stolen by the Soviet Union.
Kaigara Island and Suisho Island
belong to Japan!
Behind the fog
lie the islands that are
Japanese territory.
When WWII ended, the Soviet
imperialists even attempted to
take over Hokkaido Island with no
legal or historical claim.
Looking at those stolen islands now...
SOVIET INVADERS LEAVE OUR TERRITORY!
...our ethnic pride boils in our
blood with anger!
Hey!
You two!
That's my boat!
We want to reclaim
the stolen territory.
Those islands?
Yes, sir.
The Soviet bastards took
advantage of us.
They claimed our islands when Japan
was occupied at the end of WWII.
It's unforgivable!
We'll get back what's ours!
Can you give us the ignition key?
Listen, boys.
As soon as you leave land
you'll be arrested by the Soviets.
You wouldn't be back for at least
6 months. Is that what you want?
Guerrilla warfare.
Conventional warfare.
Offense and
defense.
The strategies that come down
the chain of command
are informed by intelligence.
This is important.
Let's have a break.
Thank you, Colonel.
Colonel Yamamoto.
Yes?
I have a question.
Tell me how to kill.
How do you successfully
kill an enemy with a sword?
Morita. Disabling an enemy with a
sword is ineffective in modern warfare.
Well then? How and whom
should I kill for Japan?
Who is the biggest threat to Japan?
Only if you can accept your
death you can kill.
In fact
I haven't found my true enemy yet.
Sir, that sounds like apathy...
Our credo is:
One, maintain our military spirit!
Two, tirelessly attain
military knowledge!
Three, learn military techniques.
This is the basis of our corps.
The name of our corps is
Shield Society.
All personnel will do at least a month
of Self-Defense Force training.
Camaraderie unites us.
Members must keep a neat appearance,
be refined and disciplined.
Hiroshi Mochimaru is
your student captain!
October 5, 1968, Mishima
founded the Shield Society.
It was a military organization
of civilians.
Its goal was to train commanders
for the militia.
It was financed solely by Mishima.
FIRST-EVER NOBEL LITERARY PRIZE
FOR A JAPANESE!
OCT. 17, 1968 YASUNARI KAWABATA WON
THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE
OCT. 21, 1968 SHINJUKU RIOT
ON INTERNATIONAL ANTI-WAR DAY
Reporting, Chief!
The Middle Core and the
Marxist-Leninist Faction took a train
to Yoyogi and walked
to Shinjuku Station.
Reporting!
The Socialist Students League raided the
Ministry of Defense and went to Shinjuku.
Mr. Mishima!
The activists gathered at the East Gate
and moved at about 9 pm.
They vandalized movie billboards
and stormed the terminal.
The police just watched!
They did nothing to control the mob.
The agitators got the mob riled up!
This is the communists
indirect invasion!
It's time for us to strike!
Yes!
The Shield Society's activities
have only begun.
We're not equipped to fight yet.
It's too early.
Reporting!
They're being arrested
for disorderly conduct!
No Self-Defense Forces?
Mr. Mishima.
That's how the night will proceed.
The police will make arrests
to contain the situation.
So the Self-Defense Forces
will not be deployed.
Chief, I advise you to dismiss
your personnel tonight.
Are you telling me to ignore
their burning desire to fight?
ON JAN. 18 AND19, 1969 THE TOKYO
UNIVERSITY BARRICADES WERE REMOVED.
1 won't object to violence committed
either by the right wing or the left.
To deny the use of violence
unconditionally
is the Communist Party's ideology.
Agreed;
Our political beliefs are opposite.
But I detest the rhetoric of
audacious intellectuals,
who control Japanese people
with their ideologies.
Agreed!
TOKYO UNIVERSITY JOINT STRUGGLE COUNCIL
VS. MISHIMA
I can't accept everything
you've done,
but I applaud your achievements.
You challenge intellectual superiority.
Which originates in pre-WWII ideology.
Professor Mishima argues...
I mean Mr. Mishima...
I called him professor unconsciously.
But in comparison to the
professors around here
he surely deserves the title.
That's my rationale.
His criticism of post-V\/I/\/II
intellectuals is accurate.
So on what point do we differ?
That's revealed when we see ourselves
in relation to other intellectuals.
Wait a minute!
I came here today because I thought
we were going to beat Mishima up!
Agreed!
Listen to yourself!
Here you are discussing
interrelationships as abstract!
It's all a conceptual game for you.
Aren't revolutions about
redefining ideas?
She's right!
I read your books
but they're boring.
Agreed!
Since "Patriotism", he writes sentimentally
about the Emperor.
He's trapped in the days
of imperialist rule.
So he embarrasses himself
by imitating the Self-Defense Forces.
Agreed!
Let me be serious here.
During your occupation
of Yasuda Auditorium
you didn't acknowledge the Emperor.
If you had I would have happily
joined your cause and revolution.
In fact, the current Emperor isn't
my ideal Emperor unfortunately.
I want the Emperor to reassume
the role of a divine entity.
Nonsense!
You can only write when your creativity
overlaps with your idea of the Emperor!
That's right.
Nonsense!
So if Japan wouldn't exist, you wouldn't.
That's okay.
I was born in Japan. So I want
to die as a samurai.
Go, samurai!
The Emperor is just an idealized
symbol for Mishima.
Granted that the Emperor is absolute
and transcends reality
the idea of the Emperor collapsed
in the reality of history.
Mishima must take political action
to resume his relation to reality.
Despite our opinions of the Emperor
Mishima should eliminate that relation
which is the Establishment.
Agreed!
Your logic is solid, but...
I will not follow logic.
What do you mean?
I've been pushed to the point
where all I'm left with is pride.
If you accepted the Emperor I'd be
willing to be your ally.
But you don't,
so that's where we stand.
That's how it goes.
And if you concurred with
our social revolution
we'd ask you to join us.
That's right!
I agree with your attempts
to destroy conventions.
I think I've been doing that
as a novelist.
But you treat me as the
embodiment of the Establishment.
That pleases me and I find it
oddly flattering.
I accept the fervor of your beliefs,
I put my faith in it.
Even if I don't believe
in anything else you do.
Will you join our revolution
or not?
- Well, will you?
- Answer now!
I will not join your revolution.
Nonsense!
Get out of here!
Leave!
RESIGNATION
I devoted 3 years of my college
life to being a J.S.L. leader.
Through our activism we met Mr. Mishima
to whom we're indebted.
So we want to return the favour.
To do so we'll have to leave
the J.S.L.
We have no regrets.
You mean you'll only commit
to the Shield Society now?
Yes. My apologies for leaving.
I read your recent article on
Anti-Revolution.
You wrote that you put faith in
your followers.
I agree with you.
You also wrote that effectiveness
was insignificant.
What ideology rejects effectiveness?
It sounds as if you're merely
toying with ideas and words.
Fighting with a sword and risking
your life is what's significant.
The act is the point.
That act will find followers.
If your goal is to change Japan,
you must win your fights.
You'll need tanks, missiles and arms
to suppress the enemy.
Spirituality without means
is empty.
'(You're wrong!
You're utterly missing the point!
Our objective is to protect Japan's
culture with our flesh.
And only swords symbolize that.
I wrote, I put my faith in my followers
which means I believe in those
who protect Japan's traditional values.
Mr. Mishima, never mind him.
He sounds offensive
but he's a good officer.
When the time comes,
he'll serve you well.
Excuse me.
Morita!
Look at this!
NATIONALIST AGITATOR EXPELLED
MASAKATSU MORITA SOLD HIS SOUL
TO THE COMMUNISTS!
I wouldn't sell my soul...
To the Communists?
Keep UP!
How far 'til the point?
Five kilometers to go.
Keep UP!
Sir.
I must confess and
apologize to you.
What is it?
When I read your work
I understand almost nothing.
That's not important.
When I'm with you boys,
I'm not a novelist or author.
I'm just a man who has the same
affinity with our country.
I feel relieved.
Even if I'm the last one,
I'll follow you.
We do not value knowledge.
What matters is determination,
action and a beautiful mind.
That exists in a beautiful body.
An ailing body plagues the mind.
I exercise all the time.
Morita.
What do you believe in?
I believe in Japan.
Good.
To live beautifully in Japan means
thinking about how to die for Japan.
Yes, sir.
- Go and get warm.
- Thank you.
I appreciate it.
GIVE OKINAWA BACK TO JAPAN!
APR. 28, 1969
THE OKINAWA DAY DEMONSTRATION
THE COUNTER-TERRORISM LEGISLATION
WAS ENFORCED.
Our Code of Conduct.
Shield Society members enter
the Emperor's palace to protect it.
The Shield Society...
Hold it, Mr. Mishima!
That's the last resort.
We should never initiate action.
The mob will not storm the palace.
The police are arresting anybody
who joins the riot.
What we have to do instead...
is to prepare ourselves by
training for close quarters combat.
Can't Self-Defense Forces soldiers
act on your own sense of justice?
Can't you bleed
unless you're ordered to?
How about will?
Don't you take initiative
as a military man?
If not, you're nothing
but an office worker.
Morita.
Sir, this is for you.
L, MASAKATSU MORITA, AM ALWAYS
READY TO DIE FOR YOU.
Sir.
I'll go wherever you go.
You're a good swordsman.
You'll be strong.
Show me how to become
truly strong.
Morita, true strength
is a beautiful thing.
I can't understand!
If I were like you,
I could stand strong!
Slow down, Morita.
I can't slow down!
Japan is changing as the leftists
increase their power!
Stay calm.
I'm making plans.
With no plans, we'd be wiped out.
I wouldn't mind that!
To show my feelings for Japan
and to stand by your side
is all I want.
Morita, youth needn't be bound
to foolishness.
I'm ready.
I will be a vivid proof of life.
It smells nice.
I've got some news.
Finally I'm officially engaged.
To Yoshiko?
Congratulations, Mochimaru!
I knew this day would come.
How about children?
When you have a child, you can use
a character from my name.
This is wonderful.
Any wedding plans?
You have any?
Not yet.
You're getting married!
Finally...
Mr. Mishima.
I must apologize about
the Debate Journal scandal.
The editors were desperate
to keep the journal going.
Let's not talk about that now...
Mochimaru.
You know Kiyoharu Tanaka boasts
that he funds the Shield Society?
The editors, Nakatsuji and Banda
used the Shield Society's name
to get money from Tanaka
for their journal.
I finance the Society!
You know that.
Those two understand nothing about
the spirit of the Society!
They betrayed me.
Do you want them to
resign their membership?
Yes. if they don't quit voluntarily,
I'll ask them to.
Is that so?
If editor-in-chief Nakasuji
leaves the Shield Society,
as his deputy, I'd be
obliged to resign too.
No need for you to quit.
Actually I have a job waiting
for me when I graduate.
At a security company.
You'd take a 9-to-5 job?
Yes.
I will distance myself from
the Society and the Journal.
But I'll continue
my nationalist activities.
Mochimaru.
We built the Shield Society together.
I'll pay Yo"-
You can stay as an administrator
after you graduate.
You'll get paid monthly, enough to
raise a family with Yoshiko.
Sir.
I appreciate your concern.
But I want to be a nationalist
who is his own man.
Should passion...
submerge...
in absurdity?
The Society now has its
4th generation of recruits.
A larger personnel makes our
group more effective.
Now the Society's up and running,
I, Hiroshi Mochimaru, will resign.
I will continue my support
from outside the Society.
I appoint Morita as
the new Student Captain!
2ND ANNUAL
INTERNATIONAL ANTI-WAR DAY
On October 21, 1969
activists opposing the Security Treaty
and the Vietnam War
attempted a riot in Shinjuku,
as they had done a year earlier.
With the police confront,
Shinjuku seemed to be under martial law.
The protests failed, resulting in
over 1, 600 arrests across Japan.
Sir...
Dismissed!
Sir.
This riot was to be the
New Left's definitive victory.
But the police contained them.
The Self-Defense Forces no longer
protect this country.
They have been replaced
by a powerful police bureaucracy!
The Self-Defense Forces will never be
deployed to maintain order.
We'll never have a chance to rise.
And with Mochimaru
no longer with us...
What is the Shield Society
supposed to do now?
Surround the Diet with the S.D.F.
and demand an amended Constitution.
An operation like that would require
arms other than swords.
Besides I don't want any
casualties in the Diet.
Then we have no
reason to exist.
Morita.
Imagine you are at an U.S. base
with left-wing protesters.
If a G.l. killed the protestors,
what would you do?
I'd kill the G.l. then slice open
my own belly.
Death is culture.
We don't see sin in our lives
like the Christians do.
Because we know life is beautiful.
So death must be beautiful too!
I'm not afraid to die either.
But...
I fear the silent grip of time.
NOV. 5 POLICE ARRESTED 53
RED ARMY SOLDIERS IN RAID
THE RAF WAS PREPARING TO RAID
THE PRIME MINISTERS MANSION
NOV. 16 and 17
POLICE ARRESTED 2,093 PROTESTERS
OPPOSED TO THE PRIME MINISTER'S
VISIT TO THE U.S.
You want to ask me something?
I don't have much time,
so why not
ask me your most pressing question.
I'll answer that.
There's only one thing
I want to ask you, sir.
When will you die?
SEVEN LIVES FOR MY COUNTRY!
RED ARMY HIJACKED JAL FLIGHT
We're late again...
Sir.
The Red Army has done it!
They certainly have.
It's time for us to act too.
Without the Self-Defense Forces...
We don't need them!
We'll be on our own.
Well, sir?
Even if we acted, it'd be meaningless
without the Forces present.
The Forces created us.
That's our home to return to.
None of that matters.
Let's do it.
Sir.
Sir!
I'm prepared to die.
So am I!
I gave my life to you.
I can hear it screaming.
Okay, Morita!
There's no second time!
To consider survival is a corruption!
The final action will be executed
only by a determined few.
We'll inform them but not the
remaining Society members.
Yes.
I understand.
Who do you trust most
among the Society members?
So what was it that you
wanted to tell me?
Tanaka...
Who is it?
Kenichi, how have you been!
Dad!
I was in Tokyo on business,
so I dropped by.
Great!
Your mother's been worried,
you don't write!
She wanted me to see
if you're okay.
How's mother doing?
Oh, she's fine!
Dad, this is Morita.
I'm Morita.
Thanks for being a good friend
to my son.
You're welcome.
- I brought fish.
- Fish!
Let's have some sake, Dad.
I'll go buy some.
Get some snacks.
Thank you!
I'll be right back.
Stay here.
You surprised me, Dad!
Mr. Morita.
Are you and my son activists?
Mr. Morita.
My son's enthusiastic, he lets
his interest consume him.
We only have him,
he's our only son.
I wish you wouldn't involve him
in activism.
Please.
I beg you.
Excuse me.
I remembered that I have
an engagement.
You wanted to talk about
something...
Well...
It's okay, it can wait.
I appreciate your lasting support.
Don't mention it.
It's been almost 4 years
since we began.
Our training with the Self-Defense
Forces achieved its initial goals.
I'm stopping the student's
training for a while.
It's easy to organize a group.
It's so hard to maintain it!
Maybe it's time you brought it
to an end.
You should go back to writing.
But Mr. Kawabata got
the Nobel Prize...
Was your wife disappointed?
No! Yoko doesn't have those
kind of longings!
She'd have no trouble carrying on
if I wasn't around.
You're not planning anything,
are you?
Captain Fukuoka.
If you'd been on the hijacked flight
what would you have done?
Let's not talk about this.
You're an honest man.
Do you mind?
I'd prefer not to
answer your question.
Will you do it?
You can come with us.
You'd do it over my dead body.
Colonel Yamamoto, you're
a cold-hearted man.
Would you have any regrets
about joining the final action?
No.
No regrets.
So you'll do it?
Yes.
Masayoshi Koga will also join us
in the final action. Okay?
Yes.
First we get the soldiers on side.
We'll go to the Diet to demand
an amended Constitution.
We'll raid the Eastern Army HQ.
We can raid their armory.
The 32nd Regiment is part
of the Eastern Army.
They have an armory.
Can I kill any soldiers who interfere?
No. That is out of the question.
They're not our enemies.
First we take control of the armory.
Then we take the Commander.
They won't interfere.
There aren't enough of us to take
the armory and the Commander.
We should choose.
They might open fire
to protect the armory.
Will we carry firearms?
We'll have to reevaluate
what's possible.
Koga!
Koga!
Yes?
What's wrong, Morita?
Please...
Give your life
to me.
I beg you!
Morita, I appreciate that
you asked me.
My life is yours.
WE PLEDGE TO FORM THIS FOUNDATION
TO SERVE THE EMPERORS JAPAN
What we're going to do
might not have any impact.
Some will call us lunatics.
But I don't fear isolation.
We'll leave desperation behind.
We can't wait for the public
to accept our ideology.
We'll do this...
even if nobody understands.
All of you, except Morita,
have a new assignment.
The three of you will
protect the Commander.
Return the Commander unharmed
once we've completed our action.
Sir! Are you telling us to live?
Let me go with you, sir!
None of us are afraid
of the consequences.
We're ready.
Sir!
Sir!
I have a favour to ask
the three of you.
It's not about me...
It's about him.
Keep Morita's spirit alive
for future generations.
In court, tell the public about
the glory of the Shield Society.
Even if it's your direct order
I refuse to obey, sir!
If you leave us, our hearts
will die with you.
I won't know how to die alone!
Listen.
It shouldn't matter if we live
or die. We're one.
We'll be reunited in the end,
wearing the Society uniform...
We must be prepared
for the worst.
The guards might open fire on us.
We will go in, aware that
death is only a step away.
SEVEN LIVES FOR MY COUNTRY!
Hand these over tomorrow.
FOR THE PRESS. FOR YOUR EYES ONLY.
He will be waiting at
lchigaya at exactly 11 am.
I can't come.
Understood.
Listen, Tanaka...
Yes?
Never mind.
To us!
Have you read the directive?
Yes.
Very well. Let's go.
THE GARDEN IS STILL
IN THE SUMMER SUN.
THE SEA OF FERTILITY,
NOV. 25, 1970
We'll be dead in three hours.
I thought I'd feel emotional.
But I feel completely normal.
We're quite upbeat, aren't we?
If this was a yakuza movie,
we'd hear a theme song right now.
When a man puts obligation
and compassion on a scale
Obligation wins,
that's a man's code of honor
Merciful Buddha knows
everything I've done...
MY PASSION FOR MY COUNTRY BURNS UNTIL THE
EMPEROR SEES IT FROM AFAR. MASAYOSHI KOGA
THE SAMURAl'S HEART, THE CLOUDS CRY, THE
SNOW HYMNS MT. FUJI. MASAHIRO OGAWA
AS GOD WILLS, I'LL BE A TIGER OR LION
TO FIGHT FOR MY COUNTRY. HIROYASU KOGA
THE BREEZE THAT CROSSES THE FIELD KNOWS THE
HEART I KEPT SECRET FOR TODAY. MASAKATSU MORITA
AFTER YEARS IN THE SCABBARD, THE SWORD
EMERGES LIKE THE FIRST FROST. YUKIO MISHIMA
THE SHIELD SOCIETY'S
MONTHLY MEETING
I'm Tanaka.
Captain Mishima ordered me
to be on time. I apologize.
Right...
May I see your card?
TAKAO TOKUOKA
THE SUNDAY MAINICHI MAGAZINE
From the Captain.
Excuse me.
Apologies for my ill manners,
but let me cut to the chase.
It's not self promotion that
I dragged you away from work.
As our mission will take place
in the Self-Defense Forces HQ
there might be attempts
to cover it up.
We may have to abort our action
at any point.
In that case I'll go home
as if nothing's happened.
That's why! haven 't made my manifesto
known to the public.
So I have to rely on our friendship.
Commander, Mr: Mishima is here.
Keep the photos and manifesto
from the authorities.
Make them public as you see fit.
The manifesto shouldn't be edited
or censored for the public.
It's been a while, Commander.
We estimate then M! take
Mo hours...
I brought in some young men.
- With no interference, but that's unlikely.
- I want you to meet them.
Our action may seem insane
to the world,
but it's purely out of our concern
for the nation.
I believe you will understand.
Excuse me.
This is the Magoroku sword
I told you about.
Have a look.
It's the real thing!
Allow me.
That's the famous three-cedar mark...
Thank you.
Don't resist!
Commander!
What's going on?
Commander!
Commander!
Smash it.
Stay back!
Stay back!
Read and accept our terms!
Then the Commander will live.
"Our terms.
We request the following:
A. Gather all personnel at the base
at HQ by 11:30 am.
B. Listen to our speech."
MY apologies.
"C. Summon the remaining Shield Society
members to join the soldiers.
D. Do not interfere to take hostile
action between 11:10 and 13:10.
When our mission is complete and
our terms are met in 2 hours
the Commander will be
released unharmed.
If the terms are not adhered to
in any regard
Mishima will kill the Commander
and then himself."
What will we...
I agree to your terms.
I'll summon all personnel.
Who are you? What's you position?
Deputy Chief of Staff.
I have the highest authority.
Gather your men by noon.
No offensive or disruptive action
should occur until 13:30.
What about the Commander?
If you follow our terms, he'll live.
Understood. Keep your word.
Now the ruling party
think they can control any
demonstration with the police!
You won't be deployed!
They don't need you!
That means we won't be able
to get the Constitution amended!
Do you follow my logic?
Since the 10121 demonstration!
Since the 10121 demonstration
the military forces are being used
to enforce the Constitution.
You waited 20 humiliating years
for it to be amended! But no more!
It's no longer a viable
political agenda.
They took it away!
Why didn't you see that?
I've waited one year for you
to resent the situation!
But no more amendments!
You'll never be official forces.
You lost your cause.
For that I grieve!
What are your forces for?
To protect Japan!
What does it mean?
To protect Japan
is to protect the history and tradition
that the Emperor stands for!
Listen to me!
Listen!
Be quiet!
Shut up!
Be quiet!
Listen!
Listen quietly!
A man's appealing to you
at the cost of his life!
Are you ready?
Listen!
If Japan and the Self-Defense Forces
don't stand up now
we'll never have another chance
to amend the Constitution.
You'll be part of the American
Military forever.
Who controls the civilians?
Who wants you to be quiet?
Who wants you to quietly accept
the current Constitution?
I have been waiting for four years
for you to stand up against
the oppression!
I have 30 minutes.
My last 30 minutes
and I'm waiting!
You're samurai!
Aren't you samurai?
If you're samurai, why do you protect
a Constitution that denies you?
Don't be yes men to your deniers!
You'll never be vindicated
as long as it exists!
Never! The current Constitution
is a political conspiracy!
It lets you pretend that you're
constitutional but you're not!
You're unconstitutional!
You're unlawful!
It's a conspiracy!
Finally the Self-Defense Forces
have become
protectors of their deniers!
Don't you see that?
Why don't you see that?
I waited for you
to break free from it!
But you're near-sighted, deluded
and blind to the truth.
You'll never stand up for Japan.
You don't know you've been enslaved
by a constitution that ruined Japan.
Is there any man who will
fight with me?
None of you will.
What does it mean to be brave?
What does a sword mean to you?
Are you men?
Are you samurai?
You are not samurai!
I see that none of you will join our fight
to have the Constitution amended.
I have lost all hope for you.
Right here I will hail
His Highness, the Emperor!
Long live the Emperor!
Long live the Emperor!
Long live the Emperor!
This isn't personal.
I tried to return your forces
to the Emperor.
I will redeem myself with death.
We had to do this...
Assist me at the end.
Koga! Help me with this...
Please.
Stop this absurdity at once!
Don't do it!
Not yet...
Now.
Mr. Mishima...
Morita...
5 YEARS LATER
I knew that's how you bring
your life to a close.
But nothing changed...
Thank you.
Mr. Koga.
I want to ask you one thing.
Yes, ma'am.
On that day five years ago...
What did you feel when you left
my husband's body behind?
What did you leave behind?
Selected bibliography of
Yukio Mishima
ARATA IURA
SHINOSUKE MITSUSHIMA
TAKATSUGU IWAMA, TASUKU NAGAOKA
SHUZUNOSUKE
HIDEO NAKAIZUMI, ICHIRO HASHIMOTO
YUKI HIRANO, SHINJI SUZUKI
Subtitle editing and timing
by miikki for ADC
Special thanks to
ikeda69