“The moment the blade tore open his flesh, the bright disk of the sun soared up and exploded behind his eyelids.”
Book One: The Sea of Fertility
The novel opens in 1932, introducing Isao Iinuma, a young nationalist inspired by the samurai code. He leads a secret society called the “League of the Divine Wind,” plotting to overthrow corrupt politicians and industrialists. Isao’s fervor is fueled by his father’s past as a right-wing activist and his own rigid idealism.
Book Two: The League of the Divine Wind
Isao recruits like-minded students, organizing clandestine meetings to discuss their revolutionary plans. He idolizes the 19th-century samurai who died in the failed Shimabara Rebellion, seeing their sacrifice as pure. His mentor, the retired judge Honda, observes Isao’s zeal with unease, recognizing parallels to his late friend Kiyoaki (from Spring Snow).
Book Three: The Assassination Plot
The League finalizes plans to assassinate key financial and political figures. Isao’s resolve hardens as he prepares for martyrdom, believing death will purify Japan. A failed police raid forces the group to accelerate their plot, leading to a chaotic, violent confrontation.
Book Four: The Fall
Isao and his comrades carry out their attacks, but the mission collapses. Arrested and imprisoned, Isao remains defiant, seeing his trial as a platform for his ideals. His final act—a seppuku (ritual suicide)—mirrors the samurai he revered, ending in a blaze of tragic glory.
Key Ideas
- Fanaticism and idealism leading to self-destruction
- The clash between tradition and modernity in pre-war Japan
- Martyrdom as a form of political protest
- The cyclical nature of history and fate
- The spiritual emptiness of materialism
Who should read this book?
- Readers interested in Japanese nationalism and historical fiction
- Fans of Mishima’s philosophical and political themes
- Those exploring the psychology of extremism and sacrifice