Forbidden Colors

Forbidden Colors follows two central characters in post-war Japan: Shunsuke, an aging writer with a deep hatred of women, and Yuichi, a young gay man of extraordinary beauty. The story centers on their unlikely alliance as Shunsuke attempts to transform Yuichi into an instrument of his misogynistic revenge. The novel examines the complex social dynamics of 1950s Japanese society, focusing on marriage, sexuality, and social expectations. Through Yuichi's experiences in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships, the narrative explores the underground gay culture of Tokyo and the pressures of maintaining societal appearances. The story tracks multiple romantic and sexual entanglements, featuring characters who navigate between their public personas and private desires. Traditional Japanese customs clash with emerging Western influences as characters move through exclusive resorts, nightclubs, and conventional family homes. Mishima's novel stands as a critical examination of beauty, power, and manipulation in post-war Japanese society. The text presents challenging questions about the nature of desire and the cost of living authentically in a rigid social structure.

Readers describe the book as an unflinching examination of sexuality, manipulation, and power dynamics in post-war Japan. Many note the raw psychological insights and Mishima's ability to probe dark aspects of human nature. Readers appreciated: - Complex character studies, especially of Yuichi - Detailed portrayal of gay subculture in 1940s Tokyo - Sharp social commentary and observations - Beautiful prose translations by Alfred H. Marks Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Dated attitudes toward sexuality and gender - Some find the characters unlikeable - Dense writing style can be challenging Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (90+ ratings) "Brutal but brilliant character study" - Goodreads reviewer "The prose is gorgeous but the story left me cold" - Amazon reviewer "A fascinating time capsule of post-war Japanese attitudes" - LibraryThing review

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🔸 The title "Forbidden Colors" (禁色, Kinjiki) references both the traditional colors forbidden to commoners in ancient Japan and the hidden aspects of sexuality explored in the novel 🔸 The protagonist's complicated marriage arrangement mirrors Mishima's own life - he married Yoko Sugiyama in 1958 while privately struggling with his sexuality 🔸 The novel was initially serialized in the Japanese literary magazine "Shincho" between 1951 and 1952 before being published as a complete work in 1953 🔸 The book's portrayal of Tokyo's underground gay culture in the post-war period provides one of the earliest detailed literary accounts of LGBTQ+ life in modern Japan 🔸 Mishima wrote this psychologically complex work when he was only 26 years old, already having established himself as one of Japan's most important young writers