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New York’s Japan Society Mishima revival series showcases writer’s ‘cute’ side

Updated Sep 2, 2025, 12:20pm EDT
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Japanese author Yukio Mishima speaking before Japanese Self-Defense Force soldiers at Tokyo’s military garrison station.
Yukio Mishima, 1970. Jiji Press/AFP via Getty Images

New York’s Japan Society is re-staging a series of plays by Yukio Mishima this autumn for the late writer’s 100th birthday.

Though discussion of his legacy is often dominated by the manner of his death — Mishima died by seppuku, or ritual suicide by samurai sword, after leading a failed 1970 coup d’état — the Japan Society’s treatment of his works in Emergences is “surprisingly light and dancing,” The New York Times wrote.

In particular, the Society’s version of Seven Bridges — Mishima’s playful retelling of a Japanese tale about death — features Daft Punk, colorful lights, and a singing Moon.

Mishima might be mad at me for saying so,” the choreographer told the Times, “but this story shows his cute side.”

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