Misplaced+Love


 * The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea**- **Misplaced Love**

In Yukio Mishima’s novel __The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea__ which was translated by John Nathan, Fusako and Ryuji have contrasting intentions as they fall in love. However Nathan adds creases and faults to their love by illustrating their thoughts and desire to give the reader feeling that their love is tainted. Fusako’s need for a man in her life propels her to become connected to Ryuji for security and stability for her household and business. Ryuji has become tired of his years as a sailor at sea, follows Fusako seeking comfort and tranquility on land. Although he cannot truly escape his deep desire to be out at sea.

Fusako loves Ryuji out of her desire that he might secure a peaceful and prosperous future for her son and her business. Since her husband’s death Fusako was, “angry”, “at the wholesome household she kept”, for Noburo and herself. (125) Nathan’s use of the word wholesome is ironic because Fusako’s household is incomplete without a strong fatherly figure. Her anger towards the incomplete house emphasizes her need for Ryuji to come into her life to create a complete and happy family. Furthermore to ensure that Ryuji will fulfill her dream Fusako pays 30 thousand yen for an investigation into Ryuji’s past to make sure he will be a trustworthy and reliable husband. Fusako’s insecurity undermines the reader’s ability to believe that their love is true. By ignoring the principle aspects of love; communication and trust, Fusako is spying on Ryuji to ensure that he will be a secure investment for herself and Noboru. This is hardly the foundation of a strong and trusting relationship.

Ryuji’s love for Fusako is mixed with emotions and feelings for the sea. As the novel progresses Ryuji becomes, “tired to death of the squalor and boredom of a sailor’s life”, after more then 20 years out at sea fatigue is setting in for Ryuji. (111) Nathan portrays Ryuji as a, “man locked up in a steel ship all the time, the sea is too much like a woman”.(41) The association between the sea and a woman made it easy for Ryuji to transition out of his boredom and discontent for the ocean to the love of a woman. Ryuji’s need to settle down and find comfort in Fusako is further emphasized as Ryuji upon returning from his long voyage, “[hurtles] into the car like a piece of bulky rain soaked baggage”. (96) The metaphor comparing Ryuji to a rain soaked, heavy, bulky bag implies that Ryuji has gone through a great deal emotionally and physically. His entrance into a dry, warm car is of course represents relief and hope after months at sea. However Ryuji is unable to sustain the relationship as he recovers from his voyage and, “the distant influence of the sea was at work on him again.”(156) Ryuji’s inability to escape the influence of the sea highlights the realization that he will never be able to sustain a relationship with Fusako if the ocean is constantly calling. The emotions that Ryuji has for the sea prevent him from fulfilling a meaningful relationship with anyone on land including Fusako.

Word count: 528 Bibliography Mishima, Yukio. __The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea__. Trans. John Nathan. New York: Vintage Books, 1965.

Past History:  Romanticism and realism