This novel was inspired by the destruction by burning of the famous Golden Pavilion, in Kyoto in 1950 (subsequently completely rebuilt). I visited it in 1947 and was sad to learn of its destruction by a young Zen Buddhist acolyte. It is a tale of the destructive quality of primitive envy and provides food for thought for the thoughtful (bwl) reader. Perhaps I should mention that Yukio Mishima finally committed ritual hara-kiri. More food for thought!
(Murray Jackson - bwl 7 February 2001 ) |
