Runaway Horses

Set in the turbulent Japan of the 1930s, "Runaway Horses" delves into the fervent ultranationalist ideology through the eyes of Isao Iinuma, a brilliant and fiercely idealistic young man. Disillusioned by the perceived corruption and moral decay of modern society, Isao becomes deeply committed to a romanticized vision of imperial Japan, where purity, honor, and self-sacrifice—rooted in the samurai code of Bushido—reign supreme. He leads a secret society of young patriots who plot a coup d'état, believing that only through decisive, violent action can Japan be purged and restored to its spiritual essence. The novel intricately explores the psychology of fanaticism, the intoxicating allure of a lost ideal, and the tragic consequences of unwavering conviction. As Isao grapples with his destiny and the radical path he has chosen, Mishima offers a chilling and profound examination of the clash between tradition and modernity, and the dangerous beauty of extremism in the face of perceived national decline. It is the second volume in Mishima's acclaimed "The Sea of Fertility" tetralogy.