forbidden colours

Title : forbidden colours
Details : oil painting on box canvas [ready to hang], 254X305
Frame : unframed
Description: This one is based on a novel - 'Forbidden Colours' by Yukio Mishima, a most celebrated Japanese writer.

The novel is set in post-second-world-war Tokyo.
Seeking revenge on the women who betrayed him, Shunsuke, an aging misogynist, enlists the help of Yuichi, a young homosexual, whose experiences in the gay underworld vividly depict the corruption of postwar Tokyo.

The painting is my portrayal of Yuichi, his long-suffering wife [and many rejected male lovers], and a number of women whose advances Yuichi thwarts.To me, Yuichi has much in common with Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray - from their eternal youth to their utter selfish single-minded pursuit of personal hedonism to the exclusion of everything else.

Mishima stood for values I personally strongly disapprove of. He eulogised an Imperialist and militant Japan, and was a strong critique of 'dilution' of the traditional Japanese culture. At the same time, some critics detect a nihilistic agenda in his work. He was nominated 3 times for Nobel Prize.
He committed ritualistic suicide - seppuku [not hara-kiri] - at the age of 45 in 1970 in public. His suicide was also sensational.
The act was to end in his ritual decapitation by another colleague -Morita. Morita, who was rumored to have been Mishima's lover, was unable to perform the decapitation properly, and after several failed attempts, allowed another colleague - Koga, to finish the job. After Mishima was decapitated, Morita also committed seppuku and was beheaded by Koga.
 
 
Besides the comments below appreciation also comes from :
Atsushi Kuba, Japan; Meno, Russia, Aimee Kathleen, USA; Irene, France; Betty Crawford, Canada; Alan, UK; Ida, USA; Marcel, Poland
; Aerena K, Croatia; Simon H, USA
 
Forbidden Colours is a difficult read. Unfortunately I read it when I was much too young, but was interesting nonetheless. I remember vividly the description of Yuichi's wife giving birth, and Mishima's rather distinct dislike of the female sex.
Suiting that you give Yuichi such long, claw like hands. He was not an appealing person. I couldn't finish The Picture of Dorian Gray because it frightened me so. They are both so despicable.
Katharine Vingoe, Canada, Feb 06
Nice depiction, fascinating story. I really appreciate that you pay homage to what you value in other artists.
Sonja, USA, Dec 05
Beautiful and very expressive painting! Great inspirational subject
Anna Lo Bello, Italy, Dec 05
I can see your point in linking it to Dorian Gray ... a culture that does not except homosexuals, like during Dorian's time. The painting came out wonderful, man. Excellent work.
Adam Webb, USA, Dec 05
Interesting background to this painting, I mean the story of Mishima's death, so terrible, passionate and,....insensible in some way.....
At first I thought the title of this painting had something to do with the colors you used here, which I think are bright and beautiful!
Ana Maria Hidalgo, Chile, Dec 05
... clever.. to put the figure half into the floor. I like the use of color here...it gives a false sense of happiness. and that works as far as I can make out what the book is about.
R Cruz, USA, Dec 05