Silk and Insight (Studies of the Pacific Basin Institute)

While I had heard of Mishima for years, I had never actually sat down with one of his books. This book takes an intimate look at a silk production factory; in which the working conditions are so deplorable that the overworked employees finally go on strike. What makes this book so interesting is Mishima's ability to flesh out all his characters. He does not fall into the simplistic "worker=good/boss=bad" trap, Mishima enjoys creating morally ambiguous characters. First, Komazawa-san, the company president, appears to be very hard working and inspiring to his employees. However, as I read about the horrible working conditions within the company, I found myself rooting for Otsuki-san, the strike leader. As Mishima continues to dig deeper into his characters' psyches, revealing their ethical blindspots, I discovered that no one is completely good or evil. How the protesters conscript other workers to join the strike, and how Komazawa-san's deteriorating self image reveals his pitiful humanity, make for very compelling reading.The use of a strike situation is a wonderful crucible in which to combine all these differing emotions, motivations, and deceptions; resulting in characters on both sides of the picket line who are forever changed (scarred?) by the whole experience.You may not be able to look at silk the same way again.