Forbidden Colors
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1968. 1st US Edition. Octavo, publisher's green cloth covered boards, spine stamped in teal and gilt, boards gilt, top edge stained yellow, original illustrated dust jacket.
“Beauty is something that burns the hand when you touch it.” First US edition of prominent Japanese postwar writer, actor, model, film director, and nationalist (he was deemed "Japan's Renaissance man" for a reason) Mishima's early classic. Written when he was only 26 years old, the vaguely autobiographical novel revolves around an aging gay writer who obsessively attempts to buy the affection of a naive young man. The original Japanese title, Kinjiki, refers to colors that people of various ranks were forbidden to wear in Japanese court, but also can mean "erotic love." Translated by prominent translator of Japanese literature Alfred H. Marks. Dust jacket design by Joseph del Guadio. Unclipped dust jacket with some water rings and waviness, small stain to verso, light edgewear. Very good. Item #7322
$135.00