Chao Sao

The novella "Chao Sao" was published in 1954 and won the 1st Xin Chao Society Literary Award. In 1952, after Yukio Mishima traveled around Europe and the United States, his experience in Greece made him feel that he should pay more attention to the external physicality, life, vitality and health than the inner spirituality. He came up with the idea of ​​writing a Japanese-style legendary love novel based on "Daphnis and Heroa", the most outstanding pastoral romantic love novel of Longos in ancient Greece, to praise simple and sincere love. This is how "Chao Sao" was born. The novel tells the story of Kasuga Beach, where 18-year-old fisherman Shinji meets Hatsue, a girl who has returned from other places, on a beautiful evening, and the two fall in love. Although the two did not cross the moral code, Chiyoko, who had always admired Shinji, became jealous. Yasuo, a young man from a wealthy family in the local area, tried his best to get Hatsue. Rumors spread. Hatsue's father became furious when he learned about it and forbade them to meet. Soon, Shinji saved Hatsue's father's ship in the rough waves. With his wisdom and bravery, he withstood the test, and finally the love between the two was recognized.