The Temple of Dawn

The Temple of Dawn by Yukio Mishima is the third novel in his Sea of Fertility tetralogy, a profound exploration of reincarnation, spirituality, and the decline of modern Japan. The story follows Shigekuni Honda, now a middle-aged lawyer, as he journeys to Thailand and later encounters Ying Chan, a young Thai princess whom he believes to be the reincarnation of his late friend Kiyoaki Matsugae. As Honda delves deeper into Buddhist philosophy and questions of fate, the novel weaves themes of obsession, impermanence, and existential despair, reflecting Mishima's hauntingly beautiful prose and philosophical depth.