Killed By Roses from Barakei by Eikoh Hosoe
This image originates from a photographic book, Barakei or Ordeal by Roses by Eikoh Hosoe, modern Japanese photographer. The subject of this book, published in 1963, is a series of portraits of the famous author, Yukio Mishima, contemporary to Eikoh Hosoe. The imagery here depicts Yukio Mishima semi nude and seated in a position resembling that of meditation. He is placed in an ambiguous space creating a mystical and spiritual juxtaposition of the figure to the emptiness. Within the book we are led through various stages and portrayals of Yukio Mishima. This work was done somewhat in collaboration between the two artists. Yukio Mishima helped decide on titles for chapters, choosing Death as the last chapter. Only a few years after the publication of the book, Yukio Mishima committed suicide by seppeku. Though the realation is not certain it is said that this book held some preparation for MishimaÕs departure.