16Shinji could now visit the Miyata house openly. One night after returningfrom fishing he called Hatsue’s name from the front door. He was wearingfreshly laundered trousers and a clean white sport shirt, and from each handthere dangled a big red-snapper.Hatsue was ready and waiting. They had made a date to go to YashiroShrine and the lighthouse to announce their engagement and express theirthanks.The dusk in the earthen-floored room became lighter when Hatsue entered.She was wearing the light summer kimono with large-patterned morning glorieson a white background that she had bought on that occasion from thepeddler, and its whiteness was brilliant even at night.Shinji had been leaning against the door waiting, butwhen Hatsue came outhe suddenly looked down, waved one clog-shod foot as though to drive awayinsects, and mumbled:“The mosquitoes are terrible.”“Aren’t they though?”ExtractThey went up the stone stairs leading to Yashiro Shrine. They could easily
have run up them at a single breath, but instead, their hearts filled tooverflowing with contentment, they ascended slowly, as though savoring thepleasure of each separate step. When they reached the hundredth step, theypaused as though reluctant to end this happy climb by going on to the top. Theboy wanted to hold her hand, but the red-snappers prevented him.Nature too again smiled on them. When they reached the top they turnedaround and looked out over the Gulf of Ise. The night sky was filled with starsand, as for clouds, there was only a low bank stretching across the horizon inthe direction of the Chita Peninsula, through which soundless lightning ran fromtime to time. Nor was the sound of the waves strong, but coming regularly andpeacefully, as though the sea were breathing in healthy slumber.Passing through the pine grove, they reached the unpretentious shrine andstopped to worship. The boy was filledwith pride by the loud and clear soundhis formal handclap made, ringing out far and wide. So he clapped his handsagain.Hatsue had bowed her head and was praying. Against the white background of her kimono collar, the nape of her suntanned neck did notlook particularly white, and yet it charmed Shinji more than the whitest of white necks could have done.In his heart the boy reminded himself again of his happiness—the gods had indeed given him everything he had prayed for.They prayed for a long while. And, in the very fact of their never once having doubted the providence of the gods, they could feel that providence around them.The shrine office was brightly lit. Shinji called out and the priest came to the window.Shinji’s words were rather vague, and for a while the priest could make neither head nor tail of what the two had come about. But at last he understood, and Shinji presented him with one of the red-snappers as their offering to the gods. Receiving this splendid gift from the sea, the priest was reminded that presently he would be officiating at their wedding rites. He congratulated them heartily.Climbing the path through the pine grove behind the shrine, they again savored the night’s coolness. Though the sun was completely set, the cicadas were still singing. The path leading up to the lighthouse was steep. One of his hands was now free, so Shinji held the girl’s hand.How does Mishima make this ending so memorable? / How does Mishima make you feel about Hatsue and Shinji?Intro: ending, after Terukichi has given his blessing to Shinji and Hatsue to marry. The couple pay their respects at the shrine.Para 1: scene opens with the thoughts and feelings of Shinji and Hatsue. Rewarded for being virtuous.Para 2: focus switches to nature’s blessing of the marriage.