Mishima places emphasis on the descriptions of Yasuo’s “fat” body and “crafty” eyebrows. The negative lexical field creates a rather grotesque image, and there is a hint of mockery by the author. He had also “inherited a red complexion from his tippling father”. The color of his complexion – red, often has connotations and associations with danger, and the diction “tippling” relates to alcohol and the negative influences from the mainland and Western cultures. Another great comparison is made with Shinji’s sunburnt skin, and exceedingly dark but clear eyes, highlighting Shinji’s purity. Yasuo also spoke “glibly, with no trace of local dialect”, indicating that he has no pride in his roots and attempts to reject them. Through descriptions of Yasuo’s appearance and behavior, Mishima criticizes how influences from the West have corrupted the traditional aspects of Japan.
Mishima believes that the reason behind Yasuo’s undisciplined and unsympathetic disposition can be linked to the negative influences from the modernity of cities such as Tokyo where Yasuo frequented. Yasuo took pride in showing off various goods that he had acquired from the city - his “leather jacket which listened under the sun” and the “luminous watch”. All these shining goods reflect and emphasize Yasuo’s feelings of pride when he flaunts these to others. Once again, Yasuo is juxtaposed with Shinji, who wears old fishing clothing inherited from his father. Shiniji also has the ability to tell the time just by taking a glance at the stars. This demonstrates his close connections and “consummate accord” to the sea and nature, whilst Yasuo only becomes more detached from the island. His materialistic desires for extravagant goods from the mainland represent novelty, vulgarity and consumerism, which distract him from the traditional values and virtues that Mishima believes to be the most important in a person.
There were other negative influences from the city. Yasuo was “hopelessly addicted to pulp magazines, which came from the city, with their frequent confessions of girls who had been seduced.” He had also “very much wanted to drop hint about how he had slipped off and bought himself a piece of last night…”. Yasuo’s mind has been corrupted by the unhealthy and inappropriate content of the pulp magazines, which contrasts with Shinji’s pure and innocent mind, who related Hatsue’s moving breasts to the opulent waves of the sea. The stories from the magazines later prompted Yasuo’s attempt to rape Hatsue, demonstrating his lack of self-control, and the extent to which modern city influences have tainted his thoughts. Yasuo’s objectionable behavior would not have been accepted in a conservative setting like Uta-jima. Through examples of Yasuo’s corrupted mind by the city, Mishima expresses his detest towards the influence of modern Japan and its westernized society which leads to the loss of closeness to nature, and therefore the loss of purity and morals.
Mishima makes his final criticism when he writes about the incidents that occur on the ship. Aboard Terukichi’s vessel, Yasuo’s natural laziness and apathy revealed themselves. “It gradually became clear to the crew that Yasuo was lazy. His attitude was that it was enough just to go through the motions of performing his duties.” Again, his attitude is contrasted with the diligent Shinji, who would attempt to cover up Yasuo’s laziness. When the storm struck the ship, it was Shinji who prove to be courageous, whilst Yasuo appeared to be a coward who was too afraid to swim out with a rope to attach the ship to the buoy. Here, Yasuo is fulfills his duty as a foil character when he is used to emphasize Shinji’s bravery. Mishima highlights his preference for Shinji who performs traditional work of hard labour and demonstrates intrepidity, the role model for the traditional values and ways of living in a traditional society.
Mishima utilizes Yasuo as a medium through which he criticizes the negative influences from the West and modern Japan. He expresses his admiration for traditional society, and shuns the materialistic world which has corrupted the traditional aspects of Japan that he values and treasures. He implies that the traditional ways of living with nature create a healthy personality which brings satisfaction in life, unlike those who will never enjoy true happiness due to their detachment from nature and the traditional world.