Yukio Mishima. 
 
New York: Knopf, 1956. Small octavo. Green and purple paper covered boards with rubbing to the ends of the spine and bottom edges of the boards. Previous owner's bookplate and inscription to the first free end paper. Unclipped jacket has rubbing to the ends of the spine and the top edge of the front flap. First edition. Near fine. 
 
“The surface of the sea in the lee of the island was black, but the offing was stained with dawn. The mountains enclosing the Gulf of Ise could be seen clearly. In the pale light of daybreak the gravestones looked like so many white sails of boats anchored in a busy harbor. They were sails that would never again be filled with wind, sails that, too long unused and heavily drooping, had been turned into stone just as they were.”