Customs and beliefs are what constitutes tradition, and tradition is how one lives their life. In the novel The Sound of Waves, Yukio Mishima presents his own vision of Japanese traditionalism. Throughout this novel, it is shown that Yukio Mishima believed that Japanese tradition consisted of an organized social class, the Bushido code, and pursuing what was truly believed to be theirs. Mishima illustrated these personal views of Japanese traditionalism through the actions of Shinji. First of all, Mishima illustrated the importance of social class in the lives of the Japanese people and Japan in general. For example, Shinji said, “It's because I'm poor (113). » Social ranks played a huge role in Japan. When someone is born, he is born into his family, whether he is rich or poor. At first, Terukichi does not allow Hatsue to date Shinji due to their different social classes. Shinji knew that it was because of his low rank that he could not marry Hatuse, but in the end Terukici allowed Hatsue and Shinji to marry. This shows that Mishima believed that Japanese social class tradition can be broken if it is true love that brings two people together. Another example where social class became a conflict was when Yasuo assumed that he would marry Hatsue and become Terukichi's new son. This hypothesis of Yasuo shows that in tradition, it is known that a person of a certain level in the social class marries another person of the same level. Since Hatsue and Yasuo come from the same social class, Yasuo thought they would get married. Terukichi thought that too, but once he realized how hard Shinji worked, he knew Shinji would be a good... middle of paper ... he pursued her. This action by Shinji made it seem like Mishima's beliefs were about seeking something or someone that one desires to obtain. This is the major difference between Shinji and the narrator of Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. Throughout the novel The Sound of the Waves, Mishima illustrates his views on Japanese social class, the Bushido code, and following what one believes. He illustrates this through Shinji's actions. Tradition plays a huge role in Japan and revolves around the lives of Japanese people. Although tradition is a belief or custom that has continued for generations, it can be broken if one truly believes that something or someone is the best thing for oneself. The world is made up of many traditions from different cultures, and each person's tradition is usually manifested through their actions..