A book with a razor sharp edge! - Rated 
A writer who is not afraid to tell it like it is in a politically correct age; fantastically interesting. Don't let any of the more ponderous reviews put you off. This is a brave and rare book by a genuinely experienced man. I won't spoil it by giving anything away, but there are lessons here for the Japanese and vicariously for us in the West. One of the best, most interesting and most human cultural studies I have ever read.
A bizarre autobiography of an avowed orientalist - Rated 
I'll be pithy like the other reviews. If you really like MMA, cheap samurai swords, and wandering around in a hoodie imagining yourself a ninja . . . you'll find good company here. Ross returns to the condescending nugget dropping that make 'Tunnel Vision' a pop favorite with the post-Oxford elite . . . well, to the point: in the opening, Ross stands, fondling his samurai sword (iaito), fancying his superiority as BUDÔKA to some poor chav doing aerobics.
The concluding scene is Ross, bathed in a multi-rayed Rising Sun, proclaiming his enlightenment, having achieved satori, and no longer fearing death.
In between, a reasonably well-written travelogue which shows off Ross swordmaking knowledge, some pedestrian views of 'Old Japan', some cheezy comedy scene in an SM club . . . Ross is only an 'observer' and isn't getting off in any way, of course . . . and more quotes from Zen masters . . . and some description of Ross getting a 'nose tampon . . . and then some information on how to cut your slave in half to test the metal of a blade.
This book is about Ross, a pudgy guy looking to beat back the bullies of the past by taking on the persona of the samurai. In this regard, it's a BRILLIANT satire of how martial arts enable a kind of exotic fantasy for imaginary self-empowerment. Well, some people like arranging flowers . . . Ross likes to learn how to kill 'with one spectacular slice'. The back cover portrait -- Ross waving his sword -- puts Freud into a whole new framework.
But amongst all the 'bow to your sensei!' propaganda, some real zingers in here:
* Ross gets a PHANTOM PAIN because of his spiritual elevation -- he, pathologically, takes on Mishima's wound!
* Japan needs to return to its life/death non-duality and the Zen ideal of warrior purity.
= Uh, see Brian Victoria's book _Zen and War_ to see how this macho bravissimo, robed up like a monk, inspired the imperial war machine.
* Ross shops for Nazi uniforms and how-to manuals on bombs.
Of course, his interest in neo-fascism is only from a journalist's perspective. He doesn't really endorse the Mishamian code, he only roleplays it . . .
Oh, and Mishima? Hardly a word about his novels in here.
If you liked 'Ghost Dog' and keep a copy of the Hagakure under your pillow -- you will very much identify with the kind of self-absorbed preaching in this work, the worship of anachronism, the idealisation of a myth that got Japan into a lot of trouble. That's why books like this keep getting written in English. Ross, who mentions repeatedly his fluency in Japanese, wouldn't dare try pushing off these imagined constructs to his beloved 'Land of the Rising Sword'.
This author understands Mishima and Japanese culture - Rated
I was not going to review this book as there seemed to be enough positive comments to make my opinion unnecessary. However, I noticed that the last reviewer lives in Sendai, although he is not Japanese. I am Japanese and majored in twentieth century Japanese literature. I have read everything Mishima Yukio Sensei's published and for a period of several years was obsessed by his work. Christopher Ross displays a deep understanding of Mishima Sensei and Japanese culture in general. To say that this is superficial or introductory is ridiculous. Am I the only reader to notice the structure is based on kire tsuzuki, a Japanese aesthetic concept? If I was obliged to criticize the book I would say that many ordinary readers might not be able to grasp this distilled account of Mishima Sensei's ideas and works. I doubt if those educated in the West, with a stress on linear development and logical progression, can appreciate why this is a genuine and real book. I deeply admire this work and recommend it without reservation.
Nan desu ka? - Rated
That's Japanese for 'what is it?' which is my response to this odd, sometimes entertaining, sometimes informative book. It isn't quite a biography of Mishima, it certainly isn't an analysis of his writing, it isn't an analysis of his character, and yet it isn't really a travelogue of a man trying to find Mishima's sword. It is at least as much about Ross himself as Mishima, and Ross spends a lot of pages talking about martial arts (both Mishima and Ross's interest) and swords (Ross's, not Mishima's). Even as a book about Japanese culture the central focus of Mishima limits it too much to be particularly insightful. In my opinion, Ross is at his strongest when he tells amusing tales of transexual martial arts teachers, visits by the Yakuza and accidentally finding himself in a kabukicho bondage club, but his sense of humour is very rarely displayed in the book, which is a shame. The philosophising and constant quotations from worthies like Nietzsche and Bernard Shaw begins to grate after a while. I think, overall, if you are well-read in Mishima or Japanese culture, the book will be too general. But if you want a general introduction to Mishima, swords, martial arts and one or two aspects of Japanese culture, it is worth a read. File under 'Odd, worth a look'.
Page-turner - Rated
I'd read Christopher Ross's first book, Tunnel Visions, about his philosophical adventures working on the London Underground, and had thoroughly enjoyed it. So I was thrilled when I saw he'd brought out another book. I didn't really know much about Mishima, but was intrigued to find out about such a fascinating and contradictory man. Ross's style, as ever, is punchy and risky, and I particularly like the way he moves around his subject matter in an almost erratic way, laying down pieces of a puzzle until you see the whole picture in front of you. Great stuff. Looking forward to reading more of his books.
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