This book appealed to me at first because of its Japanese cultural content, but also because I'm a writer myself, and similar to the style of Yukio Mishima, I use my writing to explore the world around me. Not only does Ross give a beautiful description of the Japanese traditions involved in writing and bushido, but also the acute retellings of amazing psychology behind this legendary writer through which I found shades of myself. It was a wonderful eye-opening experience to read this book!