Beautiful Star (novel)
A 1962 sci-fi novel about a family of extraterrestrials saving Earth.
Beautiful Star (Japanese: 美しい星, romanized: Utsukushii Hoshi) is a 1962 science fiction novel by Japanese author Yukio Mishima. It centers on the Ōsugi family, who live in Hannō and initially believe themselves to be ordinary. After each member witnesses a UFO, they recall their origins on other planets and dedicate themselves to saving Earth, which they call the "beautiful star," from destruction. Their efforts include writing to Khrushchev, traveling across Japan to advocate for world peace, and founding the Universal Friendship Association. This draws attention from both other extraterrestrials on Earth—including Haguro, Kurita, and Sone, who want humanity wiped out—and from the police, who suspect the family of communist ties. Takemiya Kaoru, a Venusian, falls in love with the daughter Akiko.
Akiko becomes pregnant, claiming the conception is immaculate and that she had no sexual relationship with Takemiya. Jūichirō, the father, seeks out Takemiya and discovers he is a conman and womanizer, likely a human rather than an extraterrestrial. When Akiko asks what happened, Jūichirō lies, saying Takemiya returned to Venus. Meanwhile, Kazuo, the son with political ambitions, allies with Haguro and his associates, who are connected to the politician Kuroki. In exchange for political power, Kazuo reveals his father’s alien origins. Haguro and his group confront Jūichirō, arguing for humanity’s extermination, while Jūichirō argues for its salvation.
After the confrontation, Jūichirō falls ill and is diagnosed with stomach cancer. Kazuo learns this and tells Akiko, asking her not to inform their father. In a later confrontation, Jūichirō confesses his lie about Takemiya, and Akiko retaliates by revealing his cancer. Jūichirō then decides it is time for the family to leave Earth, and the novel ends with them watching flying saucers together.
The father, Jūichirō, is from Mars, mild-mannered and artistic. The mother, Iyoko, is from Jupiter. Kazuo, from Mercury, is politically ambitious. Akiko, from Venus, possesses an otherworldly beauty that makes her vain and cold toward anything she does not consider beautiful. Takemiya Kaoru, who claims to be Venusian, is quiet, reserved, and enjoys Noh chanting; he and Akiko observe flying saucers and fall in love.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Yukio Mishima
- Orig Lang Code
- ja
- Translator
- Stephen Dodd
- Genre
- science fiction
- Publisher
- Shinchosha (Japanese original)
- Pub Date
- 1962
- English Pub Date
- 2022
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Ōsugi family of Hannō – Jūichirō, his wife Iyoko, and children Kazuo and Akiko — believe themselves to be ordinary, until each member witnesses a UFO flying by and recalls their existence on another planet. Together, they have made it their mission to save Earth, the 'beautiful star', from annihilation. They write letters to Khrushchev, tour across Japan to speak about world peace and establish an organization, the Universal Friendship Association, which attracts attention from both other extraterrestrials on Earth and from the police, who suspect that the family is secretly communist. Among those extraterrestrials are Haguro, Kurita, and Sone, who seek the destruction of humanity, and Takemiya Kaoru, a Venusian who falls in love with Akiko.
Akiko falls pregnant, but claims that she was never sexually involved with Takemiya and that the conception is immaculate. Jūichirō goes to look for Takemiya, and learns that he is a conman and womanizer, and possibly not Venusian at all, but a simple human. In response to Akiko's question about what happened to Takemiya, he lies and tells her that Takemiya went back to Venus. Kazuo, who has political ambitions, makes the acquaintance of Haguro and his friends, who are colleagues of the politician Kuroki. He reveals his father's origins in exchange for political power. The three find the Osugi home in order to speak with Juichiro. Haguro argues for the extermination of humankind; Jūichirō argues for the salvation of humankind.
Jūichirō, after the conversation, feels ill and goes to the hospital. Kazuo is informed that his father is dying of stomach cancer. He tells Akiko, but asks her not to tell their father. In a confrontation, Jūichirō confesses that he had lied to Akiko and Takemiya was just an earthling; in response, Akiko informs her father that he is dying from stomach cancer. He decides that it is their time to leave Earth; the novel ends with the family observing flying saucers together.
Reader's Guide
Although Mishima believed that Beautiful Star was the best work of his career, the novel received a lukewarm reception in Japan. About 20 thousand copies were sold. Donald Keene rejected Mishima's request to translate it into English. Bryan Karetnyk for the Financial Times praised the humour, pacing, and 'scenes of intense beauty' of the novel and Dodd's translation; he commented 'Mishima blends the sublime with the ridiculous in provocative and surprising ways'. Lesley Downer for The Times Literary Supplement praised Mishima's humour, style and wit. Alexander Lee of The Critic gave a mixed review, commenting that Beautiful Star seemed 'little more than a stilted piece of science fiction...pretty humdrum stuff' and called the characters 'tweedy' and the dialogue 'leaden'; however, he called the novel 'poignant' and praised Dodd's translation. Lisa Tuttle, writing for The Guardian, called the novel 'strange and rather awkward'. The novel was adapted into the 2017 film A Beautiful Star starring Lily Franky, Tomoko Nakajima, Kazuya Kamenashi, and Ai Hashimoto.
Did You Know?
- Donald Keene rejected Mishima's request to translate the novel into English.
- The novel was adapted into a 2017 film titled A Beautiful Star.
- About 20 thousand copies of the novel were sold in Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Beautiful Star (novel)?
Beautiful Star is a 1962 Japanese science fiction novel by Yukio Mishima. It follows the Ōsugi family in Hannō who, after each member witnesses a UFO, remember they are extraterrestrials and set out to protect Earth from catastrophe.
Who wrote Beautiful Star and when was it published?
The novel was authored by Yukio Mishima, the celebrated Japanese writer, and released in 1962 under the original title Utsukushii Hoshi. It is firmly categorized as science fiction.
What happens in the plot of Beautiful Star?
After the UFO sighting unlocks their true memories, the Ōsugi members dedicate themselves to saving the planet they call the 'beautiful star.' Their peace campaign includes writing to Khrushchev, touring Japan to advocate for world unity, and founding the Universal Friendship Association.
Was Beautiful Star adapted into a film?
Yes, Mishima's novel received a screen adaptation, which is why it is listed in this encyclopedia of sci-fi books that crossed into cinema. The story's blend of a quiet domestic household with galactic stakes gives the film a distinctive emotional texture.
Why is Beautiful Star considered notable in science fiction?
The novel reframes Cold War nuclear anxieties through the intimate perspective of a single Japanese family rather than through military or political protagonists. Mishima's literary voice turns a straightforward alien-origins premise into a meditation on duty, identity, and the fragility of civilization.
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