momoko had a mature look, and yet there could be no doubt that all these details were of her own choosing. the cool pallor, somewhat blanched, was in keeping with old-fashioned features not too deeply carved. the solitary earnestness made her the only object at odds with the beguiling charm. her beauty was too formally perfect; and as in the formal perfection of a paper crane it had in it something ominous.

passage from "the decay of the angel" by yukio mishima image by mrs huizenga