Yukio Mishima

Date of Birth: January 14, 1925

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: November 25, 1970

Biography

Yukio Mishima, born Kimitake Hiraoka, was a prolific Japanese author, playwright, actor, and nationalist. He was born on January 14, 1925, in Tokyo, Japan. Mishima is widely regarded as one of the most important Japanese authors of the 20th century. His work is characterized by its exploration of the tension between traditional Japanese values and the encroaching Western influence. Mishima wrote novels, short stories, and plays, with some of his most famous works including “Confessions of a Mask,” “The Temple of the Golden Pavilion,” and “The Sea of Fertility” tetralogy. Mishima’s life was as dramatic as his work. He was an enigmatic figure who combined a fascination with samurai ethics and aesthetics with modern existentialist themes. He founded the Tatenokai (Shield Society), a private militia dedicated to traditional Japanese values. On November 25, 1970, Mishima led an attempted coup at the Japan Self-Defense Forces headquarters in Tokyo, hoping to inspire a revival of the samurai spirit. When the coup failed, he committed seppuku, a form of ritual suicide.

5 Interesting Facts about Yukio Mishima

1. Yukio Mishima was nominated three times for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

2. He was also a bodybuilder and posed for several photographs showing off his physique.

3. Mishima starred in the 1966 film “Yukoku” (Patriotism), which he also wrote and directed.

4. His novel “The Temple of the Golden Pavilion” is based on the real-life burning of the Kinkaku-ji temple in Kyoto.

5. Mishima’s attempted coup and subsequent suicide were meticulously planned and executed, reflecting his deep commitment to his ideals.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Yukio Mishima

1. “True beauty is something that attacks, overpowers, robs, and finally destroys.”

2. “Perfect purity is possible if you turn your life into a line of poetry written with a splash of blood.”

3. “We are born in a time when only the dull are taken seriously.”

4. “The highest point at which human life and art meet is in the act of suicide.”

5. “What transforms this world is—knowledge. Do you see what I mean? Nothing else can change anything in this world.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Mishima’s highest net worth is not precisely documented, but it is estimated that he amassed moderate wealth through his prolific writing career, film roles, and various other endeavors.