Known for movies

Short Info

DiedNovember 25, 1970, Ichigaya, Tokyo
SpouseYoko Hiraoka
FactThe Japanese erotic artist Tsuyoshi Yoshida aka Go Mishima (1924 - 1988) allegedly took his artistic pseudonym from Yukio Mishima. The two were friends from 1955 until the writer's ritual suicide in 1970.


Yukio Mishima was a Japanese author, poet, and playwright who was considered one of the most important Japanese writers of the 20th century. He was born Kimitake Hiraoka on January 14, 1925, in the Tokyo district of Shibuya. His father was Azusa Hiraoka, a government official, and his mother, Shizue Hiraoka, was a homemaker. Mishima had an older sister, Noriko, and a younger brother, Chiyuki. Mishima’s childhood was largely happy and uneventful. He was a bright student and an avid reader, and he developed a lifelong love of the theater.

Mishima began writing fiction in his teens, and his first story was published when he was just 19 years old. He graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1947 with a degree in law. Mishima’s first novel, Confessions of a Mask, was published in 1949. The book was an instant success, and Mishima became a celebrity. He followed up with a string of critically acclaimed novels, including The Temple of the Golden Pavilion (1956), The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea (1963), and The Sea of Fertility (1965-1970).

In 1968, Mishima founded the Tatenokai (“Shield Society”), a private militia dedicated to the preservation of traditional Japanese values. On November 25, 1970, Mishima and four members of the Tatenokai staged a coup d’état at the Japan Self-Defense Forces headquarters in Tokyo. The group took hostages and demanded that the emperor rescind his order to allow Japanese troops to be sent to fight in Vietnam. When their demands were not met, Mishima committed seppuku (ritual suicide) and was beheaded by one of his followers. His death shocked and horrified the nation.

Mishima’s novels, plays, and essays continue to be widely read and studied. His work is noted for its beautiful prose, its psychological insight, and its examination of the contradictions between traditional Japanese values and Westernization. Mishima’s life and death are as famous as his work, and he remains one of the most enigmatic and controversial figures in Japanese history.

General Info

Full NameYukio Mishima
DiedNovember 25, 1970, Ichigaya, Tokyo
Height1.55 m
ProfessionAuthor, Poet, Novelist, Playwright, Critic, Essayist
EducationUniversity of Tokyo
NationalityJapanese

Family

SpouseYoko Hiraoka
ChildrenIichiro Hiraoka, Noriko Tomita
ParentsShizue Hiraoka, Azusa Hiraoka
SiblingsChiyuki Hiraoka, Mitsuko Hiraoka

Accomplishments

AwardsYomiuri Prize for Literature, Shinchosha Literary Prize
MoviesMishima: A Life in Four Chapters, Patriotism, Black Lizard, Afraid to Die, The School of Flesh, Conflagration, Hitokiri, Spring Snow, Black Rose Mansion, The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea, Temple of the Golden Pavillion, Ken

Social profile links

Quotes

#Quote
1[on Kon Ichikawa] One of Japan's greatest directors.

Facts

#Fact
1Before his first marriage in 1958, he was briefly engaged to Michiko Shoda, the future Empress Michiko.
2The Japanese erotic artist Tsuyoshi Yoshida aka Go Mishima (1924 - 1988) allegedly took his artistic pseudonym from Yukio Mishima. The two were friends from 1955 until the writer's ritual suicide in 1970.
3One motivation for Mishima's devotion to body-building was his self-consciousness about his height: 5'1". (1.55m). When arranging his marriage (which he did just to appease his traditionally-minded parents), he stipulated that his bride must not be interested in his work and must not be taller than him.
4His body of work includes 40 novels, 18 plays, 20 books of short stories, at least 20 books of essays and one libretto.
5He excelled in bodybuilding to the extent that he used to show off at his gym by lying on a weight-lifting bench and moving a coin up and down his abdomen without using his hands.

Movies

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Utsukushii hoshi2017based on the novel by completed
Rokumeikan2008TV Movie play
Haru no yuki2005novel
Sóhajok2005play
The School of Flesh1998novel
Markisinnan de Sade1992TV Movie play
Rokumeikan1986play
Shiosai1985novel
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters1985novels: "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion", "Kyoko's House" and "Runaway Horses - uncredited
A Marquesa de Sade1984TV Movie play
Kinkakuji1976novel "Temple of the Golden Pavilion"
The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea1976novel "Gogo no eiko"
Shiosai1975novel
Ongaku1972novel
Shiosai1971novel
Black Rose1969play
Kuro tokage1968stage adaptation
Ai no kawaki1966novel
Die hundertste Nacht1966TV Movie play
Patriotism1966Short
Teatterituokio1965TV Series play "Sotoba komachi" - 1 episode
Nikutai no gakko1965
Kemono no tawamure1964novel
Shiosai1964novel
Hanjo1964TV Movie play
Ken1964novel
Kurotokage1962stage adaptation
Ojôsan1961novel
Fudôtoku kyôiku kôza1959based on the book by
Enjô1958novel
Bitoku no yoromeki1957novel
Nagasugita haru1957novel
Shiosai1954novel

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Hitokiri1969Shinbei Tanaka
Kuro tokage1968Human statue
Patriotism1966ShortShinji Takeyama
Afraid to Die1960Takeo Asahina
Fudôtoku kyôiku kôza1959

Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Patriotism1966Short

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Patriotism1966Short producer

Production Designer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Patriotism1966Short

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Contrasts1968TV SeriesHimself
Doyô danwashitsu1964-1966TV SeriesHimself
Small World1960TV SeriesHimself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Nyûsu no shiten2012TV SeriesHimself
Kyôiku terebi no gyakushû: Yomigaeru kyoshô no kotoba2009TV MovieHimself
Memories of 1970-19911991TV Series documentaryHimself
The Rock 'n' Roll Years1986TV SeriesHimself
Arena1985TV Series documentaryHimself

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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