Yukio Mishima: the story on HearLore

Secret Manuscripts And The Pen Name

Mishima began writing his first stories at age twelve using inspiration from myths like the Kojiki and Greek mythology. He studied German and read works by European authors such as Raymond Radiguet and Jean Cocteau. At sixteen he wrote a short story titled Snow Country which described ancestors living within him. A teacher named Fumio Shimizu found the manuscript so impressive that he published it in their literary magazine Bungei Bunka. To protect the young writer from his father Azusa, Shimizu and board member Hasuda Zenmei coined the pen name Yukio Mishima. They derived the surname from Mishima Station and the given name from the snow they saw on Mount Fuji. The story appeared as a limited book edition of 4,000 copies in 1944 due to wartime paper shortages. Mishima intended this publication as a keepsake because he assumed he would die in the war. His mentor Hasuda offered parting words stating he had entrusted the future of Japan to the boy.

When and where was Yukio Mishima born?

Yukio Mishima was born on the 14th of January 1925 in Nagazumi-cho, Yotsuya-ku of Tokyo City. His birth name was Kimitake Hiraoka.

How did Yukio Mishima get his pen name?

His teacher Fumio Shimizu and board member Hasuda Zenmei coined the name Yukio Mishima to protect him from his father Azusa. They derived the surname from Mishima Station and the given name from the snow they saw on Mount Fuji.

What physical training did Yukio Mishima pursue later in life?

Mishima took up weight training in 1955 and maintained a regimen of three sessions per week for fifteen years. He achieved a 5th Dan rank in kendo and a 2nd Dan in battōjutsu.

Why did Yukio Mishima commit seppuku on the 25th of November 1970?

He committed ritual suicide after a failed coup d'état at a military base in central Tokyo where he had taken Lieutenant General Masakatsu Morita hostage. The attempt aimed to restore direct rule to the emperor but ended when he retreated into the office to die.

Where is Yukio Mishima buried and what memorial events occur annually?

Yukio Mishima was buried at Tama Cemetery on what would have been his 46th birthday with an inscription reading Grave of Hiraoka family. An annual memorial service called Mishima Day occurs every year on the 25th of November by former members of the Tatenokai.

Yukio Mishima.

Secret Manuscripts And The Pen Name

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Common questions

When and where was Yukio Mishima born?

How did Yukio Mishima get his pen name?

What physical training did Yukio Mishima pursue later in life?

Why did Yukio Mishima commit seppuku on the 25th of November 1970?

Where is Yukio Mishima buried and what memorial events occur annually?

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The Shadow Of The Constitution

The Balcony And The Sword

The Grave And The Legacy