Editor’s spotlight — updated daily
Yukio Mishima
Japan
In 1970, Yukio Mishima died by ritual suicide at age 45 after a failed coup attempt to restore imperial power. He was a novelist, playwright, and actor who wrote over 40 novels, including the autobiographical Confessions of a Mask, which explored his homosexuality and nationalism. Mishima also founded the Shield Society, a private militia dedicated to samurai ideals.