Yukio Mishima was a prominent Japanese author, playwright, and nationalist, born on January 14, 1925. He is best known for his novels, such as The Temple of the Golden Pavilion and Confessions of a Mask, which explore themes of beauty, identity, and existentialism. Mishima was also a controversial figure due to his extreme views on Japanese culture and militarism. In addition to his literary work, Mishima was a public figure who engaged in political activism. He founded the Tatenokai, a private militia aimed at promoting traditional Japanese values. His life ended dramatically on November 25, 1970, when he committed ritual suicide, known as seppuku, after a failed coup attempt to restore the emperor's power.