Yukio Mishima (1925-1970) was a Japanese author, poet, playwright, actor, and film director. He is considered one of the most important Japanese authors of the 20th century. Mishima wrote over thirty novels, as well as numerous short stories, plays, and essays. His works often explored themes of love, death, and the search for identity. Mishima was also a prominent figure in the Japanese nationalist movement, and his death by ritual suicide in 1970 shocked the world. His works remain widely read and studied today, and his legacy continues to influence Japanese culture.