Masakatsu Morita
Encyclopedia
was the Tatenokai
member who attempted to commit seppuku
with Yukio Mishima
at the Ichigaya
Camp.
He was the youngest child of a headmaster. Losing both parents at the age of two, he was cared for by his brother Osamu and educated at a Catholic school. He entered Waseda University
in 1966 but was dismayed by the presence of the Zengakuren
and became heavily involved in the small right-wing faction at the university. He came into Mishima's orbit in 1967, and joined the Tatenokai
at its establishment the next year.
Mishima approached several members one at a time in April and May 1970. The inner circle then consisted of Mishima, Morita, Ogawa and "Chibi" Koga. No clear plan was developed until late June. Shortly afterwards he went on holiday to Shimoda
and paid for the others to go to Hokkaidō
, where they recruited "Furu" Koga
, whom Mishima met on 9 September in Tokyo
.
All four followers were expecting to commit suicide, and were indignant when, in November, Mishima ruled that only he and Morita were to die. On the 21st and 22nd, supplies were bought, and Morita asked "Furu" Koga to stand in for him if he should fail to behead Mishima properly. The next two days were spent in rehearsal. In the end, Koga beheaded both Mishima and Morita.
Tatenokai
The Tatenokai or Shield Society was a private militia in Japan dedicated to traditional Japanese values and veneration of the Emperor. It was founded and led by the author Yukio Mishima....
member who attempted to commit seppuku
Seppuku
is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. Seppuku was originally reserved only for samurai. Part of the samurai bushido honor code, seppuku was either used voluntarily by samurai to die with honor rather than fall into the hands of their enemies , or as a form of capital punishment...
with Yukio Mishima
Yukio Mishima
was the pen name of , a Japanese author, poet, playwright, actor and film director, also remembered for his ritual suicide by seppuku after a failed coup d'état...
at the Ichigaya
Ichigaya
Ichigaya is an area in the eastern portion of Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.-Places in Ichigaya:*Hosei University Ichigaya Campus*Chuo University Graduate School...
Camp.
He was the youngest child of a headmaster. Losing both parents at the age of two, he was cared for by his brother Osamu and educated at a Catholic school. He entered Waseda University
Waseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
in 1966 but was dismayed by the presence of the Zengakuren
Zengakuren
Founded in 1948, Zengakuren is a communist / anarchist league of students in Japan. The word is an abridgement of which literally means “All-Japan League of Student Self-Government.” Notable for organizing protests and marches, Zengakuren has been involved in Japan’s Anti-Red Purge Movement,...
and became heavily involved in the small right-wing faction at the university. He came into Mishima's orbit in 1967, and joined the Tatenokai
Tatenokai
The Tatenokai or Shield Society was a private militia in Japan dedicated to traditional Japanese values and veneration of the Emperor. It was founded and led by the author Yukio Mishima....
at its establishment the next year.
Mishima approached several members one at a time in April and May 1970. The inner circle then consisted of Mishima, Morita, Ogawa and "Chibi" Koga. No clear plan was developed until late June. Shortly afterwards he went on holiday to Shimoda
Shimoda
Shimoda can mean:* Places in Japan:** Shimoda, Shizuoka, a city in Shizuoka Prefecture** Shimoda, Aomori, a town in Aomori Prefecture* Treaty of Shimoda , between Japan and Russia* Shimoda Toyomatsu, an early Japanese Scouting notable...
and paid for the others to go to Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, where they recruited "Furu" Koga
Hiroyasu Koga
Hiroyasu Koga is a former Tatenokai member and kaishakunin responsible for the decapitations of Yukio Mishima and Masakatsu Morita during their seppuku on November 25, 1970...
, whom Mishima met on 9 September in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.
All four followers were expecting to commit suicide, and were indignant when, in November, Mishima ruled that only he and Morita were to die. On the 21st and 22nd, supplies were bought, and Morita asked "Furu" Koga to stand in for him if he should fail to behead Mishima properly. The next two days were spent in rehearsal. In the end, Koga beheaded both Mishima and Morita.