Confessions of a Mask

Confessions of a Mask propelled Mishima to fame at the young age of 24. While displaying the densely analytical yet lyrical style that would make Mishima’s work a lasting influence on later Japanese writers, Confessions of a Mask has since drawn scholarly attention for its similarities to Mishima’s own life. Many debate whether the novel is a fictionalized autobiography or memoir. Numerous details within the novel directly mimic Mishima’s real life experience, from the protagonist’s complicated and controlling relationship with his grandmother to his name—Kochan, the diminutive version of Mishima’s birth name, Kimitake. Thus, the title itself gains a new dimension when considered through an authorial lens: Not only does Kochan put on masks to hide his own inner self, but the character can be regarded as a mask for the author.

Even if not intentionally autobiographical, the novel benefits when interpreted as a mirror of its author’s interests and desires. Kochan’s fascination with death and the eroticization of violence is not a theme unique to Confessions of a Mask; many of Mishima’s works echo this theme. Additionally, Kochan’s complex relationship with his attraction to men seems to reflect Mishima’s own.