His loyal follower Morita Masakatsu completed the suicide ritual: he swung his samurai sword at Mishima’s neck—to bring about a swift death and hasten the end of pain.

But he failed. The sword struck Mishima on the shoulders.

Seeing this, his friend standing alongside took over. He was a renowned kendo player. He succeeded: his sword struck hard and with precision. Mishima was beheaded.

Masakatsu then performed his own ritual suici