Depicts the ritual suicide of a naval officer in both Japanese (27 min.) and English (29 min.) versions. Bonus features include an 49-minute audio recording of Mishima at the Foreign Correspondent's Association of Japan, a 50-minute making-of documentary, interview excerpts featuring Mishima discussing World War II and death

Two characters on a Noh stage dramatize the rite of love and death of Lieutenant Shinji Takeyama and his wife Reiko. Takeyama was one of a cadre of young officers who staged a coup d'etat in February, 1936. He was not arrested when the coup failed, but as an officer of the palace guard, he knew he would be given the order to execute his friends. The night before the execution, he and his wife prepare for hara-kiri, first with passion without shyness, then in uniform and kimono with sword and dagger. Calligraphy figures in the preparation, as Reiko gathers her keepsakes to give to survivors. They embrace in death. Written by {jhailey@hotmail.com}