Handwritten manuscripts of four early works by renowned Japanese novelist Yukio Mishima (1925-1970) have been discovered, a literature museum in Kyushu said Friday.

The museum in the city of Kumamoto said the four works include Mishima’s debut piece titled “Hanazakari No Mori,” which he wrote in 1941 as a 16-year-old junior high school student. The short story was published in a literary magazine that year.

The manuscript of “Hanazakari No Mori” has the signature of Mishima’s real name — Kimitake Hiraoka — on the first page as well as his pen name, Yukio Mishima. This is believed to be the first use of the pseudonym.

In addition to the 56-page manuscript of Mishima’s debut piece, two other short stories and an 11-page essay were found. Read more