is a Japanese novelist, especially known for his hardboiled novels. He studied law at Chuo University in the early 1970s. He served as the 10th President of the Mystery Writers of Japan from 1997 to 2001.

Works in English translation

1. Hardboiled novels

2. Ashes (original title: Bō no Kanashimi), trans. Emi Shimokawa (Vertical, 2003)

3. Winter Sleep (original title: Fuyu no Nemuri), trans. Mark Schilling (Vertical, 2005)

4. The Cage (original title: Ori), trans. Paul Warham (Vertical, 2006)

5. City of Refuge (original title: Nogare no Machi), trans. Y.T. Horgan (Vertical, 2012)

Awards and nominations

• 1982 - Japan Adventure Fiction Association Prize: Nemuri Naki Yoru (Sleepless Night)

• 1983 - Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers: Nemuri Naki Yoru (Sleepless Night)

• 1983 - Japan Adventure Fiction Association Prize: The Cage

• 1984 - Nominee for Mystery Writers of Japan Award for Best Novel: The Cage

• 1985 - Mystery Writers of Japan Award for Best Novel: Kawaki no Machi (City of Thirst)

• 1991 - Shibata Renzaburo Prize: Hagun no Hoshi (Alkaid)

• 2004 - Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for Literature: Yōkashō (Generals of the Yang Family)

• 2006 - Shiba Ryotaro Prize: Suikoden (Water Margin)

• 2009 - Japan Mystery Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement

Main works

Standalone hardboiled novels

• , 1981

• , 1982 (City of Refuge, Vertical, 2012)

• , 1983

• , 1983

• , 1983

• , 1983 (The Cage, Vertical, 2006)

• , 1984

• , 1984

• , 1984

• , 1984

• , 1984

• , 1984

• , 1984

• , 1985

• , 1985

• , 1985

• , 1985

• , 1985

• , 1985

• , 1986

• , 1986

• , 1986

• , 1986

• , 1986

• , 1987

• , 1987

• , 1987

• , 1987

• , 1988

• , 1989

• , 1989

• , 1990

• , 1990 (Ashes, Vertical, 2003)

• , 1991

• , 1992

• , 1993

• , 1994

• , 1994

• , 1994

• , 1994

• , 1995

• , 1995

• , 1996 (Winter Sleep, Vertical, 2005)

• , 1999

• , 1999

• , 2001

• , 2003

Short story collections

• , 1988

• , 1993

• , 2002

See also

• Japanese detective fiction

References

External links

• Profile at J'Lit Books from Japan

• Synopsis of at JLPP (Japanese Literature Publishing Project)