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Ran Muraki

むらき らん

Muraki Ran

Pen Names: Minamino Izumi（Pen name used when winning the Green Santa Story Award）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1967-09-24 （Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Novelist
Active Years
1995-
Influenced By
Ryōtarō Shiba
Nominations
Candidate for the 170th Naoki Prize (for 'Maimai Tsuburo')

Education

Kyoto University
Faculty of Law / Law
Country: Japan
After graduating from university, worked at a company; from 1995 served as household assistant for the family of Ryōtarō Shiba.

Awards

Green Santa Story Award
2006
Work: Midori and Santa
Organization: Green Santa Story Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Matsumoto Seicho Award
2010
Work: Margarita
Organization: Matsumoto Seicho Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Japan Historical Fiction Writers Association Award
2023
Work: Maimai Tsuburo
Category: 作品賞
Organization: Japan Historical Fiction Writers Association
Result: 受賞
Bookstore-Selected Historical Novel Award
2023
Work: Maimai Tsuburo
Organization: Bookstore-Selected Historical Novel Award Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Margarita

2010 Historical novel

A historical novel centered on Chijiwa Miguel, depicting the era when Christianity and Western culture intersected in Japan.

History of Christianitycultural exchangepersonal faith

Waiting for the Ship: The Tale of Kosakaya's Daughter's Edo Patrol

2012 Period novel

Set in Edo, a human drama and mystery featuring the daughter of the Kosakaya family.

Edo periodmysteryhuman drama

Distant Triumphs

2012 Historical novel

A historical novel focusing on Matsudaira Nobutsuna, portraying conflicts between politics and martial life.

samuraipoliticspower

Blooming in the Snow

2013 Historical novel

A historical romance centering on Oguri Masamune.

familyloyaltytrials

Tasuke's Woman

2013 Historical novel

A work depicting human relationships surrounding thieves and ronin.

thieveshonorsociety

Waiting for the Wind: The Antiques Shop Daughter and Wise Izu's Scribbles

2014 Period novel

Stories about the daughter of an antiques shop and a clever figure, composed as episodic tales.

Edo culturehuman dramaoccupations

Shimazu Sky: Returning Geese

2015 Historical novel

A linked series portraying members of the Shimazu family, including Shimazu Yoshihisa.

daimyo familyfamily historySengoku/Edo periods

Summit of Perfection

2015 Period novel

A tale set in the Sengoku period centered on Hirata Jinnen (character name as depicted in the work).

valorloyaltySengoku period

Stars on Earth

2016 Historical novel

A novel with episodic elements drawing on historical figures and incidents.

historical figuresmemoryfate

Hiko: The Hatchobori Detection Case

2016 Period detective novel

A detective-style period story themed around the thief known as Hiko.

detectionthievesmystery

Yamato Nishiki

2017 Historical novel

A novel portraying politics and human relations in the modernization period with Inoue as a central figure.

modernizationpoliticsbiographical

Summer Slope

2019 Period novel

A human drama with historical elements centered on Nanbara Shigeru.

biographyregional historypublic office

The Wagtail's Poem

2020 Period novel

A work characterized by tranquil and lyrical prose.

lyricismeveryday lifehistory

Conquest of the Realm

2020 Short story collection

A collection of short stories set in various historical periods.

short storieshistorical fictionhumor

Acha

2022 Historical novel

A story centered on Acha (Unkō-in), a concubine of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

concubinescourtwomen's history

Nibe-ya Travelogue

2022 Period novel

A series of human-interest stories set around a merchant household.

merchant familysocial historyhuman drama

Maimai Tsuburo

2023 Historical novel

A novel centered on Tokugawa Ieshige, depicting the era's context and individual struggles.

Edo shogunatepower and humanityhistorical perspective

Maimai Tsuburo: Onmibari Notes

2024 Period novel

A companion or sequel to 'Maimai Tsuburo', focusing on the oniwaban (guards) and related episodes.

espionageshogunate organizationuntold stories

Mata Udo

2024 Historical novel

A historical novel featuring Tanuma Okitsugu.

political reformEdo shogunatebiography

Some First Day

2024 Period novel

A story featuring the young Takenokiyo (Tokugawa Ieyasu).

youthdomain politicscoming of age

Bibliography

  • Margarita
  • Waiting for the Ship: Tale of Kosakaya's Daughter
  • Distant Triumphs
  • Blooming in the Snow
  • Tasuke's Woman
  • Waiting for the Wind
  • Shimazu Sky: Returning Geese
  • Summit of Perfection
  • Stars on Earth
  • Hiko: The Hatchobori Detection Case
  • Yamato Nishiki
  • Summer Slope
  • The Wagtail's Poem
  • Conquest of the Realm
  • Acha
  • Nibe-ya Travelogue
  • Maimai Tsuburo
  • Maimai Tsuburo: Oniwaban Notes
  • Mata Udo
  • Some First Day

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Detailed historical depictionFocus on characters' psychological portrayalCareful reconstruction of historical settings
Recurring Motifs
familyloyaltyconflict between era and individual

Legacy

Recognized for meticulous, research-based depictions and strong character work as a contemporary historical novelist. Winner of the Matsumoto Seicho Award among others and a noted presence in the field of period fiction.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Historical Fiction Writers Association

Archives

  • National Diet Library (NDL ID: 01204833)
  • VIAF (VIAF ID: 259183588)

Trivia

  • Under the pen name Minamino Izumi, won the Green Santa Story Award in 2006.
  • From 1995 served in household assistance for the family of Ryōtarō Shiba and later worked as personal secretary to Midori Fukuda.
  • Graduated from Kyoto University Faculty of Law.
  • Won the 17th Matsumoto Seicho Award in 2010 for 'Margarita'.
  • 'Maimai Tsuburo' (2023) won the Japan Historical Fiction Writers Association Award (Work Award) and the Bookstore-Selected Historical Novel Award, and was a candidate for the 170th Naoki Prize.