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Misaki Chino

ちの みさき

Chino Misaki

Pen Names: Miku Suzuki（Pen name used when submitting to the Kadokawa Haruki Novel Award）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1972-00-00 （Kimitsu, Chiba, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Kimitsu, Chiba, Japan (birthplace) → Futtsu, Chiba, Japan (moved at age 8) → Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (resident)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Fantasy writer
Active Years
2012-
Affiliations
Ekitan (web editor), Major Canadian bank (internal audit department)
Nominations
5th Poplar Publishing Novel Prize Finalist (Rengyosou Kitan)

Education

Chiba Prefectural Sodegaura High School
Country: Japan
University of Minnesota
Country: United States

Awards

Kadokawa Haruki Novel Award
2012
Work: Kara no Kaze
Organization: Kadokawa Haruki Office
Result: Winner
Poplar Publishing Novel Prize (Finalist)
2010
Work: Rengyosou Kitan
Organization: Poplar Publishing
Result: Finalist

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Suzu no Kamisama

2012 Novel (Fantasy)

Debut work. A fantasy novel exploring local folk beliefs and the relationship between a small local deity and people.

folk beliefsnostalgiafamilyfantasy

Yokoku no Kenshi (Swordsman of the Demon Country)

2012 Japanese-style fantasy

The first volume of a series set in a folkloric demon realm, combining swordplay and supernatural elements.

yokai (supernatural beings)swordplaydutyadventure

Fukagawa Nikko-do: Confectionery Calendar

2017 Linked stories (human drama, town-centric)

First volume of a linked-story series set around a confectionery shop, depicting daily life and seasonal traditions.

artisanswagashi (Japanese confectionery)seasonshuman relationships

Edo is Asakusa

2018 Period fiction / Mystery

First in a series set in Asakusa, depicting Edo-period settings and mysteries through town characters and incidents.

Edomysterycustomshuman drama

The Unfallen Camellia

2016 Historical fiction

A historical novel featuring the painter Ritsu, portraying craftsman districts and interpersonal relationships.

artisanspainterEdorelationships

Hien no Kanzashi

2020 Historical / Craftsman tale

A volume in a series that follows Kanda craftsmen and their intertwined lives.

craftsmenbondstradition

Yamanote Line Mystery Days 1

2017 Mystery

A collection of short linked mysteries set along the Yamanote Line.

urban lifeeveryday mysterieshuman observation

Shiro and Mashiro: Beginnings of Kanda Craftsmen Town Bonds

2015 Short story / Craftsman tale

A short work set in Kanda's craftsmen town, depicting community bonds and human warmth.

craftsman townconnectionshuman warmth

Bibliography

  • Suzu no Kamisama (2012)
  • Yokoku no Kenshi (2012)
  • Yokashi no Ko / Yokoku no Kenshi 2 (2013)
  • The Old Sorcerer's Trap / Yokoku no Kenshi 3 (2014)
  • The Conspiracy of Saito / Yokoku no Kenshi 4 (2015)
  • To the Heavenly Sky / Yokoku no Kenshi 5 (2023)
  • The Unfallen Camellia (2016)
  • Dancing Crape Myrtle (2017)
  • Snowflower Ablaze (2017)
  • Circling Cherry Blossoms (2018)
  • Connecting Balls (2019)
  • Running Lilies (2020)
  • Shinobu Higanbana (2021)
  • The Messenger Ptarmigan (2022)
  • Binding Chrysanthemums (2023)
  • Fukagawa Nikko-do: Confectionery Calendar (2017)
  • Fukagawa Nikko-do: Confectionery Calendar II (2019)
  • Fukagawa Nikko-do: Confectionery Calendar III (2020)
  • Fukagawa Nikko-do: Confectionery Letters (2022)
  • Edo is Asakusa (2018)
  • Edo is Asakusa 2: The Search for the Thief (2019)
  • Edo is Asakusa 3: Peaches and Cherry Blossoms (2020)
  • Edo is Asakusa 4: Winter Lantern (2022)
  • Edo is Asakusa 5: Spring Investigations (2023)
  • Hien no Kanzashi (2020)
  • Tsuma Beni (2020)
  • Matsuba Memories (2021)
  • The Lion's Bed (2022)
  • Mizuka (2023)
  • Yamanote Line Mystery Days 1 (2017)
  • Yamanote Line Mystery Days 2 (2019)
  • Shiro and Mashiro: Beginnings of Kanda Craftsmen Town Bonds (2015)
  • Suzu no Kamisama (Daiwa Bunko reprint 2018)
  • Kara no Kaze (award-winning submission, 2012)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
lyrical prose blending Japanese-style descriptionsdetailed portrayals of historical settingsgentle narrative focusing on character depiction
Recurring Motifs
artisans and workshopswagashi and seasonal food cultureEdo and downtown landscapesyokai and folk beliefsfamily and human ties

Legacy

Misaki Chino is known for work that crosses Japanese-style fantasy and period fiction, portraying craftsmen and town life with care. She drew attention after winning the Kadokawa Haruki Novel Award and has expanded her readership through multiple series.

Trivia

  • Won the Kadokawa Haruki Novel Award for 'Kara no Kaze' submitted under the pen name 'Miku Suzuki'.
  • Graduated from the University of Minnesota (graduation year not publicly specified).
  • Born in Kimitsu, Chiba; moved to Futtsu at age 8.
  • Worked as a web editor at Ekitan.
  • Has lived in Vancouver and worked in internal audit at a major Canadian bank.