Japanese Literary Awards

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Mahoro Furuno

ふるの まほろ

Furuno Mahoro

Profile

Gender
Female
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Author, Novelist
Active Years
2007-

Awards

Mephisto Prize
2007
Work: The Emperor's Unseemly Fruit
Organization: Mephisto Prize
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Emperor's Unseemly Fruit

2007 Mystery novel

The first novel in a series set in a parallel-world 'Japanese Empire' where a high-school protagonist becomes reluctantly involved in and solves various mysteries. Debut work and Mephisto Prize winner.

Parallel worldEmpireHigh schoolMystery
Adaptations
  • [Stage play] The Emperor's Unseemly Fruit / 松澤くれは (2014)

The Emperor's Sent Arrow

2007 Mystery novel

Second in the series. Another mystery set in the parallel-world Japanese Empire.

MysteryHigh schoolConspiracy

The Emperor's Cherished Islet

2007 Mystery novel

One of the series entries featuring elements of locked-room and closed-space mystery on an island.

Isolated islandLocked-roomInterpersonal relationships

The Emperor's Serene Phoenix Flight

2009 Mystery novel

Fourth in the series. One of the works originally published under Kodansha Novels.

PowerPuzzle solving

The Emperor's Sweet-Buried Tomb Princess

2011 Mystery novel

Mid-series entry published by Gentōsha, expanding settings and character relationships.

TombsFamily secrets

The Emperor's Inhabited Flower Hall

2013 Mystery novel

A Gentōsha-published series entry incorporating mansion-story elements.

MansionPast crimes

The Emperor's Far-Viewing Cherry Flame

2017 Mystery novel

Seventh in the series, once again published by Kodansha Novels.

ReunionForeshadowing to series climax

Bibliography

  • The Emperor's Unseemly Fruit
  • The Emperor's Sent Arrow
  • The Emperor's Cherished Islet
  • The Emperor's Serene Phoenix Flight
  • The Emperor's Sweet-Buried Tomb Princess
  • The Emperor's Inhabited Flower Hall
  • The Emperor's Far-Viewing Cherry Flame

Adaptations

  • Stage play 'The Emperor's Unseemly Fruit' (2014)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Blend of classical detective elements with contemporary narrationIntricate plot construction
Recurring Motifs
The imperial setting as a deviceHigh-school life and youth perspectiveWind ensemble / brass band setting

Legacy

The Teitei series, which debuted with a Mephisto Prize-winning novel, is known for its original 'Japanese Empire' parallel-world setting and focus on high-school characters. The series experienced publisher shifts and revisions for paperback editions and was adapted for the stage, showing multifaceted development.

In Popular Culture

  • Adapted for the stage in 2014, expanding the work's world among its fanbase.

Trivia

  • The protagonist shares the same name, 'Mahoro Furuno', as the author.
  • The series was published by Kodansha Novels and later by Gentōsha; the paperback editions were fully revised.
  • The first book was the author's debut and won the Mephisto Prize.