Japanese Literary Awards

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Asami Ishimochi

いしもち あさみ

Ishimochi Asami

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1966-12-07 （Ehime Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Mystery writer, Part-time writer
Active Years
2002-
Memberships
Mystery Writers of Japan, Honkaku Mystery Writers Club (Auditor 2009–2011)
Nominations
57th Mystery Writers of Japan Award (Long novel & linked short stories) nominee (2004), 6th Honkaku Mystery Award (Novel) nominee (2006), 7th Honkaku Mystery Award (Novel) nominee (2007), 60th Mystery Writers of Japan Award (Short story) nominee (2007), 63rd Mystery Writers of Japan Award (Short story) nominee (2010), 65th Mystery Writers of Japan Award (Short story) nominee (2012)

Education

Kyushu University
Faculty of Science / Department of Biology
Country: Japan
Graduated from Faculty of Science, Department of Biology

Awards

Mystery Writers of Japan Award
2004
Work: Tsuki no Tobira (The Moon's Door)
Category: 長編及び連作短編集部門
Organization: Mystery Writers of Japan
Result: 候補
Honkaku Mystery Award
2006
Work: Tobira wa Tozasareta Mama (The Door Remains Closed)
Category: 小説部門
Organization: Honkaku Mystery Writers Club
Result: 候補
Honkaku Mystery Award
2007
Work: Kao no Nai Teki (Enemy Without a Face)
Category: 小説部門
Organization: Honkaku Mystery Writers Club
Result: 候補
Mystery Writers of Japan Award
2007
Work: Mirai e Fumidasu Ashi (The Footstep Towards the Future)
Category: 短編部門
Organization: Mystery Writers of Japan
Result: 候補
Mystery Writers of Japan Award
2010
Work: Dropping Game
Category: 短編部門
Organization: Mystery Writers of Japan
Result: 候補
Mystery Writers of Japan Award
2012
Work: Sankai ni Tomaru (Stops on the Third Floor)
Category: 短編部門
Organization: Mystery Writers of Japan
Result: 候補

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Rose of Ireland

2002 Mystery

Debut novel selected in the KAPPA-ONE program; a mystery novel marking the author's professional debut.

closed-circledetective reasoning

Tsuki no Tobira (The Moon's Door)

2003 Mystery

A work from the Zamami-kun series that received high rankings in 'This Mystery is Amazing!' and Honkaku Mystery Best 10, gaining wide attention.

enclosed settingsdeductive discussions

Tobira wa Tozasareta Mama (The Door Remains Closed)

2005 Mystery

A notable work in the Usui Yuka series; ranked highly in mystery lists and adapted into a two-part TV drama on WOWOW in 2008.

closed-circlepsychological depiction
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Tobira wa Tozasareta Mama (2008)

Kimi no Nozomu Shinikata (The Death You Wish For)

2008 Mystery

A sequel in the Usui Yuka series; adapted for TV on WOWOW with Nao Matsushita starring.

revengeethical dilemma
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Kimi no Nozomu Shinikata (2008)

Heart and Left Hand

2007 Mystery

A Zamami-kun series entry that received ranking recognition and strong sales after paperback release.

mysteryhuman relationships

Enemy Without a Face

2006 Short story collection

A collection of short stories including previously published works such as 'In the Dark Box.'

short storieslocked-room-style settings

Bibliography

  • The Rose of Ireland
  • Tsuki no Tobira (The Moon's Door)
  • Tobira wa Tozasareta Mama (The Door Remains Closed)
  • Kimi no Nozomu Shinikata (The Death You Wish For)
  • Heart and Left Hand
  • Enemy Without a Face
  • The Tragedy of the Faceless House
  • Mutual Assured Destruction (a title translation)
  • I'm a Hitman

Adaptations

  • Tobira wa Tozasareta Mama (TV drama on WOWOW)
  • Kimi no Nozomu Shinikata (TV drama on WOWOW)
  • Atatakai Te (manga adaptation by Naoko Kubota)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
closed-circle mysteries set in confined spacesplots driven by characters' debates and deductive reasoningconcise, logical prose
Recurring Motifs
closed-circle settingmystery resolved through discussionsocial and ethical dilemmas

Legacy

Recognized for skill in closed-circle honkaku mysteries, Ishimochi has appeared in numerous mystery rankings and award nominations. He has achieved commercial success and had works adapted for screen.

Academic Societies

  • Mystery Writers of Japan
  • Honkaku Mystery Writers Club

Quotes

  • Because I am a part-time writer I cannot read extensively — therefore I set stories in stages unlikely for peers, let events unfold without gimmicks unique to that setting, and have characters discover the truth through discussion.
    Source: Notes in Book Jungle (paperback edition)

Trivia

  • Graduated from Kyushu University Faculty of Science (Department of Biology) and worked at a food company after graduation.
  • Selected in the first KAPPA-ONE program by Kobunsha and debuted with 'The Rose of Ireland'.
  • 'Tobira wa Tozasareta Mama' and 'Kimi no Nozomu Shinikata' were adapted into TV dramas on WOWOW.