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Ryosuke Kakine

かきね りょうすけ

Ryosuke Kakine

Aliases: 西山 陽一郎 / Nishiyama Yoichiro
Pen Names: Ryosuke Kakine（Pen name (real name: Nishiyama Yoichiro)）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1966-04-27 （Isahaya, Nagasaki, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Isahaya, Nagasaki (birthplace) → Tokyo (moved for university; resides)

Career

Occupations
Novelist
Active Years
2000-
Influenced By
Somerset Maugham, Truman Capote, Gabriel García Márquez
Nominations
2013: Nominee for the 4th Yamada Futtarō Prize ('Mitsuhide no Teiri'), 2014: Nominee for the 2nd Kyoto Book Award ('Mitsuhide no Teiri'), 2017: Shortlisted for the 156th Naoki Prize ('Muromachi Burai'), 2018: Nominee for the 9th Yamada Futtarō Prize ('Shincho no Genri'), 2019: Shortlisted for the 160th Naoki Prize ('Shincho no Genri'), 2019: Nominee for the 7th Kyoto Book Award ('Muromachi Burai')

Education

University of Tsukuba
Second Group, Human Sciences (Human Studies)
Country: Japan
Graduated from the Second Group, Human Sciences division.

Awards

Suntory Mystery Award
2000
Work: The Rooster at Three A.M.
Category: 大賞・読者賞
Organization: Kōbo Guide (Suntory Mystery Award)
Result: Winner
Oyabu Haruhiko Prize
2004
Work: Wild Soul
Organization: Oyabu Haruhiko Prize Selection Committee
Result: Winner
Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award
2004
Work: Wild Soul
Organization: Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award Committee
Result: Winner
Mystery Writers of Japan Award
2004
Work: Wild Soul
Category: 長編及び連作短編集部門
Organization: Mystery Writers of Japan
Result: Winner
Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize
2005
Work: Kimitachi ni Ashita wa Nai
Organization: Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize Committee
Result: Winner
Nagasaki Prefectural Commendation (Special Award)
2005
Organization: Nagasaki Prefecture
Result: Winner
Booksellers' Historical Novel Award
2016
Work: Muromachi Burai
Organization: Booksellers' Historical Novel Award Committee
Result: Winner
Naoki Prize
2023
Work: Gokuraku Seii Taishogun
Organization: Naoki Prize Selection Committee
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Rooster at Three A.M.

2000 Mystery

A debut novel set in Ho Chi Minh City, inspired by the author's experience as a tour escort; winner of the Suntory Mystery Award.

extreme situationsforeign city settingself-awakening
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] The Rooster at Three A.M. (2000)

Heat Island

2001 Mystery / Suspense

A hard-hitting suspense novel set in an urban environment; part of the Heat Island series.

urban crimesocial stagnationviolence
Adaptations
  • [Film] Heat Island / 片山修 (2007)

Wild Soul

2003 Mystery

A novel that explores the darker sides of corporate society and individuals; it brought the author several literary awards.

social mysterypersonal conflictviolence and ethics

Kimitachi ni Ashita wa Nai

2005 Mystery / Social novel

A social novel about a professional layoffs-surrogate; loosely based on the author's experience as a salaryman.

layoffslabor issuessocial harshness
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Kimitachi ni Ashita wa Nai (2010)

Mitsuhide's Theorem

2013 Historical novel

A historical novel focused on Akechi Mitsuhide; marks the author's expansion into historical fiction.

reinterpretation of historical figurespower and humanity

Muromachi Burai

2016 Historical novel

A historical novel depicting the political anarchy before the Ōnin War; winner of the Booksellers' Historical Novel Award.

anarchypower strugglesMuromachi period
Adaptations
  • [Film] Muromachi Burai / 入江悠 (2025)

Principles of Nobunaga

2018 Historical novel

A long novel about Oda Nobunaga that blends historical facts and fiction.

powerambitionhistorical reappraisal

Gokuraku Seii Taishogun

2023 Historical novel

A historical novel about Ashikaga Takauji; winner of the 169th Naoki Prize.

warrior biographyrise and fall of power

Bibliography

  • The Rooster at Three A.M. (2000)
  • Heat Island (2001)
  • Wild Soul (2003)
  • Gangster Lesson (2004)
  • Saudade (2004)
  • Crazy Heaven (2004)
  • Kimitachi ni Ashita wa Nai (2005)
  • The Prince of Debt Collectors (2007)
  • Stakeout Princess (2010)
  • Border (2010)
  • The Moon Does Not Get Angry (2011)
  • Life Driving School (2011)
  • The Trajectory of Komainu John (2012)
  • Mitsuhide's Theorem (2013)
  • Muromachi Burai (2016)
  • Principles of Nobunaga (2018)
  • Nirvana (2021)
  • Gokuraku Seii Taishogun (2023)

Adaptations

  • The Rooster at Three A.M. (TV drama, 2000)
  • Heat Island (Film, 2007, dir. Osamu Katayama)
  • Kimitachi ni Ashita wa Nai (TV drama, 2010, NHK)
  • Muromachi Burai (Film, slated for Jan 17, 2025 release, dir. Yu Irie)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Depictions of extreme situationsMystery / adventureShift to historical fiction (later works)Emphasis on psychological portrayalFast-paced plotting
Recurring Motifs
Self-awareness awakening under extreme stressLayoff and social pressurePower and violenceContrast between regional and urban settings

Legacy

A writer who began in contemporary mystery and expanded to adventure, social novels, and more recently historical fiction. He has won major awards including the Suntory Mystery Award, Mystery Writers of Japan Award, Yoshikawa Eiji Newcomer Award, Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize, and the Booksellers' Historical Novel Award, and received the Naoki Prize in 2023, bringing increased attention.

Archives

  • National Diet Library bibliographic record
  • University of Tsukuba Foundation (profile material)

In Popular Culture

  • Adaptations to television drama and film have brought his work to a wider audience
  • Media exposure includes NHK serial drama adaptation and theatrical film adaptations

Trivia

  • Real name: Nishiyama Yoichiro (pen name: Ryosuke Kakine).
  • Before debut he worked at Recruit and Kinki Nippon Tourist.
  • He became a full-time writer after winning the Suntory Mystery Award (Grand Prize & Reader's Prize) for his debut novel 'The Rooster at Three A.M.'.
  • Reportedly read intensively (about one book a day) and read some 700 books over two years in his formative period.
  • At 28 he bought a condominium on loan during the bubble era and later faced repayment difficulties after the economic downturn.