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Kentarō Komori

こもり けんたろう

Komori Kentaro

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1965-01-01 （Osaka Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Mystery writer, Critic, Translator, University professor
Active Years
1982-
Affiliations
Kindai University (Kinki University), Faculty of Letters
Influenced By
Ellery Queen, Kuroiwa Ruikō, Bertrand Russell

Education

Osaka Prefectural Kitano High School
Country: Japan
The University of Tokyo, Faculty of Letters
Faculty of Letters / Department of Philosophy
Degree: 学士
Period: 1985-1989
Year of Graduation: 1989
Country: Japan
The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Education (Doctoral program)
Graduate School / Graduate School of Education
Period: 1994-1997
Year of Graduation: 1997
Country: Japan
Withdrew after earning credits in the doctoral program

Awards

63rd Mystery Writers of Japan Award (Criticism/Other)
2010
Work: Subterranean Currents of English Literature: Studies in Classical Mystery – From Kuroiwa Ruikō to Queen
Category: 評論その他
Organization: Mystery Writers of Japan
Result: Winner
28th Edogawa Rampo Prize (Finalist)
1982
Work: The Locked Room of Lowell Castle
Organization: Edogawa Rampo Prize Committee
Result: Finalist

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Comiket Murder Case

1994 Mystery novel

A classic-style mystery set at the Comiket doujinshi fair. It depicts a locked-room murder against the backdrop of circle activities and fandom culture.

Locked-roomFandom/ComiketClassic detective fiction

The Locked Room of Lowell Castle

1995 Mystery novel

A locked-room mystery that drew attention early in his career. The work reflects meticulous logic and deep knowledge of classical mystery fiction.

Classical mysteryLogical puzzles

Seven Labyrinths of Komaba

2000 Mystery novel

A linked novel depicting multiple labyrinthine incidents set in urban and campus environments.

LabyrinthCampusUrban

Bibliography

  • Comiket Murder Case
  • The Locked Room of Lowell Castle
  • The Locked Room of Nenuwenlar
  • The Laughter of Nemesis
  • Murder at the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
  • The Locked Room of the Child of God
  • The Sleepless Eve's Dream
  • The Locked Room of the Maya Doomsday Prophecy 'Dreaming'
  • Seven Labyrinths of Komaba
  • The Locked Room of the Mughal Palace
  • The Trace of G (later retitled 'The Trace of Gurdjieff')
  • Ten Nights of Demonic Dreams
  • Nemesis' Cruel Laughter S

Translations by Author

  • The Book of Mirdad
  • The Wanderer (co-translated with Nagai Kaori)
  • Spider-World: The Tower of the Wise (Colin Wilson)
  • Spider-World: The Mystical Delta (Colin Wilson)
  • The Case-Records of Philo Vance (S. S. Van Dine)
  • The Son of Man: Jesus

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Logical prose grounded in classic detective fictionAnalytical and scholarly perspective based on studies of classical mysteryOccasional incorporation of observations on subculture and fandom
Recurring Motifs
Locked-room trickLabyrinthine structuresReferences to classical detective fiction

Legacy

In addition to his work as a writer of classic-style mysteries, he is recognized for his scholarship and criticism on classical mystery fiction. He has contributed to education and mentoring through his faculty position at Kindai University.

Trivia

  • At age 16, his work 'The Locked Room of Lowell Castle' became a finalist for the 28th Edogawa Rampo Prize, attracting attention as one of the youngest finalists.
  • He participated in Comiket and incorporates observations of fandom into his fiction.