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Edition 3 (1978) selected
Renjo Mikihiko
れんじょう みきひこ
Renjo Mikihiko
Pen Names:
Renjo Mikihiko（Pen name used for literary works）
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1948-01-11 （Nagoya, Aichi, Japan）
- Died
- 2013-10-19 （Nagoya, Aichi, Japan） age 65
- Nationality
- Japan
- Languages
- Japanese
- Religion
- Jōdo Shinshū Ōtani-ha (Pure Land Buddhism) Baptized in 1985 （Baptismal Name: Chijun）
- Residence History
- Nagoya (born and lived)
Career
- Occupations
- Novelist, Mystery writer, Buddhist priest
- Active Years
- 1978-2013
- Affiliations
- Office Remu (shared office)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waseda University | School of Political Science and Economics | — | 学士 | — | Japan |
| Aichi Prefectural Asahigaoka High School | — | — | — | — | Japan |
Waseda University
School of Political Science and Economics
Degree:
学士
Country:
Japan
Graduated from the School of Political Science and Economics (year unknown)
Aichi Prefectural Asahigaoka High School
Country:
Japan
High school attended
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Genzai-sho (Phantom Castle) Newcomer Award (fiction) | Hencho Futari-bauri | — | Gengeijo magazine / editorial board | winner |
| 1981 | Mystery Writers of Japan Award (short story) | Modorigawa Shinjū | 短編 | Mystery Writers of Japan | winner |
| 1984 | Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award | Yoimachigusa Yajō | — | Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize Committee | winner |
| 1984 | Naoki Prize (Naoki Sanjūgo Prize) | Koibumi (Love Letter) | — | Naoki Prize Committee | winner |
| 1990 | Kinema Junpo Readers' Award | Shishashitsu no Melody | — | Kinema Junpo | winner |
| 1996 | Shibata Renzaburo Prize | Kakure-giku | — | Shibata Renzaburo Prize Committee | winner |
| 2014 | Japan Mystery Literature Grand Prize (Special Award) | — | — | Japan Mystery Literature Grand Prize Committee | special award |
Genzai-sho (Phantom Castle) Newcomer Award (fiction)
1978
Work:
Hencho Futari-bauri
Organization:
Gengeijo magazine / editorial board
Result:
winner
Mystery Writers of Japan Award (short story)
1981
Work:
Modorigawa Shinjū
Category:
短編
Organization:
Mystery Writers of Japan
Result:
winner
Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award
1984
Work:
Yoimachigusa Yajō
Organization:
Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize Committee
Result:
winner
Naoki Prize (Naoki Sanjūgo Prize)
1984
Work:
Koibumi (Love Letter)
Organization:
Naoki Prize Committee
Result:
winner
Kinema Junpo Readers' Award
1990
Work:
Shishashitsu no Melody
Organization:
Kinema Junpo
Result:
winner
Shibata Renzaburo Prize
1996
Work:
Kakure-giku
Organization:
Shibata Renzaburo Prize Committee
Result:
winner
Japan Mystery Literature Grand Prize (Special Award)
2014
Organization:
Japan Mystery Literature Grand Prize Committee
Result:
special award
Awards & Nominations
Mystery Writers of Japan Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 34 (1981) short story prize
Naoki Sanjugo Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 91 (1984) award
Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 5 (1984) award
Shibata Renzaburo Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 9 (1996) award
Japan Mystery Literature Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 18 (2015) special award
Works
Major Works
Modorigawa Shinjū
1980 Short story / MysteryA lyrical short story combining clever plot devices with emotional subtlety; blends mystery elements with romantic themes.
lovebetrayalmemory
Adaptations
- [Film] Modori-gawa / 神代辰巳 (1983)
Koibumi (Love Letter)
1984 Popular fiction / RomanceA novel delicately depicting love and human relationships. Winner of the Naoki Prize and popular with a wide readership.
romancelossfamily
Adaptations
- [Film] Koibumi / 神代辰巳 (1985)
- [TV drama] Koibumi: The Man We Loved / 岡田恵和（脚本） (2003)
Kakure-giku
1996 Suspense / MysteryA suspense novel revolving around intrigue and human relationships. Winner of the Shibata Renzaburo Prize; adapted for screen and television.
conspiracyfamilyredemption
Adaptations
- [TV drama] Kakure-giku (TV) (2016)
Zōka no Mitsu
2008 Hon-kaku mystery / SuspenseA mystery novel combining clever tricks with human characterization. Adapted into a multi-episode TV drama.
deceptionfamily secretsmemory
Adaptations
- [TV drama] Drama W: Zōka no Mitsu (2011)
Bibliography
- Modorigawa Shinjū
- Koibumi (Love Letter)
- Kakure-giku
- Zōka no Mitsu
- Hakkō
- Ningen Dōbutsuen
Adaptations
- Modorigawa Shinjū (film)
- Koibumi (film & TV)
- Zōka no Mitsu (TV series)
- Ningen Dōbutsuen (Drama W)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- lyrical and delicate prosemystery techniques using tricky devicespsychological depictions of emotional nuance
- Recurring Motifs
- lettersseparation / double suicidereturning memories of the past
Health
-
stomach cancer2009-2013Diagnosed in 2009 and underwent treatment; passed away in 2013 after a period of illness
Legacy
A writer known for lyrical prose and clever plot devices. Winner of the Naoki Prize and the Mystery Writers of Japan Award among others; many works adapted for screen, influencing both contemporary mystery and popular romance fiction.
Academic Societies
- Mystery Writers of Japan
Archives
- National Diet Library (collection holdings)
- Waseda University Library (related materials)
In Popular Culture
- Many works adapted into films and TV dramas, familiar to general audiences
Quotes
-
More than how one writes, it's how one does not write.
Source: Essay / published remarks (collected in his writing guides and essays) (2003)
Trivia
- Real name: Kato Jingo.
- Ordained in 1985; Buddhist name (hōmyō): Chijun.
- Studied in France during university to learn screenwriting.
- Many of his works have been adapted for film and television.