Sogen Mystery Short Story Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 25 (2018) award
Saito Asuka
さいとう あすか
Saito Asuka
Pen Names:
Hanyu Asuka（Pen name used for adult mysteries and historical detective fiction）
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1982 （Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan）
- Nationality
- Japan
- Languages
- Japanese
Career
- Occupations
- Novelist, Children's literature author
- Active Years
- 2010-
- Influenced By
- Arthur Conan Doyle, Maurice Leblanc, Ellery Queen, Agatha Christie, Saki Murayama, Kaoru Hayamine
- Nominations
- Finalist, 14th Mysteries! Newcomer Award (for "Hagetetsu-goroshi")
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sophia University, Faculty of Letters | Faculty of Letters | Department of History | — | — | Japan |
Sophia University, Faculty of Letters
Faculty of Letters
/ Department of History
Country:
Japan
Specialized in medieval Japanese history. Took correspondence courses from the Japan Children's Literature Association while at university.
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Utsunomiya Kodomo Prize (33rd) | Henachoko Detective 24ji | — | Utsunomiya City Central Library | winner |
| 2018 | Mysteries! Newcomer Award (15th) | Shijitsumori | — | Tokyo Sogensha | winner |
| 2021 | Hosoya Masamitsu Prize (4th) | Chou toshite Shisu: Heike Monogatari Mystery Collection | — | Tokyo Sogensha | winner |
Utsunomiya Kodomo Prize (33rd)
2017
Work:
Henachoko Detective 24ji
Organization:
Utsunomiya City Central Library
Result:
winner
Mysteries! Newcomer Award (15th)
2018
Work:
Shijitsumori
Organization:
Tokyo Sogensha
Result:
winner
Hosoya Masamitsu Prize (4th)
2021
Work:
Chou toshite Shisu: Heike Monogatari Mystery Collection
Organization:
Tokyo Sogensha
Result:
winner
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Okon Soshi
2010 Children's literatureDebut work published by Doshinsha. A children's novel incorporating historical and folktale elements.
childrenhistoryfolktale
Henachoko Detective 24ji
2015 Children's literature / MysteryA children's mystery; winner of the Utsunomiya Kodomo Prize in 2017.
mysterychildrendetective
Chou toshite Shisu: Heike Monogatari Mystery Collection
2021 Historical mystery (short story collection)Published under the pen name Hanyu Asuka. A linked short-story collection of historical mysteries based on the Heike Monogatari; winner of the Hosoya Masamitsu Prize.
historymysteryHeike Monogatari
Yoran no Miyako: Heike Monogatari Mystery Collection
2022 Historical mysteryA mystery collection themed on the Heike Monogatari. Appeared on multiple mystery rankings.
historyclassical literaturemystery
Bibliography
- Okon Soshi (2010)
- Okon Emaki: Osumigafuchi no Orochi (2014)
- If You Live with a Kobold: Nagatsukiyama no Sennin-sama (2015)
- Henachoko Detective 24ji (2015)
- Kodomo Shokudo Kamifusen (2018)
- Chou toshite Shisu: Heike Monogatari Mystery Collection (2021)
- Yoran no Miyako: Heike Monogatari Mystery Collection (2022)
- Kajin Tantei Teika: Hyakunin Isshu Mystery Collection (2024)
- Zokuto, Akatsuki ni Senri o Hashiru (2024)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Combines a children's literature narrative voice with classical and historical elementsDetailed historical description paired with mystery plotting
- Recurring Motifs
- Motifs from the Heike Monogatari and medieval historyChildren and detective perspectivesClassical tricks and Japanese-flavored motifs
Legacy
An author recognized in both children's literature and authentic historical mystery. Works under her real name are praised for educational sensitivity and accessibility; those under the pen name Hanyu Asuka draw attention for deep knowledge of classics and skillful mystery devices.
Academic Societies
- Japan Children's Literature Association (attended courses)
Trivia
- Uses the name Saito Asuka for children's literature and Hanyu Asuka for adult mysteries.
- Debuted in 2010 with 'Okon Soshi' published by Doshinsha.
- Studied medieval Japanese history at university.