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Shusuke Shizukui

しずくい しゅうすけ

Shizukui Shusuke

Pen Names: Nairyu Yuto（Pen name used when submitting the debut novel 'Eikō Itto'）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1968-11-14 （Aichi Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Mystery writer, Editor
Active Years
1999-
Affiliations
Mystery Writers of Japan
Memberships
Mystery Writers of Japan
Nominations
Nominee for the 26th Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award (Hannin ni Tsugu), Nominee for the 7th Yamada Fūtarō Prize (Nozomi), Nominee for the 168th Naoki Prize (Crocodile Tears)

Education

Senshu University
Faculty of Letters
Country: Japan

Awards

Shincho Mystery Club Award
1999
Work: Eikō Itto
Organization: Shinchosha
Result: 受賞
Ōyabu Haruhiko Award
2005
Work: Hannin ni Tsugu
Organization: Ōyabu Haruhiko Award Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Eikō Itto

2000 Mystery

Debut novel submitted under the pen name Nairyu Yuto; it won the Shincho Mystery Club Award and led to his literary debut.

debutambitioninterpersonal relationships

Hannin ni Tsugu

2004 Mystery/Suspense

A suspenseful mystery that explores family and justice. It received high acclaim, topping the Shukan Bunshun Mystery Best 10 in 2004.

justicefamilyrevengeguilt and punishment
Adaptations
  • [Film] Hannin ni Tsugu / Tomoyuki Takimoto (2007)

Closed Note

2006 Romance/Family novel

A novel focusing on love and family; a turning point that broadened the author's range beyond pure mystery.

lossrebirthlove
Adaptations
  • [Film] Closed Note / Isao Yukisada (2007)

Hi no Ko

2003 Mystery/Suspense

A novel depicting the intrusion of fear into family life; adapted for television.

familyfeardanger from close ones
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Hi no Ko (2005)
  • [TV drama] Hi no Ko (2016)

Bitter Blood

2007 Mystery/Action

An entertaining mystery featuring a father-and-son detective duo; adapted into a popular TV drama.

parent-child relationshipjusticepolice procedural
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Bitter Blood: The Worst and Strongest Father-Son Detectives (2014)

The Prosecutors' Sinner

2013 Legal suspense

A weighty legal suspense novel about prosecutors and justice; adapted into a film.

justicethe courtroomprofessional ethics
Adaptations
  • [Film] The Prosecutors' Sinner / Masato Harada (2018)

Nozomi (Hope)

2016 Family novel/Mystery

A story about family and recovery; nominated for the Yamada Fūtarō Prize and adapted into a film.

familyrecoveryloss
Adaptations
  • [Film] Nozomi / Yukihiko Tsutsumi (2020)

Masked Reunion

2014 Mystery/Suspense

A suspense set around a school reunion; adapted into a TV drama.

the pastsecretsexposure
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Masked Reunion (2019)

Crocodile Tears

2022 Mystery

A recent novel nominated for the Naoki Prize.

deceptionjusticehuman relationships

Bibliography

  • Eikō Itto
  • Kyobō
  • Tread on the Silver
  • Hi no Ko
  • Hannin ni Tsugu
  • Closed Note
  • Bitter Blood
  • Crime Novelist
  • Sakki!
  • Tsubasa Monogatari
  • Silver Bonds
  • A Step Along the Way
  • The Prosecutors' Sinner
  • Masked Reunion
  • Nozomi
  • Clearing the Mist
  • Crocodile Tears
  • The Prince of Compatibility
  • The Headhunter Series (Kanoko Koho)
  • Hannin ni Tsugu 2: Yami no Shinkirō
  • Hannin ni Tsugu 3: Kurenai no Kage

Adaptations

  • Closed Note (film)
  • Hannin ni Tsugu (film)
  • The Prosecutors' Sinner (film)
  • Nozomi (film)
  • Hi no Ko (TV drama)
  • Bitter Blood (TV drama)
  • Masked Reunion (TV drama)
  • Hikinukiya (TV drama)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
tense narrative stylerealistic yet lyrical descriptions
Recurring Motifs
familyjustice and guiltshadows of the past

Legacy

A well-regarded contemporary Japanese mystery writer. Several works, notably 'Hannin ni Tsugu', have been adapted for film and television, bringing his stories to a wider audience.

Academic Societies

  • Mystery Writers of Japan

In Popular Culture

  • Multiple TV dramas and films based on his works

Trivia

  • Debuted with 'Eikō Itto' submitted under the pen name Nairyu Yuto.
  • 'Hannin ni Tsugu' ranked number one in the Shukan Bunshun Mystery Best 10.
  • Graduated from Senshu University Faculty of Letters and worked as a publisher editor early in his career.