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Takamitsu Yamashita

やました たかみつ

Yamashita Takamitsu

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1975 （Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan (born / resides) → Kyoto Prefecture (during university studies) → Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (appointed tourism ambassador)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Mystery writer
Active Years
2005-

Education

Kyoto Gakuen University
Faculty of Law / Department of Law
Degree: 学士（法学）
Period: 1994-1998
Year of Graduation: 1998
Country: Japan
Graduated from the Department of Law.

Awards

Poplar Publishing Novel Award
2007
Work: Thinking Under the Rubble
Category: 奨励賞
Organization: Poplar Publishing
Result: Winner
Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! Grand Prize
2008
Work: Rooftop Missile
Category: 大賞
Organization: Takarajimasha
Result: Winner
Kagawa Prefecture Cultural Arts Newcomer Award
2015
Category: 新人賞
Organization: Kagawa Prefecture
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Rooftop Missile

2009 Mystery; Coming-of-age

A coming-of-age mystery about troubled youths, their friendships, and growth. While presented as a mystery, the core theme is youth and the importance of friendship.

friendshipcoming-of-ageinterpersonal conflictself-discovery
Adaptations
  • [Variety show] Super Reenactment! Mystery (2012)

Rooftop Missile: The Mysterious Message

2012 Mystery; Coming-of-age

A sequel/continuation in the Rooftop Missile series, depicting character relationships and new mysteries while exploring the nuances of youth.

friendshipmystery-solvinggrowth

Say-It-and-Do Club

2011 Light mystery

A light mystery focusing on friendships, promises, and interpersonal dynamics among a group.

friendshipeveryday mysteries

Playing HERO

2005 Novel

Debut novel; depicts everyday life and adventures from the perspective of young protagonists.

youthgrowth

Shonen Tetsujin

2009 Mystery

A mystery centered on boys and puzzles; the paperback edition was retitled 'Tetsujin Detective Squad'.

detective workfriendship

Under the Rubble

2012 Short story / Novel

One of his published works; associated with the pieces submitted/recognized in the Poplar Publishing awards.

recoveryfragments of everyday life

Shampoo Stings the Eyes

2014 Novel

A novel that sensitively depicts small discomforts and human relationships in daily life.

human relationshipsdaily life

In the Rain

2014 Novel

A short/medium-length work with strong emotional depiction set against rain.

lonelinessrenewal

Udon Time

2014 Essay / Novel

A light collection themed on local Kagawa food culture (udon) and everyday life.

regional identityfood culture

The Neighboring Goddess

2015 Novel

A contemporary novel emphasizing character portrayal, exploring distances and relationships between people.

interpersonal relationshipspsychological depiction

Handwriting Reveals All

2016 Mystery

A mystery that pursues clues through handwriting and small details.

deductionattention to detail

Go to Work, Rockstar

2016 Novel

A work that comically depicts views on life and work.

workidentity

Bibliography

  • Playing HERO (2005)
  • Under the Rubble (2012)
  • Rooftop Missile (2009)
  • Rooftop Missile: The Mysterious Message (2012)
  • Say-It-and-Do Club (2011)
  • Marugame Night (2013)
  • Shonen Tetsujin (2009)
  • Shampoo Stings the Eyes (2014)
  • In the Rain (2014)
  • Udon Time (2014)
  • The Neighboring Goddess (2015)
  • Handwriting Reveals All (2016)
  • Go to Work, Rockstar (2016)
  • Killing Time with Dogs and Cats (uncollected; 2005)
  • Killing Time with Dogs and Cats 2: Conditions of an Angel (uncollected; 2006)
  • Killing Time with Dogs and Cats 3: Say-It-and-Do Club (uncollected; 2006)
  • Killing Time with Dogs and Cats 4: Charm of Happiness (uncollected; 2007)
  • Convenience Store King (contribution; 2009)

Adaptations

  • TV special 'Super Reenactment! Mystery' featured a reenactment of 'Rooftop Missile' (NTV, 2012)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Blend of youth-focused themes and mysteryClear, accessible prose
Recurring Motifs
friendshipstruggles of youthmysteries in everyday life

Legacy

Recognized as a writer of coming-of-age mysteries that depict the feelings of youth. Best known for winning the Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! Grand Prize; also active in regional cultural initiatives (e.g., appointed tourism ambassador of Kameoka).

Archives

  • National Diet Library — catalogue/authority entries
  • VIAF (Virtual International Authority File record)
  • ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier record)

In Popular Culture

  • Works were featured on the TV program 'Super Reenactment! Mystery'
  • Frequently featured in local Kagawa media as a regional author

Quotes

  • Although presented as a mystery, the true theme is youth.
    Source: Kyoto Gakuen University (interview) (2009)

Trivia

  • Worked as a manager of a vintage clothing shop earlier in his career
  • Debuted in 2005 with 'HEROごっこ' (Playing HERO)
  • Received the Poplar Publishing Novel Award (Encouragement Prize) in 2007 for 'Thinking Under the Rubble'
  • Won the Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! Grand Prize in 2008 for 'Rooftop Missile'
  • Appointed tourism ambassador of Kameoka (Kyoto Prefecture) in 2009
  • Received the Kagawa Prefecture Cultural Arts Newcomer Award in 2015