Soji Shimada
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese
logic mystery novelist. Born in the city of Fukuyama
, Hiroshima Prefecture
, Japan
, Mr. Shimada currently resides in Los Angeles, California
.
, and later Musashino Art University
as a Commercial Arts
design major.
After spending years as a dump truck
driver, free writer
, and musician
, Shimada made his debut as a novelist in 1981 when The Tokyo Zodiac Murders
(formerly known as Astrology’s Magic) remained as a finalist in the Edogawa Rampo Award
.
His most well-known works include the Detective Mitarai Series and the Detective Yoshiki Series. His works often involve themes such as the death penalty, Nihonjinron
(his theory on the Japanese people
), and Japanese and international culture. He is a strong supporter of amateur Honkaku (logic) mystery
writers. Following the trend of “Shakaiha Mystery” (Societal Logic mystery) led by Seicho Matsumoto
, Shimada was the pioneer of “Shinhonkaku” logic mystery genre. He bred authors such as Yukito Ayatsuji and Shogo Utano, and he led the mystery boom from the late 1980s to present day. As the father of “Shinhonkaku,” Shimada is sometimes referred to as “The Godfather of Shinhonkaku” or “God of Mystery.”
Though a grave critic
and writer
, Shimada is not the harsh, grim character that many imagine him to be; in fact, he is quite friendly in person. One could get a sense of his character in his humor mysteries such as Soseki and the London Mummy Murders and Let There Be Murder, Any Kind of Murder. These books, especially the latter, involves an extravagant mystery trick as well as elements of satire
, confusion, youth
, and survival. These colorful themes made the book into a great hit, and were made into a short series.
In recent years, Shimada has begun a new challenge—an animated series called the “Taiga Novels,” collaborated with the renowned illustrator Masamune Shirow
. Upon its kick-off in January 2008, he and Shirow plan to create a twelve-book series through the Kodansha
BOX publishers. On top of the BOX, Shimada holds a column in the celebrated magazine, the Weekly Shincho. He is also heading two newly-founded Amateur Mystery Novel contests—first, "The City of Roses Fukuyama Mystery Award” for amateur writers in Japan, and the “Soji Shimada Logic Mystery Award” in Taiwan
, sponsored by Crown Publishing company. Even past the age of sixty, Shimada’s passion for writing has become stronger than ever: he is truly the maestro of Shinhonkaku mystery
.
}
Press. A portion of the works have been
adapted into a TV series by TBS: Takeshi Yoshiki Series.*
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
logic mystery novelist. Born in the city of Fukuyama
Fukuyama, Hiroshima
is a city located on the Ashida River in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.As of January 31, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 465,238 and a population density of 898.02 persons per km². The total area is 461.23 km². After Hiroshima City, it is the largest city in Hiroshima Prefecture...
, Hiroshima Prefecture
Hiroshima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Hiroshima.- History :The area around Hiroshima was formerly divided into Bingo Province and Aki Province. This location has been a center of trade and culture since the beginning of Japan's recorded...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Mr. Shimada currently resides in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
.
Biography
Soji Shimada graduated from Seishikan High School in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima PrefectureHiroshima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Hiroshima.- History :The area around Hiroshima was formerly divided into Bingo Province and Aki Province. This location has been a center of trade and culture since the beginning of Japan's recorded...
, and later Musashino Art University
Musashino Art University
is a university in Kodaira, western Tokyo founded in 1962 and has roots going back to 1929.Teikoku Art School was founded in 1929; in 1948 it became Musashino Art School , and in 1962 it became Musashino Art University...
as a Commercial Arts
Commercial art
Commercial art is historically a subsector of creative services, referring to art created for commercial purposes, primarily advertising. The term has become increasingly anachronistic in favor of more contemporary terms such as graphic design and advertising art.Commercial art traditionally...
design major.
After spending years as a dump truck
Dump truck
A dump truck is a truck used for transporting loose material for construction. A typical dump truck is equipped with a hydraulically operated open-box bed hinged at the rear, the front of which can be lifted up to allow the contents to be deposited on the ground behind the truck at the site of...
driver, free writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, Shimada made his debut as a novelist in 1981 when The Tokyo Zodiac Murders
The Tokyo Zodiac Murders
The Tokyo Zodiac Murders is the debut mystery novel of Soji Shimada, the musician and writer on astrology who is best known as an author of over 100 mystery novels. Besides being Shimada's first novel and a best seller,...
(formerly known as Astrology’s Magic) remained as a finalist in the Edogawa Rampo Award
Edogawa Rampo Award
The , named after Edogawa Rampo, is a Japanese literary award which has been presented every year by the Mystery Writers of Japan since 1955.Though its name is similar to the Edgar Allan Poe Awards, which has been presented by Mystery Writers of America, the Edogawa Rampo award is not a counterpart...
.
His most well-known works include the Detective Mitarai Series and the Detective Yoshiki Series. His works often involve themes such as the death penalty, Nihonjinron
Nihonjinron
The term literally means theories/discussions about the Japanese. The term refers to a genre of texts that focuses on issues of Japanese national and cultural identity. The literature is vast, ranging over such varied fields as sociology, psychology, history, linguistics, philosophy, and even...
(his theory on the Japanese people
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
), and Japanese and international culture. He is a strong supporter of amateur Honkaku (logic) mystery
Mystery fiction
Mystery fiction is a loosely-defined term.1.It is often used as a synonym for detective fiction or crime fiction— in other words a novel or short story in which a detective investigates and solves a crime mystery. Sometimes mystery books are nonfiction...
writers. Following the trend of “Shakaiha Mystery” (Societal Logic mystery) led by Seicho Matsumoto
Seicho Matsumoto
was a Japanese writer.Seichō's works created new tradition of Japanese mystery / detective fiction. Dispensing with formulaic plot devices such as puzzles, Seichō incorporated elements of human psychology and ordinary life. In particular, his works often reflect a wider social context and postwar...
, Shimada was the pioneer of “Shinhonkaku” logic mystery genre. He bred authors such as Yukito Ayatsuji and Shogo Utano, and he led the mystery boom from the late 1980s to present day. As the father of “Shinhonkaku,” Shimada is sometimes referred to as “The Godfather of Shinhonkaku” or “God of Mystery.”
Though a grave critic
Critic
A critic is anyone who expresses a value judgement. Informally, criticism is a common aspect of all human expression and need not necessarily imply skilled or accurate expressions of judgement. Critical judgements, good or bad, may be positive , negative , or balanced...
and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, Shimada is not the harsh, grim character that many imagine him to be; in fact, he is quite friendly in person. One could get a sense of his character in his humor mysteries such as Soseki and the London Mummy Murders and Let There Be Murder, Any Kind of Murder. These books, especially the latter, involves an extravagant mystery trick as well as elements of satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
, confusion, youth
Youth
Youth is the time of life between childhood and adulthood . Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary. An individual's actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages.-Usage:Around the world, the terms "youth",...
, and survival. These colorful themes made the book into a great hit, and were made into a short series.
In recent years, Shimada has begun a new challenge—an animated series called the “Taiga Novels,” collaborated with the renowned illustrator Masamune Shirow
Masamune Shirow
is an internationally renowned manga artist, born on November 23, 1961.Masamune Shirow is a pen name, based on a famous swordsmith, Masamune. He is best known for the manga Ghost in the Shell, which has since been turned into two theatrical anime movies, two anime TV series, an anime TV movie, and...
. Upon its kick-off in January 2008, he and Shirow plan to create a twelve-book series through the Kodansha
Kodansha
, the largest Japanese publisher, produces the manga magazines Nakayoshi, Afternoon, Evening, and Weekly Shonen Magazine, as well as more literary magazines such as Gunzō, Shūkan Gendai, and the Japanese dictionary Nihongo Daijiten. The company has its headquarters in Bunkyō, Tokyo...
BOX publishers. On top of the BOX, Shimada holds a column in the celebrated magazine, the Weekly Shincho. He is also heading two newly-founded Amateur Mystery Novel contests—first, "The City of Roses Fukuyama Mystery Award” for amateur writers in Japan, and the “Soji Shimada Logic Mystery Award” in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, sponsored by Crown Publishing company. Even past the age of sixty, Shimada’s passion for writing has become stronger than ever: he is truly the maestro of Shinhonkaku mystery
Mystery fiction
Mystery fiction is a loosely-defined term.1.It is often used as a synonym for detective fiction or crime fiction— in other words a novel or short story in which a detective investigates and solves a crime mystery. Sometimes mystery books are nonfiction...
.
Detective Kiyoshi Mitarai Series
}
Detective Takeshi Yoshiki Series
All works, with the exception of "The Fading "Crystal Express,"" have been published by KobunshaKobunsha
Kobunsha is a Japanese publishing company. It publishes literature, manga novels, and women's magazines.Kobunsha was first established on October 1, 1945 and belongs to the Kodansha group....
Press. A portion of the works have been
adapted into a TV series by TBS: Takeshi Yoshiki Series.*
External links
- Global Mystery Fusion Watch - Soji Shimada Official site
- Soji Shimada Mystery Award