The Tattoo Murder Case

"The Tattoo Murder" redirects here. For the Indian film, see The Tattoo Murders.

The Tattoo Murder Case (刺青殺人事件, Shisei satsujin jiken) is a 1948 novel by Akimitsu Takagi. It was published in English in 1998, translated by Deborah Boliver Boehm.[1] The British edition uses the title The Tattoo Murder.

John Krewson of A.V. Club described it as the author's "most popular book", and according to him, as of 2002, "It remains one of the most widely read mysteries in Japan."[2]

Story

Kyosuke Kamizu, the central character, is a medical student who investigates murders. In this story, the victim is Kinue Nomura, the daughter of tattoo artist Horiyasu, found in a bathroom, which was locked.

Reception

In 1948 the book won the award from the Mystery Writers Club.[2]

Marilyn Stasio wrote an overall positive review, stating that the work had a "macabre allure" around the "sensational crime" even though the police operations depicted in the book were "clumsy" and the translated text was "overly formal" and had "wooden dialogue."[1]

According to Krewson, Takagi is "Takagi is a powerful plotter and constructor of fascinating, complex characters."[2] Therefore, because of that and the "unusual setting and premise," Krewson stated it "is a delightful, different book."[2]

Kirkus Reviews concluded that the work is "Intricate, fantastic, and utterly absorbing."[3] The review ends with the words "More, please."[3]

Stephen Mansfield of The Japan Times wrote that the work reminds him of Tadahiko Hayashi's photography, and that "More than a mere novel, Takagi has left us a document of the times."[4]

See also

Other novels by Takagi:

References

  1. ^ a b Stasio, Marilyn (1998-03-08). "Crime". The New York Times. Retrieved 2025-08-23. - Alternate URL.
  2. ^ a b c d Krewson, John (2002-03-29). "Akimitsu Takagi (Deborah Boliver Boehm, Translator): The Tattoo Murder Case". A.V. Club. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  3. ^ a b "The Tattoo Murder Case". Kirkus Reviews. 1998-02-25. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  4. ^ Mansfield, Stephen (2014-02-01). "The Tattoo Murder Case". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2025-08-23.

Further reading

  • 村上, 裕徳 (May 2025). "高木彬光・作品「刺青殺人事件」および「妖婦の宿」および「能面殺人事件」に於ける、江戸川乱歩や横溝正史・作品および坂口安吾・作品「不連続殺人事件」の相互影響". 『新青年』趣味: 『新青年』研究会機関誌 (in Japanese) (25). Tokyo: 『新青年』趣味編集委員会: 62–92. - See profile at CiNii.
  • 桂, 千穂; 細谷, 隆広; 井土, 紀州 (June 2016). "発掘シナリオシリーズ 座談会 伊藤大輔シナリオ: 『刺青殺人事件』を巡って". Scenario (シナリオ) (in Japanese). Vol. 72, no. 6. Tokyo: Japan Writers Guild. pp. 68–73. - See profile at CiNii. See profile of magazine issue.
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