hooklinebooks Chapter 177 A Gathering of Literary Stars
Chapter 177 A Gathering of Literary Stars
Chapter 177 A Gathering of Literary Stars
February 13, 1980, 2 p.m.
Kiyoshi Kasai is in his study at home in Meguro Ward, Tokyo.
Based on yesterday's newspaper, a fierce "critic battle" is being waged against the group of "jealous and down-on-their-luck mystery writers" who are smearing Maijo Kyosuke!
Just as Kiyoshi Kasai was having a burst of inspiration and was about to use his "philosophical thinking" to strike back at the loudest "red-eyed down-on-his-luck writer".
The sound of a gentle knock on the study door reached Kasai Kiyoshi's ears.
It's not that Kasai Kiyoshi is being pretentious, it's just that being disturbed while he's writing is a very unpleasant experience.
Kiyoshi Kasai turned around with some displeasure.
Then he saw the butler, Komatsu, standing by the crack in the door.
She smiled kindly at herself, then raised her thumb and little finger and placed them beside her ear.
"Sir, it's Mr. Gonda from the Japan Mystery Critics Association looking for you~"
Although Kiyoshi Kasai didn't know what important matter Manji Gonda wanted to discuss with him, Manji Gonda was, after all, the vice president of the "Japan Mystery Critics Association".
Thinking of all this, Kiyoshi Kasai stood up and went to the living room, picking up the microphone that was on the table.
"Mr. Gonda — I am Kiyoshi Kasai."
As soon as Kasai Kiyoshi finished speaking, he heard Gonda Manji's voice coming from the other end of the phone.
But those two simple sentences from Gonda Manji stirred up a storm of emotions in Kasai Kiyoshi!
"Xiaojie, Professor Nakajima is back from Karuizawa. Unless there are special circumstances, please be at the Mystery Criticism Association at 8:00 AM tomorrow."
"Oh, by the way, I have some good news for you."
"After Mr. Nakajima returned, he completed all of Mr. Maishiro's works. The purpose of this meeting is to focus on Mr. Maishiro's works and conduct a detailed evaluation of them."
Although Manji Gonda hung up the phone before Kiyoshi Kasai could respond after he finished speaking.
However, Kiyoshi Kasai remained holding the microphone, stunned in place.
The reason why Kiyoshi Kasai was so excited was very simple.
Kiyoshi Kasai joined the Japan Mystery Critics Association last year so that he could have the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss with this man, a direct disciple of Edogawa Ranpo, who is hailed as the "guardian of the mystery criticism world".
After all, Kiyoshi Kasai genuinely loves mystery novels.
He not only wants to become a famous mystery writer, but also a famous mystery critic.
Unlike mystery writers, mystery critics don't simply grow by writing at home.
Reasoning critics need to engage in discussion, exchange ideas, and debate to improve their commentary skills.
Kiyoshi Kasai's idea is very simple and pure. He believes that mystery commentary is like playing chess. You will become better and better by playing against skilled opponents.
Thus, after going through numerous hardships and passing layers of examinations, Kiyoshi Kasai finally joined the "Japan Mystery Critic Association," hoping to have in-depth discussions with the master Kazutaro Nakajima.
But the imagination is beautiful, while the reality is harsh.
Since I joined the "Japan Mystery Critics Association" last year.
I have never met Mr. Kazutaro Nakajima, the founder and president of the "Japan Mystery Critics Association".
And most importantly, it seems that apart from meeting the vice president of the Japan Mystery Critics Association, Manji Gonda, he has hardly met any other members of the Japan Mystery Critics Association.
And this time! When Kiyoshi Kasai learned that Kazutaro Nakajima, who had never shown his face before, was going to make an appearance, how could he not be excited? How could he not be thrilled?
Not to mention, this time Kazutaro Nakajima is going to evaluate his idol, Kyosuke Maijo, which makes Kiyoshi Kasai even happier.
It's as if I can already see Mr. Maijo Kyosuke receiving a standing ovation at the Japan Mystery Critics Association!
Komiya-ryo has been taking care of Kasai Kiyoshi's daily life since 1948. Although he has been doing this for 32 years, he does not feel tired at all.
The reason for this is not only the Kasai family's generous spending.
There's also the affection Komiya-ryo has for Kasai Kiyoshi.
Because Kasai Kiyoshi's parents were very busy with work.
It's no exaggeration to say that the Komiya-ryo (Primary School) staff watched Kasai Kiyoshi grow up from childhood, and that he was like their own child.
So when Komiya saw Kasai Kiyoshi holding the microphone, his face practically beaming with joy, she asked curiously, "What did Mr. Gonda say that made you so happy?"
Upon hearing Komiya's words, Kasai Kiyoshi snapped out of his reverie. Seeing Komiya picking vegetables in the kitchen not far away, he put the receiver back on the landline and replied with a smile, "Aunt Komiya, of course I'm happy, because I'm going to see Mr. Nakajima Kazutaro tomorrow!"
"Katarou Nakajima is—"
Kasai Kiyoshi, worried that Komiya Yoriko might not know who Nakajima Kazutaro was, was about to explain when Komiya Yoriko replied with a smile, "I know, Mr. Nakajima Kazutaro is the guardian deity of the Japanese mystery critic world, the president of the Japan Mystery Critics Association."
Kasai Kiyoshi tilted his head and looked at Komiya Dormitory with a puzzled expression, because he didn't seem to remember ever talking about these things with Komiya Dormitory.
But Komiya seemed to have read Kasai Kiyoshi's mind and continued, "Sir, don't think that just because I'm old, I don't know anything~"
"When I have free time, I often read the newspaper. I'm very familiar with your works, reviews of your famous mystery novels, and the recently popular Ms. Maishiro."
"As for Mr. Nakajima Kazutaro, he is someone you would dream of meeting."
When Kasai Kiyoshi heard Komiya's words, his face turned red. He scratched the back of his head and realized that he had been engaged in a "critic war" with "red-eyed writers" who were smearing Maishiro Kyosuke in the newspapers.
My hair, which hasn't been trimmed in a long time, is almost reaching my shoulders.
Thinking of this, Kasai Kiyoshi rubbed his hair with his hands and smiled at Komiya, who was preparing dinner in the kitchen, "Aunt Komiya, after dinner, could you trim my hair?"
"I don't want to see Mr. Kazutaro Nakajima with this bird's nest-like hairstyle."
Upon hearing what Kasai Kiyoshi said, Komiya-ryo, while picking vegetables, smiled and gave Kasai Kiyoshi an "OK" sign.
Kasai Kiyoshi returned to his study after seeing that Komiya had agreed.
Looking at the "red-eyed writers" who were relentlessly smearing Maijo Kyosuke in the newspapers, Kasai Kiyoshi remained calm and unperturbed.
Because as long as the discussion about Kyosuke Maijo concludes at tomorrow's "Japan Mystery Critics Association" meeting.
As expected, these envious people will immediately disappear in shame!
"I'll let you annoying bunch off the hook for now!"
Kiyoshi Kasai tore up the manuscript he had already written and threw it into the wastebasket.
He then rolled up his sleeves and headed to the kitchen to help out in the small palace quarters.
1980年2月14日，早上7点30分。
Toshima Ward, Tokyo, Ikebukuro West.
Kiyoshi Kasai meticulously combed her neatly trimmed hair and wore a suit specially designed for important occasions.
We arrived at the meeting room of the Japan Mystery Critics Association, located in the west of Ikebukuro.
This is a conference room that can accommodate more than 100 people.
Although there was still half an hour left before the time given by Gonda Manji.
But the meeting room was already full of people.
This includes many well-known critics who are also writers.
Most of these people were wearing kimonos or suits, and their average age was at least fifty years old.
Every time Kiyoshi Kasai attends a meeting of the Japan Mystery Critics Association, it's a small gathering of a few people or a dozen people.
Seeing so many critics and writers at once this time made me a little nervous, and I didn't know where to sit or how to greet these seniors.
Just as Kasai Kiyoshi was getting increasingly anxious.
Suddenly, he heard the familiar voice of Gonda Manji behind him: "Hey! Kiyoshi, you've come just in time."
"Come on, help me! These things are weighing me down!"
1
Kiyoshi Kasai turned around and saw Manji Gonda standing in front of the conference room door, carrying two oversized black plastic bags in each hand.
His face was covered in sweat, and even his white shirt was mostly soaked.
When Kasai Kiyoshi saw Gonda Manji, it was like seeing a savior, and he hurriedly walked towards Gonda Manji.
Gonda Manji handed an oversized plastic bag to Kasai Kiyoshi. Its enormous size, like a lead ball, nearly caused Kasai Kiyoshi to drop it. "Mr. Gonda—what is this?"
With one arm free, Gonda Manji wiped the sweat that was almost dripping from his eyes and said breathlessly, "It's Nakajima-sensei—"
Kasai Kiyoshi struggled to lift the enormous plastic bag with both hands: "What's wrong, Nakajima-sensei?"
Manji Gonda wiped the sweat from his face again: "Yesterday afternoon, Professor Nakajima told me that we should hold a critics' meeting with Professor Maijo as the main topic."
"I immediately contacted nearly a hundred members of the Japan Mystery Critics Association, along with Professor Marutani and Professor Fukunaga, and arranged for their accommodation, meals, and refreshments."
"As it turns out, this morning, Professor Nakajima suddenly told me that the nephew of Mr. Hirakawa, the president of Dajia Pharmaceutical, is a member of the Japan Mystery Critic Association."
"Because Mr. Otsuka Hirakawa is a big fan of Mr. Maishiro, he learned that Mr. Nakajima Kazutaro was going to comment on Mr. Maishiro's work."
"He then took out ten million yen to fund the development of our association, and incidentally bought membership in the Japan Mystery Review Association."
"My request is to hear what the critics have to say about Teacher Wucheng."
Kasai Kiyoshi, carrying an enormous plastic bag, was panting heavily. Gritting her teeth, she asked, "So? What's inside this bag—"
Gonda Manji put the bag on the ground, took out a blue bottle from the bag, twisted it open and poured it into his mouth. After finishing the water, he shook the bottle at Kasai Kiyoshi and said, "This is it, the latest electrolyte water developed by Kasai Pharmaceutical, called Pocari Sweat."
"In short, these can be considered a gift from Mr. Otsuka Hirakawa to us members of the Japan Mystery Critics Association."
After finishing his sentence, Gonda Manji leaned close to Kasai Kiyoshi's ear and whispered, "But—calling it a gift, isn't it really just a way to promote their new product?"
With a smile, Gonda Manji picked up the black plastic bag again and patted Kasai Kiyoshi on the shoulder: "Kiyoshi, we need to hurry. We must distribute these drinks to every guest before eight o'clock. We can't let their ten million yen go down the drain."
Kiyoshi Kasai nodded, picked up the oversized plastic bag, and followed Manji Gonda toward the group in the conference room.
After twenty minutes of distributing "Pocari Sweat," Kiyoshi Kasai finally understood why becoming a member of the "Japan Mystery Critics Association" was so difficult.
I also learned just how prestigious the Japan Mystery Critics Association is!
Among the people present at this moment, there was none other than Kazutaro Nakajima, who was hailed as the "guardian of Japanese mystery commentary."
There's also Seicho Matsumoto, the "father of social mystery."
"Master of Classic Mystery" Akimitsu Takagi, "Master of Travel Mystery" Kyotaro Nishimura, "Master of Historical Mystery" Shunchen Chen, "Japan's Agatha Christie" Etsuko Niki —
Among them is even Ryotaro Shiba, the "Grand Master of History" who wrote "Xiang Yu and Liu Bang" and "The Tale of the Thief of the Nation"!
And Kenzaburo Oe, who became the youngest author in history to receive the "Jun'ichirō Tanizaki Prize" with "The Football of the First Year of Man'en" —
If we say that the judging panel of major awards usually represents half of the Japanese mystery literature world.
So the people sitting in the meeting room of the Japan Mystery Critics Association right now represent the entire Japanese literary world!
Because among everyone present, apart from Kasai Kiyoshi himself, every single one of them was a well-known and prominent figure in the Japanese literary world!
Trying to find someone among these seniors who has never won a major award is like finding a needle in a haystack!
Kiyoshi Kasai wiped the sweat from his forehead, glanced at his watch, and realized it was almost eight o'clock. He then walked towards the last row of chairs.
Compared to the seniors present, someone like me, who has never even been nominated for a prestigious award, can only be an unknown person sitting in the back row.
When Gonda Manji saw Kasai Kiyoshi heading towards the back row, he immediately reached out and grabbed her hand: "Kiyoshi, where are you going?"
"You can sit with me in the first row."
Upon hearing Gonda Manji's words, Kasai Kiyoshi glanced at the first row, which was filled with Japan's top-tier grandmasters, and shook his head. "Let's forget it, Mr. Gonda. How could someone of my caliber sit in a place like that?"
Gonda Manji, holding Kasai Kiyoshi's hand, led her towards the first row: "Kiyoshi, don't worry. The Japan Mystery Critics Association, while not as informal as Maishiro-sensei's New Orthodox Mystery Club, doesn't require you to be mindful of your social status."
"But you should know that I invited you here."
"I can't control what those masters do outside, but within the Japan Mystery Critics Association, I am the vice president."
"I tell you where to sit, and you can sit there."
Kiyoshi Kasai sat in a chair, with Manji Gonda on his left and Kyotaro Nishimura with a smiling expression on his right.
Although Kiyoshi Kasai dared to criticize a group of mystery writers who smeared Kyosuke Maijo in the newspaper.
However, when faced with writers at the level of "masters of mystery" or above, Kiyoshi Kasai had no other thoughts besides looking up to and admiring them.
Chat? I've only written one book, what do I have to talk about with a grandmaster like Kyotaro Nishimura?
If Kyotaro Nishimura were to ask me who I am, what books I've written, what awards I've won, and whether I'm confident in winning the Naoki Prize or the Akutagawa Prize, how would I answer?
Thinking of this, Kiyoshi Kasai awkwardly turned his head and whispered to Manji Gonda beside him, "Mr. Gonda, is our 'Japan Mystery Criticism Association' really that powerful?"
I noticed it when I was delivering water.
The seniors here aren't just from the mystery genre; I just saw grandmasters like Ryotaro Shiba and Kenzaburo Oe!
Gonda Manji wasn't surprised by Kasai Kiyoshi's words. He simply took a sip of water and calmly said, "Isn't this normal?"
Although the history of the Japan Mystery Critics Association is not as long as that of the Edogawa Ranpo Prize, it is almost twenty years old this year.
97
"You know, right? Mr. Nakajima Kazutaro is a direct disciple of Mr. Edogawa Ranpo."
"This personal instruction is not in the sense of being a renowned mystery writer like Edogawa Ranpo, but rather in the sense of being a mystery critic like Edogawa Ranpo."
"Since Edogawa Ranpo is considered the father of Japanese mystery novels and also the most outstanding mystery critic in Japanese history," it will naturally attract many mystery writers and novelists to join our association.
"And mystery novels, as Japan's national literature," are also the most widely read literary genre, naturally attracting many readers and authors who enjoy mystery novels.
"Among them are writers like Kenzaburo Oe, who originally loved mystery novels and used the narrative style, structure, and techniques of mystery novels to write masterpieces like 'The Football Team of the First Year of Man'en'."
"As for grandmasters like Ryotaro Shiba, they are naturally here because they were old acquaintances of Master Chen Shunchen."
"As for other literary masters, they either joined because of Edogawa Ranpo, Yokomizo Seishi, or Matsumoto Seichō."
"It's a pity you're too late, Xiaojie. When I was twenty-eight, I was still with the Japan Mystery Critics Association and I met three masters—Kawabata Yasunari, Mishima Yukio, and Tanizaki Jun'ichiro—all here at the same time."
The words spoken by Gonda Manji with a calm expression left Kasai Kiyoshi speechless, his mouth agape.
In shock.
Kiyoshi Kasai finally understood why Manji Gonda was able to serve as the vice president of the Japan Mystery Critics Association, which boasts so many masters.
Even disregarding Manji Gonda's ability to win the "Mystery Writers of Japan Award" and serve as a judge for the "Edogawa Ranpo Award" and the "Mystery Writers of Japan Award" for many years.
Not everyone can possess the ability to be intimidated by anyone!