Inspector Imanishi Investigates

by Seichō Matsumoto

Book Overview

In the wee hours of a 1960s Tokyo morning, a dead body is found under the rails of a train, and the victim's face is so badly damaged that police have a hard time figuring out the victim's identity.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0939149281
• ISBN13: 9780939149285
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Soho Press
• Length: 313 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

A Very Japanese Detective, and a Trip through 1960s Japan

Seicho Matsumoto is apparently extremely well known in Japan, but was unknown to me. The book draws one in slowly, but it becomes worthwhile. In some ways the hero is a Japanese Maigret, but lower in the hierarchy of a then VERY hierarchical society. A psychological detective story, with complex clues and twists like a Sherlock Holmes (but Imanishi gets there by stolid persistence, not drug-fuelled brilliance). Also a wonderful visit to Japan of the early Sixties, when poverty was still recent, when rural houses were still thatched. When the country was not yet in thrall to Gucci (an incredible percentage of Tokyoites now own at least one Luis Vuitton item..) The translator has for me done a wonderful job of conveying the nature of the original Japanese: I have not read that for this book, but I do know the importance of honorifics, level of formality, depth of bows. Yes in places it can sound a bit stilted to us, but then these people are not, like, Valley Girls and "awesome". As I read this book I could hear the cadence of the Japanese in my mind, envisage the depth of the bows and who was bowing more deeply to whom. Indirectly the book gives a magnificent picture of traditional Japan, its strengths and weaknesses. Although even then there was the love of clever gadgets... I had difficulty getting going, but then I could not put it down.

1960 Japan Magical Mystery Tour..........

This is a very atmospheric, slightly dense procedural, with twists and turns that go through Tokyo, the war, Osaka, several villages, and the Japanese Rail system. Not to mention a Magrait-like inspector with all his family and middle aged concerns. The cast of characters includes some 20-something nouveau artists/ musicians, a wise elderly abacas maker, and a victim, at first unknown, but who is described as saint-like by all who knew him. Not to mention a look at Japanese society, one so polite that everyone says "Welcome", even to the police; where it is normal to bow, and where please and thank you are seemingly obligatory. Interestingly, almost no one looses his temper, and even arrests are made as discretely and politely as possible. A very fine and different police tale!

A mystery novel set in 1960s Japan.

Inspector Imanishi is trying to solve a murder with only one clue, the name Kameda. This story is a police procedural story that does a good job of showing us Japan in the 60s, where youth worships the new idols, such as young actors and musicians, and ancient heritage fights with political upheaval. The old and the new meet in post-war Japan, yet it is not thrust down our throats.Seicho Matsumoto is writing about Japan for Japanese readers. He does not need to explain every single detail of culture and society. He does a great job because, frankly, it was published in 1961!What you get is a fast flowing, showing-us-not-telling-us, novel of Japan and one character who has to swim through it to solve a crime. Once you pick it up you won't be able to put it down till you finish.

Classic murder mystery - they don't make them like that!

When I told my mother, who is Japanese, that I had found a great Japanese mystery writer. She was shocked. Her response was "I read his books when I was young!". But we both had to agree that Matsumoto Seicho was a classic murder mystery writer. Just classic - people don't write mysteries like that anymore. He has written so many books, I wish more would be translated into English. If you are not a Japan-phile, you will enjoy this book emensely!

Persistence Pays Off

This is a terrific mystery that requires a bit of patience on the reader's part. Inspector Imanishi is the quintessential salaryman for whom the traditional values of hard work and self sacrifice pay off. Mr. Matsumoto expects no less from his readers. This is a real puzzler and a terrific Japanese slice of life. It's not an easy read, but if you can let yourself be drawn in to the story, it is most rewarding.