The Tattoo Murder Case

by Akimitsu Takagi

Book Overview

Kinue Nomura survived World War II only to be murdered in Tokyo, her severed limbs discovered in a room locked from the inside. Gone is the part of her that bore one of the most beautiful full-body tattoos ever rendered. Kenzo Matsushita, a young doctor who was first to discover the crime scene, feels compelled to assist his detective brother, who is in charge of the case. But Kenzo has a secret: he was Kinue's lover, and soon his involvement in the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1569471568
• ISBN13: 9781569471562
• Release Date: July 2003
• Publisher: Soho Crime
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Intricate Portrayal of Art and History

Mythical and traditional history, present life and conditions in Japan, and ideals of beauty and art versus respectability appear embodied through the expertly designed tattoo on one of Takagi's characters. The Tattoo Murder Case is as intricately woven and colorful as the bewitching tattoo. The combination of the three tattoos create the mystery through illusion and provide the only clues to solve the case.Takagi weaves together the cultural history of Japan and the reality of the recently defeated country. The art of tattoo and the ancient stories told through the art fascinate many of the characters and introduce the readers to an aspect of this country's culturally rich past. However, in present day, the practice of this art is illegal and hidden away in secret shops, and the art is not accepted in society. Bombed buildings and mentions of American soldiers and trucks illustrate the physical aspects of the defeat.The actual detective in the story, Kyosuke Kamizu, steps forward rather late in the novel at a point at which the police and other characters involved are struggling with overwhelming frustration. The "boy genius" fills the role of a Sherlock Holmes character. Kamizu steps ahead of the other detective characters because he seems to fill both the characteristics of rationality and ideals of a romantic. Rationality and romanticism are both necessary in solving this case because it includes aspects of physics, illusion, and art.

Mesmerizing

In a concealed part of society in Japan where tattooed men and women still let their kimonos slip off to reveal their elaborate designs, Kenzo finds himself ensnared by the tattooed temptress Kinue shortly before her death. With beautiful snake imagery throughout the novel, from the cooler skin of a tattooed body resembling a "cold-blooded reptile" to the legend of the curse where the "snake eats the frog, the frog eats the slug, and the slug dissolves the snake," tattoos are disappearing from murder scenes with as much ease as a snake shedding its own skin. Obsessions abound as Kenzo and his police chief brother investigate, coming up with such suspects as Mr. Tattoo, also known as Professor Hayakawa, who persuades tattooed people to leave him their skins after their deaths; Ryokichi Usui, a member of the Most Wanted list; Takezo Mogami, the rich and overly-jealous lover of Kinue; and Tamae, Kinue's sister who disappeared during the world war. Finally turning to the "Boy Genius" Kyosuke, Kenzo and his brother are taught the importance of a good chess game and learn the secrets behind the locked room murder. The book tantalizes the senses with feelings of lust, intrigue in viewing banned tattoos, tastes of elaborate Japanese dishes, and the minds games between the killer and the investigators. The designs of the killer are as intricate and intriguing as the tattoos themselves; readers will be as "spellbound" by the novel as a "frog hypnotized by a voracious, gimlet-eyed snake."

An unexpected surprise.

When I first picked up this book, I was more interested in the cover art than the actual story. When I started reading it, I figured it would be one of those boring "Mr. Green with a wrench in the ballroom" types of mysteries. But it quite took me by surprise. This book had a surprisingly complicated plot, which I found highly interesting. Other than being a great mystery, it also explores the human nature side of things. Emotions, trust, and seeing what is really there were all combined to create this beautifully written plot. It just happens that I had written a story similar (but not close in quality) to this a year ago. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in Japanese authors, mysteries, or extremely brain teasing tension type books. This is a must read for anyone.

Under the Skin of the World of Japanese Tattoo

In a magnificent mystery written in 1947 the author explores the underworld of the Japanese tattoo masters, their secrecy, their rituals, and their beautiful art. A major plot element centers on a fictionalised version of the famous museum of Dr. Fukushi in Hiroshima, filled with the preserved tattooed skins of the Yakuza, and an archivist who years to collect the finest work, perhaps a bit prematurely. An absolute must-read for anyone involved in the tattoo world, it is also a story that presents clever turns of the plot until at last the amateur forensic detective puts all the clues together in a riveting conclusion. This is a recent translation of the work into English and features a beautiful cover with a photograph of a tattoo by the master tattoo artist Horiyoshi III.

Captivating

A very enjoyable read with interesting array of characters even for those who do not typically read mysteries. This story has both titillating sensuality and intriguing obsession. I enjoyed the contrast between the true nature of the characters and how others perceived them. I was also intrigued with the author's presentation of post-WWII Japan. This is a well-written translation that succeed in revealing the author's sense of Japan.