is a fictional Japanese

detective A detective is an investigator, usually a member of a law enforcement agency. They often collect information to solve crimes by talking to witnesses and informants, collecting physical evidence, or searching records in databases. This leads t ...

created by

Seishi Yokomizo was a Japanese mystery novelist, known for creating the fictional detective Kosuke Kindaichi. Early life Yokomizo was born in the city of Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture. He read detective stories as a boy and in 1921, while employed by the Daiichi Ban ...

, a renowned mystery novelist. His first case, '' The Honjin Murders'', is a novel of locked room murder in an old family, which many people regard as one of the best Japanese detective novels, was published in 1946. Kindaichi went on to feature in another 76 novels, selling more than 55 million books and appearing in numerous television and stage adaptations.

Works in translation

Pushkin Vertigo has published English translations of the Kindaichi series since 2020. ''The Inugami Clan'' (1951) and ''The Honjin Murders'' (1946) were published in 2020, ''The Village of Eight Graves'' (1951) published in 2021, and ''Gokumon Island'' in June 2022. One other novel is available in French translation. * ''La Ritournelle du démon'' (original title: 悪魔の手まり歌　''Akuma no Temari Uta'') (1959)

Cases

The Kosuke Kindaichi series consists of 77 cases. * * *

Bat and Slug Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera.''cheir'', "hand" and πτερόν''pteron'', "wing". With their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Bats are more agile in flight than most bir ...

(1947) * The Case of the Black Cat Restaurant (1947) *

A Killer A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes'' ...

(1947–1932) * Black Orchid Princess (1948) * * * Death Mask (1949) * * Mysterious Woman (1950) * Under Hundred Suns (1951) * *

A Crow A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes'' ...

(1951) * *

Dead Man's Seat (novel) ''Dead Man's Seat'' ( pt, O Lugar do Morto) is a 1984 Portuguese drama film directed by António-Pedro Vasconcelos. The film was selected as the Portuguese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 57th Academy Awards, but was not accepted ...

(1952) *

Lake of Mud A lake is an area filled with water, localized in a basin, surrounded by land, and distinct from any river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake. Lakes lie on land and are not part of the ocean, although, like the much larger ...

(1953) *

Undying Butterfly ''Clive Barker's Undying'' is a Survival horror, horror first-person shooter video game developed by EA Los Angeles and published by Electronic Arts, EA Games. The game's story was written by acclaimed horror writer Clive Barker. He also provided ...

(1953) * Death Mask's Return (1953) * The Bride in the Labyrinth (1954) * Evil Man (1954) *

Garden of Demon A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the cultivation, display, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The single feature identifying even the wildest wild garden is ''control''. The garden can incorporate both ...

(1954) * Yurei Otoko (1954) *

Fallen Angel In the Abrahamic religions, fallen angels are angels who were expelled from heaven. The literal term "fallen angel" never appears in any Abrahamic religious texts, but is used to describe angels cast out of heaven"Mehdi Azaiez, Gabriel Said ...

(1954) *

Mirage Island (novel) Mirage Island is a rocky island long lying west of Cape Mousse on the coast of Antarctica. It was charted in 1950 by the French Antarctic Expedition and so named by them because mirage A mirage is a naturally-occurring optical phenomenon ...

(1954) *

The Sleeping Bride ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in En ...

(1954) * Three Heads Tower (1955) *

Vampire Moth is a 1956 Japanese film directed by Nobuo Nakagawa. The film is about a professional nude model stalked by a bizarre, unknown man wearing a hideous mask. It has been described as the first Japanese vampire film, but in which the creature is reve ...

(1955) *

A Deadly Pond A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes'' ...

(1955) *

Head A head is the part of an organism which usually includes the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, nose, and mouth, each of which aid in various sensory functions such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Some very simple animals may no ...

(1955) *

A Ghost in the Old Yard A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes'' ...

(1955) *

The Poisoned Arrow ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in En ...

(1956) *

A Beautiful Waxwork A, or a, is the first Letter (alphabet), letter and the first vowel of the Latin alphabet, Latin alphabet, used in the English alphabet, modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name ...

(1956) * Black Wing (1956) * Death Angel's Arrow (1956) * A Calendar of Witch (1956) *

A Cat in the Darkness A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes'' ...

(1956) * Lady in the Dream (1956) * The Seven Masks (1956) *

Tragedy at the House of Meiro Tragedy (from the grc-gre, τραγῳδία, ''tragōidia'', ''tragōidia'') is a genre of drama based on human suffering and, mainly, the terrible or sorrowful events that befall a main character. Traditionally, the intention of tragedy i ...

(1956) * Field of Beast (1956) *

Head of a Playing Cards Table A head is the part of an organism which usually includes the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, nose, and mouth, each of which aid in various sensory functions such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Some very simple animals may not h ...

(1957) *

Lady in the Mist The word ''lady'' is a term for a girl or woman, with various connotations. Once used to describe only women of a high social class or status, the equivalent of lord, now it may refer to any adult woman, as gentleman can be used for men. Inform ...

(1957) * A Lady During the Wartime (1957) *

Lady in the Mud The word ''lady'' is a term for a girl or woman, with various connotations. Once used to describe only women of a high social class or status, the equivalent of lord, now it may refer to any adult woman, as gentleman can be used for men. Inform ...

(1957) *

Lady in the Suitcase The word ''lady'' is a term for a girl or woman, with various connotations. Once used to describe only women of a high social class or status, the equivalent of lord, now it may refer to any adult woman, as gentleman can be used for men. Inform ...

(1957) *

Lady in the Mirror The word ''lady'' is a term for a girl or woman, with various connotations. Once used to describe only women of a high social class or status, the equivalent of lord, now it may refer to any adult woman, as gentleman can be used for men. Inform ...

(1957) * Lady in the Umbrella (1957) * Lady in the Cell (1957) *

Murder at the Kagami Beach Murder is the unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse, especially the unlawful killing of another human with malice aforethought. ("The killing of another person without justification or excuse, especially the c ...

(1957) *

Mystery of the 13th Boat Mystery, The Mystery, Mysteries or The Mysteries may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional characters *Mystery, a cat character in ''Emily the Strange'' Films * ''Mystery'' (2012 film), a 2012 Chinese drama film * ''Mystery'' ( ...

(1957) *

A Devil's rhyme for playing ball A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes'' ...

(1957–1959) *

Beautiful Lady in the Jar Beautiful, an adjective used to describe things as possessing beauty, may refer to: Film and theater * ''Beautiful'' (2000 film), an American film directed by Sally Field * ''Beautiful'' (2008 film), a South Korean film directed by Juhn Jai-h ...

(1957) *

Lady of the Fan The word ''lady'' is a term for a girl or woman, with various connotations. Once used to describe only women of a high social class or status, the equivalent of lord, now it may refer to any adult woman, as gentleman can be used for men. Inform ...

(1957) * Girl's Shadow Under the Door (1957) * Demon's Birthday Festival (1958) *

Lady in the Cave The word ''lady'' is a term for a girl or woman, with various connotations. Once used to describe only women of a high social class or status, the equivalent of lord, now it may refer to any adult woman, as gentleman can be used for men. Inform ...

(1958) *

Lady in the Coffin The word ''lady'' is a term for a girl or woman, with various connotations. Once used to describe only women of a high social class or status, the equivalent of lord, now it may refer to any adult woman, as gentleman can be used for men. Inform ...

(1958) *

Cross of Fire ''Cross of Fire'' is a 1989 American television miniseries based on the rape and murder of Madge Oberholtzer by D. C. Stephenson, a highly successful leader of the Indiana branch of Ku Klux Klan. It stars John Heard as Stephenson and Mel Harri ...

(1958) * Lady in the Red (1958) *

Lady in the Pupil The word ''lady'' is a term for a girl or woman, with various connotations. Once used to describe only women of a high social class or status, the equivalent of lord, now it may refer to any adult woman, as gentleman can be used for men. Inform ...

(1958) *

Spade Queen A spade is a tool primarily for digging consisting of a long handle and blade, typically with the blade narrower and flatter than the common shovel. Early spades were made of riven wood or of animal bones (often shoulder blades). After the ar ...

(1958) *

Rose Villa A rose is either a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus ''Rosa'' (), in the family Rosaceae (), or the flower it bears. There are over three hundred species and tens of thousands of cultivars. They form a group of plants that can be e ...

(1958) *

A Demon Child A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes'' ...

(1958–1959) * Inside a Perfume's Mind (1958) *

Villa in a Fog A villa is a type of house that was originally an ancient Roman upper class country house. Since its origins in the Roman villa, the idea and function of a villa have evolved considerably. After the fall of the Roman Republic, villas became sm ...

(1958) *

Human Face (novel) The face is the front of an animal's head that features the eyes, nose and mouth, and through which animals express many of their emotions. The face is crucial for human identity, and damage such as scarring or developmental deformities may affe ...

(1960) *

Female Leech Female (symbol: ♀) is the sex of an organism that produces the large non-motile ova (egg cells), the type of gamete (sex cell) that fuses with the male gamete during sexual reproduction. A female has larger gametes than a male. Females an ...

(1960) * Black and White (1960–1961) *

One Hundred Lips Song of Satan 1 (one, unit, unity) is a number representing a single or the only entity. 1 is also a numerical digit and represents a single unit of counting or measurement. For example, a line segment of ''unit length'' is a line segment of length 1. I ...

(1962) *

Lady in the Sundial The word ''lady'' is a term for a girl or woman, with various connotations. Once used to describe only women of a high social class or status, the equivalent of lord, now it may refer to any adult woman, as gentleman can be used for men. Inform ...

(1962) *

The End of Hunting ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in En ...

(1962) * Black Tiger at Night (1963) *

Cat Mansion The cat (''Felis catus'') is a domestic species of small carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species in the family Felidae and is commonly referred to as the domestic cat or house cat to distinguish it from the wild members of t ...

(1963) * A Batman (1964) * A Masked Party (1974) * * Demon's Island (1978–1980)

In popular culture

Director

Kon Ichikawa was a Japanese film director and screenwriter. His work displays a vast range in genre and style, from the anti-war films ''The Burmese Harp (1956 film), The Burmese Harp'' (1956) and ''Fires on the Plain (1959 film), Fires on the Plain'' (1959 ...

made five films about Kindaichi, starring

Koji Ishizaka Koji, Kōji, Kohji or Kouji may refer to: * Kōji (given name), a masculine Japanese given name * Kōji (Heian period) (康治), Japanese era, 1142–1144 * Kōji (Muromachi period) (弘治), Japanese era, 1555–1558 * Koji orange, a Japanese cit ...

: *'' The Inugami Family'' (1976) *''Akuma no temari-uta'' (1977) *''Gokumon-to'' (1977) *'' Rhyme of Vengeance'' (1978) *'' The House of Hanging on Hospital Slope'' (1979) * ''The Inugamis'' (2006) Director Nobuhiko Obayashi made a parody film in 1979 titled ''The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi'' A profile of Kosuke appears at the end of the manga '' Case Closed'' Volume 6. , the main character of ''

Kindaichi Case Files is a Japanese mystery manga series based on the crime solving adventures of a high school student, Hajime Kindaichi, the supposed grandson of the famous (fictional) private detective Kosuke Kindaichi. Written by Yōzaburō Kan ...

'', is depicted as the grandson of Kosuke Kindaichi. In episode 14 of '' Lupin the Third Part II'', a German count invites the best private detectives from all over the world - including Kindaichi - to the maiden voyage of his blimp in order to catch ''

Lupin III , also written as ''Lupin the Third'', ''Lupin the 3rd'', or ''Lupin the IIIrd'', is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Monkey Punch. It follows the endeavors of master thief Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of Arsè ...

,'' who is after the count's jewel. In the ''

Lupin the Third Part IV ''Lupin the 3rd Part IV: The Italian Adventure'', also known simply as , is a Japanese anime television series animated by Telecom Animation Film. Part of the ''Lupin III'' franchise, it is the fifth anime television adaptation of the ''Lupin ...

'' episode "From Japan With Love", the celebrity detective Akechi Kousuke Holmes is partially named after Kosuke Kindaichi (as well as Kogoro Akechi and Sherlock Holmes). In 2013 and 2014 a pair of films were made pairing Kindaichi with another famous fictional Japanese detective Kogoro Akechi.

Tomohisa Yamashita , also widely known as , or Tomo, is a Japanese singer, actor, and TV host. Yamashita joined the Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates as a trainee in 1996 (age 11) and made his small acting debut for NHK's ''Shonentachi'' (1998) and has b ...

played Kindaichi, whilst Hideaki Itô was Akechi.

References

External links

Kindaichi Kosuke Museum
- Fans Site {{DEFAULTSORT:Kindaichi, Kosuke Fictional male detectives Fictional Japanese people

Works in translation

Cases

In popular culture

See also

References

External links