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Summary: Under the Skin of the World of Japanese Tattoo
Review: 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.
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Summary: Can the frog eat the snake... or not?
Review: In a WWII stricken Japan, the characters in Takagi's "The Tattoo Murder Mystery" living in a post-WWII Japan work daily in attempt to regain a semblance of reality and peace as the country recovers from its losses. In this unsettled landscape, the people look for unifying opportunities, and perhaps are more apt to quickly develop personal relationships, like that which occurred between Kenzo, a returned soldier, and Kinue, a young woman who's sister is assumed to have been killed in Hiroshima. Their lives are intertwined through a unique annual showing of gorgeous full body tattoos, in which Kinue is admired for her snake tattoo and Kenzo is captivated by her charm and beauty. When the woman is later found dead, her tattoo violently removed from her body, the race is on to discover the motive and criminal which unpredictable will reveal a secret that Kinue hid deeper than her tattooed skin. Who is the woman that appears suddenly into the plot and who so resembles Kinue? Is the murderer still on the loose? The fact that a tattoo is the major clue and focus of the murder case is unique to a novel and allows for bits of the Japanese culture, art, and traditional legends to infiltrate and adds a layer of depth and reality to the text. Although the exoticism and enjoyment of tattoos outwardly appears to have been erased from proper Japanese social circles, the art is still quietly valued, as evidenced by the University of Tokyo's rich collection of skins and the skillfully woven fables and legends (such as that of the snake, slug, and magician myth) even now passed through generations. With this culture, the professor Hayakawa, in charge of the largest collection of tattooed skins at the University, Kinue's husband, and past lovers are all possible suspects. Who would commit such a crime? What does this suggest about the value of women in this society where they are admired then killed for their skin? Through the lead detective "Boy Genius," Kyosuk, the clues come together in such a way reminiscent of the quiet, insightful techniques of Sherlock Holmes and "The Moonstone's" Sergeant Cuff. While maintaining a rich flavor of culture, suspense, and detailed department detective work, Takagi has produced a text that is hard to put down and twisted in a way sure to be pleasing and surprising even to the most avid detective fiction enthusiasts.
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Summary: Intricate Portrayal of Art and History
Review: 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.
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Summary: A classic.
Review: Takagi's masterpiece combines the virtues of a mystery story that is in the same league as Conan Doyle's very best stories, with an intricate description and analysis of the effects of the second world war on Japanese society. The choice of the tattoo as leitmotiv was really a stroke of brilliance. On the one hand it plays a central part in the solving of the murder plot. Moreover, the taboo status that has surrounded the tattoo due to Western influences on the land of the rising sun, gives the (sexual) fascination of its admirers a metaphorical depth. As such, I disagree with a previous reviewer who saw Kenzo's ongoing fascination with Kinue as a manifestation of necrophilia. I feel it represents an expression of nostalgia to the pre-western "good old days". In closing, the translator deserves some kudos for the excellent translation. The subtly inserted short explanations provide the novice with direct understanding with many concepts and the atmosphere of the original text has been carefully preserved.
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Summary: macabre subject, interesting mystery
Review: The murder is gruesome, the idea of preserving the tattooed skins of people who have died, for their art value, is creepy, but still it is a very readable mystery. The translation is stilted, and there are a couple of anachronisms, but that doesn't matter once you get into the story.
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Summary: A mystery must--not at all dated.
Review: The story remains fresh, even today, 50 years later. Nothing in it lags. While the crime described is a horrorific one, the way the author has written about it doesn't disturb. I enjoyed this classic "puzzle" mystery--both a who-dune-it and how. The story is set in postwar Tokoyo and it's very atmospheric.
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Summary: The Aftermath of the War
Review: The Tattoo Murder Case, written by Akimitsu Takagi, is an absorbing novel that delves into the sensuality and mystery surrounding the art of tattoos. Written during the post WWII era, the text grapples with the physical destruction of Japan and the upheaval of the country's culture due to the shocking effects of the Atom Bomb. While the reader is immediately immersed into the grips of the plot and the intricacies of the characters' relationships with one another, the reader cannot escape from the ever-present undercurrent of despair and devastation. The Japanese people have experienced a dramatic change in their way of life; family and friends have died, their cities are in ruins, their culture has been beaten down, and their confidence at being a strong world power has been destroyed. To dive into this novel allows the reader an opportunity to catch glimpses of a Japanese society that only existed before the war while at the same time witness the struggle of these proud people as they attempt to cope with the war's aftermath. The tattoos in this mystery symbolize a strong, resilient country that is rich in history. The path that the tattoos take in the novel mirror both the characters' struggle as well as those of all of Japanese people in this post-war era to maintain their pride and culture in a country that has been permanently altered.
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Summary: SS Van Dine in Japan
Review: This is a good straightforward locked room mystery. It is set in post war Tokyo, and was written in 1948. The odd world of full-body tattooing forms a backdrop. Aside from some sexual references (don't expect sex scenes) it is very like an old SS Van Dine mystery from the 20s (The Canary Murder Case presents a similar locked room puzzle). Not hard to solve but fun to read. A good light book for a few hours entertainment.
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Summary: The tattoos and characters are displayed with precision
Review: To anyone who is interested in tattoos or in postwar Japan this book is a must. Having a traditional Japanese tattoo myself I was most impressed with the treatment of the art in relation to the trials of living with the artwork,and those who seek to posses it. The way the story does not rely on the tattoos to be the entire focus of the book is refreshing. The moral and ethical questions raised by the pursuit of these tattoos is hardly touched on,but this is a murder mystery not a book about ethics. As far as the mystery goes it is very well thought out and intelligent. You get to know the characters without too much guesswork and they do not have as rough a diologue as you would first assume.(this is in reference to the strict translation that is offered)
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Summary: An unexpected surprise.
Review: 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.
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