A Guide to Recommended Works by Machio Kazano: From Representative Series to Hidden Masterpieces of Historical Fiction

A Guide to Recommended Works by Machio Kazano: From Representative Series to Hidden Masterpieces of Historical Fiction

Have you ever stood in front of the historical fiction shelf at a bookstore, staring at a long row of books by the same author, feeling lost about where to begin? With so many series running simultaneously, it is impossible to tell just by looking at the spines which one is the main work or which one might suit your tastes. Even if you skim the synopses and pick one at random, there is no guarantee you will find a winner. At times like these, it helps to know the core theme that the author has truly been writing about all along. One author who occupies a particularly large portion of the historical fiction shelf is Machio Kazano. While he is often discussed for his lighthearted and humorous settings, once you understand the theme that runs through his body of work, the very same books take on a completely different feel.

Who is Machio Kazano? His background and the core theme that runs through his work

Before diving into specific works, understanding the path this author has taken will make your subsequent reading much more interesting. This is because his own background is directly connected to the themes of his work.

Machio Kazano was born in Sukagawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, in 1951. After graduating from the Faculty of Law at Rikkyo University, he did not immediately become a novelist. He spent a long time working as a freelance writer, taking on various subcontracted jobs. His debut as an author came in the early 1990s when he won the 17th Historical Literature Award for "Kuro-ushi to Yokai" (The Black Ox and the Specter). It was a late start, coming after he had already passed the age of forty.

This sense of being a "late bloomer" is actually an element that cannot be ignored when interpreting Kazano's work. In later interviews, he has remarked that his temperament is closer to that of a foot soldier or a peasant than a warlord, reflecting on how his time as a writer was filled with menial tasks, how his debut took a long time, and how he always felt like he was losing. He further stated that he projects into his work the desire to keep challenging himself even when the results are poor. This self-perception is a point that many introductory articles pass over without mentioning. However, once you know this, looking back at his work reveals that the protagonists in Kazano's stories are remarkably consistent.

Without exception, the protagonists in Kazano's works are "those who have strayed from the mainstream." A low-ranking samurai who is obsessed with the stars and treated as an eccentric; a timid police official who admits, as do others, that he is inferior to his brother in every way; a town magistrate who spent his youth living as a rogue and even got a tattoo; a former inspector who has retired and is doting on his grandchildren. None of them are born heroes. They are neither at the center of things nor are they perfect individuals. Rather, they are all people who are seen as having some sort of flaw or being out of step with society. The stories then progress in a way where those very flaws or deviations become the key to solving the mystery. While the assessment of him as a master of humorous historical fiction is entirely correct, beneath that laughter lies a quiet empathy for those who have lost or those who have been left behind.

This core was most clearly revealed in "Sara Sara Goe," which won the 21st Nakayama Gishu Literature Award in 2015. The subject is the Sengoku warlord Sassa Narimasa. Historically, he is a clear loser. It is interesting that the author for whom this award is named, Gishu Nakayama himself, debuted after a long period of obscurity and preferred to write about "losers in life" in his postwar historical fiction. An author from Fukushima received a literature award associated with Fukushima for a work depicting a loser. While it may be a coincidence, there could hardly be an event that more accurately traces the outline of the writer Machio Kazano. In the same year, 2015, he also received the Series Award at the 4th Historical Novelist Club Awards for his "Mimi-bukuro Hicho" series, meaning both his humorous side and his profound historical fiction side were recognized in the same year.

There is one more technique to keep in mind when discussing Kazano's work: the idea of using actual essays from the Edo period as the very framework for his stories. The collection of strange tales "Mimibukuro" written by town magistrate Negishi Shizue, and "Kasshi Yawa," which the former lord of the Hirado Domain, Matsura Seizan, continued to write. Both are real books that collected strange stories and rumors from Edo, and Machio Kazano used these two as the foundation for his signature series. Rather than just placing a synopsis on the outside of the books, he constructs the story with the premise that "there was actually a hidden side to the strange stories written in these essays." This is why the ghost-like incidents in Kazano's works always land on a rational solution. He himself has said that he prefers stories where mysteries appear one after another rather than agonizing over a single mystery, and that sense of pacing has become the driving force of his series.

In other words, Machio Kazano is an author who uses real Edo-period books as material, places people who have lost or strayed from the path as protagonists, and presents them wrapped in lighthearted laughter. With this map in mind, let's look at his representative works.

Representative works of Machio Kazano you should read first: The entry points to his series and standalone masterpieces

Since he is an author with dozens of series running in parallel, it is natural to be confused about how to choose. Here, I will introduce representative series that are suitable as entry points to Kazano's work, covering both the overall outline of the series and the content of the first volume. At the same time, for those who are not fond of series, I will also cover profound historical novels that are completed in a single volume.

Tsuma wa, Kunoichi (My Wife is a Kunoichi)

This is the representative series that spread Machio Kazano's name to the general public. A total of 10 volumes were published as new releases from Kadokawa Bunko, and later, a new chapter titled "Hebi no Maki" (Scroll of the Snake) consisting of 3 volumes was added. The cumulative circulation of the series has exceeded 1 million copies. In 2013, it was adapted into a drama on NHK's BS Jidaigeki slot starring Somegoro Ichikawa, and the final chapter was broadcast the following year.

The ingenuity of the setting is, first of all, outstanding. The protagonist is Hikoma Futaboshi, a low-ranking samurai of the Hirado Domain. He is a minor official with a stipend of thirty bales, but he is skilled in arithmetic, can read Dutch, and is an astronomy enthusiast who has all the movements of the stars in his head. However, because of his obsession with the stars, he is seen as an eccentric by society, and marriage proposals have been turned down repeatedly. Then, a beautiful wife named Orie marries into his home. However, after about a month, Orie suddenly disappears. She was a kunoichi sent by the shogunate, and her mission was to investigate the movements of Matsura Seizan of the Hirado Domain.

What runs through the series is Hikoma's single-mindedness. He moves to Edo just to find his wife, settles in a tenement house in Kanda, and continues to search for Orie while teaching children at a private school. He is hopeless at swordsmanship and dislikes conflict. In a world where martial arts are everything, all he has is knowledge, arithmetic, and single-mindedness. Orie, for her part, cannot forget Hikoma, and without revealing her true identity, she secretly watches over his life and sometimes helps him. This conflict between her duty as a kunoichi and her feelings as a wife creates constant tension throughout the series.

And from the first volume, Hikoma's breadth of knowledge is recognized by the enlightened former lord of the Hirado Domain, Matsura Seizan. Seizan is in the middle of writing down the strange events he has seen and heard in an essay called "Kasshi Yawa," and he begins to ask Hikoma to solve the mysteries. Thus, the journey to find his wife and the solving of strange mysteries occurring in the streets of Edo run in parallel within the same book. As a historical novel that is not solved by the sword, but by wisdom, this setting remains fresh even today. The writing style is surprisingly light, and there is no need to brace yourself for the specific phrasing peculiar to historical novels. Since the end of the first volume is not a complete conclusion, it is safe to pick up the sequels if you are curious about what happens next. Note that a "complete edition" that combines two volumes into one with revisions has also been published in later years.

Mimi-bukuro Hicho (Secret Records of the Ear Bag)

If I were to name one representative series by Machio Kazano, it would be this collection of works, which received the Series Award at the 4th Historical Novelist Club Awards. The protagonist is Negishi Hizen-no-kami Shizue, the magistrate of the South Town. This is a real historical figure. In his youth, he lived as a rogue and had a tattoo of a red demon carved on his shoulder. He is a man who achieved an unusual promotion to become a town magistrate after the age of sixty, despite his origins being unclear. The collection of strange tales "Mimibukuro" that he left to the world truly exists.

The core idea of this series lies in the single point that 'there was a secret version of the famous "Mimibukuro" that was never shown to anyone.' The truth behind incidents that could not be written in the public collection of strange tales was recorded in a secret manuscript that was never allowed to leave the family—with this one setting, an entire existing essay collection is transformed into a gold mine for stories.

The content is a detective story where Negishi, along with his eccentric subordinates, unravels strange incidents occurring in Edo. A talking cat, a well where people die one after another, a man who ate a ghost, a man who suddenly vanished from prison, and a mysterious disappearance rumored to be the work of a tengu. Strange occurrences appear one after another, but Negishi concludes that 'it must be murder' and always exposes the human schemes behind them. The author himself has spoken of the influence of Kido Okamoto's 'Hanchichi Torimonochō,' and it can be said that this series tackles the archetype of the detective story head-on, providing rational solutions to inexplicable events.

The series is broadly divided into the 'Murder Case' line, where the dōshin Kurita and his retainer Sakamaki play active roles, and the 'Yōdan' (Ghost Story) line, which puts a more ghostly taste to the forefront, and it has been written for a long time since. An easy entry point is 'Mimibukuro Hichō: Akaoni Bugyō Negishi Hizen.' The master of a well-regarded merchant house is murdered, and a young heir of a large store is spotted near the scene, having disappeared while leaving behind a mysterious note—from this incident, the investigation by Negishi and his subordinates begins. The highlight is the gap between the bizarre nature of the incidents and the humanity of Negishi, who judges them. His past connections from his days as a rogue come to life in the investigation, and the eyes of a man over sixty look straight through the evil wriggling at the bottom of Edo. Since each story is neatly concluded, you can also read one episode at a time during your commute.

Onmitsu Ajimikata Dōshin (Secret Agent Food-Tasting Dōshin)

This is a series that shines with an idea typical of Machio Kazeno, having turned 'food' into the subject of an investigation. The setting is the Minami-machi Magistrate's Office. A strange special order is given by a superior to Naminoshin Tsukiura, a temporary patrol dōshin rumored to be highly skilled: investigate the movements of Edo's eateries. Moreover, all food and drink expenses necessary for the investigation can be claimed. This role of 'Ajimikata' (Food-Tasting Official), which his colleagues envy, is the gateway to the story.

In the first volume, 'Kujira no Sugatayaki Sōdō' (The Whale Roast Uproar), bizarre and unheard-of dishes appear one after another, such as lightning udon that makes you feel like you've been struck by lightning, dumplings named after monsters, bald noodles, coiled grilled eel, and pot-baked sushi. It is not just a food-walking novel. A moneylender is murdered, and using a certain dish the man ate just before his death as a clue, Naminoshin begins to chase the culprit. 'Where there is delicious food, there is evil'—this phrase that runs through the series connects the description of the food and the investigation of the incident in a single line.

What makes this series impressive is that the story steers in a direction no one expects toward the end of the first volume. I won't go into detail here, but the very premise of who the protagonist of the series is begins to waver. The one who carries the story in subsequent volumes is the timid younger brother, Uonoshin, who admits to himself and others that he is inferior to his brother in appearance, intelligence, and swordsmanship. While everyone worries if he'll be okay, he still faces the evil lurking in Edo's food in his own way. It can be said that this is the series that most directly expresses the core of Kazeno's works, which is that 'the person on the outside becomes the protagonist.'

The 'Onmitsu' (Secret Agent) arc of the series concludes in 9 volumes, and it then continues into the 'Sennyū Ajimikata Dōshin' (Infiltrating Food-Tasting Dōshin) arc, where Uonoshin investigates food inside and outside Edo Castle. The writing is light and airy, and it is better suited for enjoying the tempo and ideas rather than savoring the atmosphere of a historical novel. For those interested in Edo food or those who want to read historical novels as mysteries, this is a work I would recommend first.

Warujii Hikenchō (The Crafty Old Man's Secret Sword Records)

This is a series with a setting you'll remember at a glance: the protagonist is a retired man who dotes on his grandchild. The protagonist is Momotaro Aisaka. A former inspector nicknamed 'Onigoroshi no Momotaro' (Demon-Slaying Momotaro), he is a master of the sword. He has already handed over the family headship to his son and is in retirement.

The story begins with the discovery that his straight-laced son has a child out of wedlock with a geisha named Tamako. Moreover, the son only talks about protecting his own reputation. Momotaro is dumbfounded, but the moment he meets his granddaughter, Momoko, he falls for her instantly. He is completely disarmed by her cuteness, which is incomparable to his three grandsons who never stop talking back. From then on, he ends up cleaning up the troubles that befall the mother and child one after another while carrying his granddaughter on his back.

In the first volume, 'Jiiji da yo' (It's Grandpa), Momotaro notices that there are several suspicious aspects to the tenement house where Tamako has moved, and to protect Momoko, he moves into the same tenement himself. While keeping it hidden from his wife and son at the mansion, he whips his aging body into action. The back-and-forth with his childhood friend and fellow former inspector, Tomezaburo Asahina, is also fun, and the grit and natural demeanor of the two elderly men give the story depth. His swordsmanship is, of course, still intact, and the description of his 'withered leaf sword,' which shows sharpness even while he is aware of his decline, is a moment of tension that runs through the humor.

Although it is titled 'Warujii' (Crafty Old Man), Momotaro looks like a kindly old man no matter how you look at him. It is likely a title that twists and layers the meaning of being cunning with the meaning of moving around for his grandchild behind his family's back. The highlight is the gap between the former inspector, who is sharp in both swordsmanship and mystery-solving, becoming just a 'grandpa' in front of his grandchild. It is also fun that long-established Edo shops and food culture appear throughout, and since it is in the format of a series of short stories, it is also suitable for reading one episode a day. The series continued with 10 volumes of 'Hikenchō' and 10 volumes of 'Jikenchō,' and a third season, 'Gikenchō,' has now begun. It is a group of works you can enjoy for a long time.

Wakasama Dōshin Tokugawa Ryunosuke (Young Lord Dōshin Tokugawa Ryunosuke)

This is a series written right from the center of the royal road of historical novels, where a young lord hiding his identity solves cases as a town dōshin. The protagonist, Ryunosuke Tokugawa, is the eleventh son of the Tayasu Tokugawa family, one of the Gosankyo. Born into a lineage connected to the Shogunate, he hides his status and becomes an apprentice dōshin to protect the town of Edo.

With his intelligence, quick wit, and skilled swordsmanship, Ryunosuke solves cases one after another. It is a comprehensive entertainment piece with sword fighting, human drama, and plenty of humor, and what symbolizes the series is the 'Kazena no Ken' (Wind-Sound Sword). The fact that titles that make you want to pick them up, such as 'Kieta Jutte' (The Vanished Truncheon), 'Kazena no Ken' (Wind-Sound Sword), and 'Soratobu Iwa' (The Flying Rock), are lined up from the first volume is also one of the charms of this series.

Compared to the works introduced so far, it might be a step behind in terms of the novelty of the setting. However, that is precisely why this series is suitable for those looking for a 'historical novel that is truly a historical novel.' The composition of a nobleman hiding his status and descending to the common people is a form that Japanese stories have loved since ancient times, and Machio Kazeno presented it to modern readers with an easy-to-read style and fast-paced mystery solving. Published by Futabasha Bunko, the new edition has 13 volumes in the series. Afterward, as a sequel, 'Shin Wakasama Dōshin Tokugawa Ryunosuke' has been written for 8 volumes. Despite being a long series, the sense of satisfaction after reading each book is solid, making it an excellent practice ground for getting used to series. It is also a place where those who felt the humor of Kazeno's works was a bit too light return in search of the feel of sword fighting.

Sarasara-goe (Crossing the Sarasara Pass)

Before diving into a series, I want to verify the true ability of this author with a single book. For those people, this is the work I can recommend without hesitation, which received the 21st Nakayama Gishu Literature Award. It is a profound historical novel that shows a completely different face of an author known for his light, paperback-original series.

The setting is the end of the Sengoku period. Narimasa Sassa, who rules Etchu, is hostile to Hideyoshi Hashiba, who seized hegemony after the Honno-ji Incident. However, he is unable to move, caught between Kagekatsu Uesugi of Echigo and Toshiie Maeda of Kaga. There is no choice but to go and meet Ieyasu Tokugawa in Hamamatsu himself and persuade him to fight a thorough war of resistance against Hideyoshi. The only path left was to cross the Hida Mountains in the middle of winter. It is that 'Sarasara-goe' that has been passed down as historical fact.

There are two highlights. The first is the sheer intensity of the struggle against the snowy mountains itself. Blizzards, avalanches, frostbite. In an era where people had only straw sandals and furs, the act of crossing the Northern Alps in midwinter was a brush with death. Every step is written with the tension of a mountaineering novel. It is a reading experience rarely found elsewhere, where historical fiction and mountaineering fiction intersect.

The second is the characterization of Sassa Narimasa. He is not a hero like Nobunaga or Hideyoshi. This desperate mountain crossing ends in vain after failing to persuade Ieyasu, and Narimasa eventually has his territory confiscated. He is a loser in history. Even so, the sight of this earnest warrior treading through the snow step by step has a tactile quality that seems to pat the shoulder of the modern reader. The fact that the author himself cites his own experience of running the Tokyo Marathon—feeling the pain and wanting to quit, and realizing that this must be the same feeling Narimasa had—as one of the motivations for writing this book speaks volumes about the temperature of this work. Even if the result is failure, the desire to keep challenging oneself—that sentiment is entrusted to a man walking through a white hell.

What remains after finishing the book is something like human dignity, found in a place separate from victory or defeat. I recommend this book both to those who like the humor in Kazeno's works and to those who have avoided them because they dislike humor.

How to choose your next book for those who want to read more

Once you have covered the representative works, the way to enjoy Kazeno's works is to choose based on your mood and purpose. From here on, I will list candidates for finding your next book with a good tempo.

"The Water Castle Has Not Fallen Yet"

https://amzn.to/44DrBxL In the 18th year of Tensho, as Hideyoshi's army attacks the Hojo family in Kanto and over a hundred branch castles fall one after another, only Oshi Castle in Musashi does not fall. Ishida Mitsunari, who is attacking, has over 50,000 troops, while those holed up inside number less than 3,000, including foot soldiers and peasants. Narita Nagachika, who serves as the castle deputy, is an elusive man with no outstanding martial prowess or talent. While the work is highly accomplished as a historical novel, there is a fact worth noting. Although "Nobou no Shiro" is widely known as a novel depicting the same defense of Oshi Castle, this work by Machio Kazeno was published by Shodensha Bunko in 2000. In other words, it was Kazeno who first shed light on this subject matter. The composition of a man with no merits repelling a large army is also the very theme of this author.

"Undercover Food Taster Doshin" Series

For those who have finished the "Onmitsu" (Secret Agent) volume and find it hard to part with Uonoshin. This time, he receives a special mission from the South Magistrate to investigate food inside and outside Edo Castle, where there are movements to assassinate the Shogun. The stage becomes much larger, and the descriptions of the food are even sharper.

"Mimizukuro Hicho Yodan" (Ear Bag Secret Records Ghost Stories) Series

Among the Negishi Hizen-no-kami works, this is the series that puts ghost story tastes to the forefront. It even takes up the "Utsuro-bune" legend, which is considered an Edo-period UFO encounter, and the blend of eeriness and humor is unique. For those who like an atmosphere leaning toward the supernatural, this is a good place to start.

"New Young Master Doshin Tokugawa Ryunosuke" Series If you want to read more of Ryunosuke's story, there are 8 volumes of sequels waiting. As a landing spot for those who have finished the old series, you can pick them up with peace of mind.

"Warujii Jikencho" and "Warujii Gikencho" Series

This is a continuation of the "Hikencho" series. "Jikencho" begins with the setting of a few days after the final volume of the previous series, so you can continue reading without any sense of discomfort. The flow of time itself, as the granddaughter Momoko grows up little by little, is also a hidden highlight of this series.

"Black Ox and Yokai"

This is his debut work that won the Historical Literature Award. For readers who only know Kazeno's current works, this will be an interesting volume to verify where this author started.

"Historical Detective Kohei Tsukimura's Case Files" Series

Although he is an author with a strong image as a writer of historical novels, he is also energetically working on mysteries set in the modern day. With a structure where historical mysteries and modern incidents intersect, it uses different muscles than his historical novels.

"Showa Detective" Series

This is a modern mystery where a middle-aged detective, who has been running a modest business in a multi-tenant building in Nishi-Shinjuku, chases mysteries left behind in the Showa era. The author's own words—that the Showa era is not history, but a recent time that is continuous with the present, with its own colors and smells—accurately indicate the position of this series. From the Edo period to the Showa era, one realizes that this author is ultimately continuing to dig up 'voices buried in the past'.

The 'It's a Good Bath' and 'The Elephant Has Come' series

This is a line of humorous historical novels from PHP Bungei Bunko. For those looking for the comedic side of Kazeno's works, this collection will hit the mark.

Recommended for these people, and those who might not find it a good fit

With an author of such range, you might be wondering if they are right for you. Kazeno's works are perfect for those who have avoided historical novels because they thought the language would be difficult. The writing is light, the dialogue is modern, and you won't be able to stop turning the pages. Since the author relies on interesting settings to keep you reading, if you felt like 'I want to read that' the moment you heard the synopsis, your intuition is likely correct. It is also suitable for those who want to enjoy historical novels as mysteries, those who get excited about the details of Edo food and customs, and those who want to read through stories quickly in a one-episode-per-chapter format.

On the other hand, for those who want to savor a dense and dignified writing style, or those who prioritize strict historical accuracy and the depiction of Edo atmosphere above all else, the lightness of the series might feel underwhelming. It is worth knowing in advance that this is a style that pushes forward with characters and ideas rather than landscape descriptions. However, those who feel that lack of depth should try 'Sarashara-goe' or 'Mizu no Shiro'. The writing style changes so much that you wouldn't think it was written by the same author. It is a bit too early to conclude that this author is not for you just because you don't like lightness.

Similar authors, for those who want to read next

If you finish reading Kazeno's works and still feel like walking through the streets of Edo, try branching out to neighboring writers. In terms of readability and the sheer volume of series, Yasuhide Saeki is close; if you were drawn to the descriptions of Edo food and customs, Shotaro Ikenami will be your next door; and if you want to read about the joys and sorrows of common people with a more serene touch, Shuhei Fujisawa will be your next door. I have introduced each of these authors in detail in other articles, so please take a look if you are interested.

Summary

Machio Kazeno is an author who uses real Edo essays as a framework, places people on the losing or marginalized side as protagonists, and presents them wrapped in light humor. You might be overwhelmed by the vast number of series, but choosing one is simple. Open the first volume of a series whose premise moves you, or start with 'Sarashara-goe' to see another side of this author. Whichever door you enter through, a character who makes you forgive yourself a little for not doing well is waiting on the other side of the page.

If you want to read e-books, Kindle Unlimited!: A casual reading experience where 'I want to read' comes true immediately

'I want to enjoy books more casually'
'I want to try new genres, but buying them is a bit of a hurdle'
Perfect for you is Amazon's e-book unlimited reading service 'Kindle Unlimited'.
For 980 yen per month, this service allows you to enjoy a wide range of books, magazines, and even comics, turning your daily spare time into reading time.
Moreover, you can try it for free for 30 days right now. If you feel it's not for you, you can cancel during the free period and it won't cost you anything.
The big appeal is that you can start easily and take your time to see if it suits you.

• Unlimited reading of over 5 million books, including Japanese books, foreign books, comics, and magazines for 980 yen per month

• Available on any device, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and Kindle devices

• Download the books you are interested in and read them offline

• Supports up to 6 devices with one account, and can be shared with family

• New releases, trending works, and bestsellers are added one after another

• 30-day free trial available, and you can cancel for free if it doesn't suit you

'I want to feel closer to books'
'I want to try books I'm curious about easily'—
If that's you, first take a peek into the world of Kindle Unlimited with a free trial.
You will surely find a new way to enjoy reading.
▼ Click here for the free trial

▼Related Articles

If you want to read while commuting or working,Audible!—Make your daily life richer with "listening to books"

"I want to read books, but I'm too busy to find the time."
"My eyes get tired and it's hard to read text."
For those with such concerns, we recommend Amazon's audiobook service"Audible".
You can enjoy books read by professional narrators and actors at your convenience, such as during your commute, while doing housework, or while exercising.
Audibleis currently offering a 30-day free trial.
You get unlimited access to over 200,000 audiobooks and podcasts, and if you feel it's not for you, you can cancel during the free trial and pay nothing at all.
Start easily and experience the new world of "listening to books."

• Unlimited access to over 200,000 audiobooks and podcasts for 1,500 yen per month

• Available on smartphones, tablets, and PCs, with support for offline playback

• High-quality narration by professional voice actors and actors makes stories and knowledge stay with you more deeply

• You can listen while doing other things, making effective use of spare time during commutes, housework, or exercise

• Full of great benefits such as member-exclusive sales and discounted purchases

• Includes a 30-day free trial, and you can cancel for free if it doesn't suit you

The new experience of "listening to books" is perfect for busy days or for those who struggle with reading text.
First, try the free trial to experience the convenience and fun ofAudiblefor yourself. It is sure to add a new intellectual stimulus to your daily life.
▼Click here for the free trial

▼Related Articles

A collection of articles recommended for you after reading this one