A translation project of a compilation of stories by Ookura Teruko. She is historically significant as one of the first female detective writers in Japanese history.
Ookura Teruko
Ookura Teruko (大倉 燁子, April 12, 1886 – July 18, 1960) was born in Tokyo, Japan. Her real name was Mozume Yoshiko (物集 芳子). Other aliases: Iwata Yoshimi, Iwata Yuriko, and Oka Midori. Her father was Mozume Takami, a scholar of Japanese literature and culture. After resigning from the Tokyo Women’s Higher Normal School (currently Ochanomizu University), she went on to study under novelist and playwright Nakamura Kichizou. She studied under Futabatei Shimei after Nakamura went to to the USA. After Futabatei’s migration to Russia, she became an apprentice of Natsume Souseki.
In 1909, she published her first story Older Brother (兄 Ani). She presented her literary creations in Seitou and others, but she gave up on writing after getting married. She divorced in 1924. In 1932, she was introduced to Morishita Uson by Nakamura Kichizou, won his favor, and was encouraged to produce detective stories. In 1934 she carried out her second debut with Bewitching Shadow (妖影 Youei) under the name Ookura Teruko (Source: Kinokuniya).
The Compilation
The compilation of detective stories are freely available on Japanese digital library Aozora Bunko. The compilation order is the same as the order in the physical compilation book, which was publicized by Ronsou Mystery Sousho in 2011.
# | Works | Romaji | Translation | Date | Pages |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 妖影 | Youei | Bewitching Shadow | 1934(昭和9)年11月号 | 3 – 18 |
2 | 消えた霊媒女 | Kieta mijiamu | Disappeared Medium | 1934(昭和9)年11月 | 19 – 39 |
3 | 情鬼 | Jouki | The Passionate Ogre | 1935(昭和10)年2月 | 41 – 65 |
4 | 蛇性の執念 | Jasei no shuunen | The Implacability of a Serpent’s Nature | 1935(昭和10)年2月 | 67 – 93 |
5 | 鉄の処女 | Tetsu no shojo | The Iron Maiden | 1935(昭和10)年2月 | 95 – 124 |
6 | 機密の魅惑 | Kimitsu no miwaku | The Fascination of Confidentiality | 1935(昭和10)年2月 | 125 – 149 |
7 | 耳香水 | Mimi kousui | Ear Perfume | 1935(昭和10)年2月 | 151 – 171 |
8 | むかでの跫音 | Mukade no ashioto | The Stepping Sounds of a Centipede | 1935(昭和10)年 | 173 – 190 |
9 | 黒猫十三 | Kuroneko tomi | Black Cat Thirteen | 1936(昭和11)年1月 | 191 – 211 |
10 | 鳩つかひ | Hato tsukai | Pigeon Bearer | 1948(昭和23)年4月5日 | 213 – 236 |
11 | 梟の眼 | Fukurou no me | The Eyes of an Owl | 1937(昭和12)年3月 | 237 – 254 |
12 | 青い風呂敷包 | Aoi furoshikizutsumi | A Blue Package | 1937(昭和12)年4月 | 255 – 276 |
13 | 美人鷹匠 | Bijin takajou | The Beautiful Falconer | 1937(昭和12年)7月増刊号 | 277 – 295 |
14 | 深夜の客 | Shinya no kyaku | Late Night Visitor | 1938(昭和13)年12月 | 297 – 317 |
15 | 鷺娘 | Sagimusume | Heron Daughter | 1946(昭和21)年7月 | 319 – 336 |
16 | 魂の喘ぎ | Tamashii no aegi | The Wheezing of the Soul | 1947(昭和22)年11月、12月合併号 | 337 – 351 |
17 | 和製椿姫 | Wasei tsubaki hime | The Japanese-made Lady of the Camellias | 1948(昭和23)年5月号 | 353 – 366 |
18 | あの顔 | Ano kao | That Face | 1948(昭和23)年10月 | 361 – 383 |
19 | 魔性の女 | Mashou no onna | The Devilish Woman | 1949(昭和24)年9月 | 385 – 402 |
20 | 恐怖の幻兵団員 | Kyoufu no maboroshi heidanin | The Phantom Army Corps Members of Terror | 1950(昭和25)年5月 | 403 – 422 |
21 | 心霊の抱く金塊 | Shinrei no idaku kinkai | The Gold Nugget held by a Spirit | 1935(昭和10)年9月23~24日 | 425 – 428 |
22 | 素晴しい記念品 | Subarashii Kinenhin | A Wonderful Memento | 1936(昭和11)年4月号 | 429 – 431 |
23 | 蘭郁二郎氏の処女作 | Ran Ikujirou-shi no shojosaku | Ran Ikujirou’s Maiden Work | 1936(昭和11)年12月9日 | 432 |
24 | 今年の抱負 | Kotoshi no houfu | This Year’s Ambition | 1950(昭和25)年1月 | 433 – 434 |
25 | 最初の印象 | Saisho no inshou | The First Impression | 1954(昭和29)年11月 | 435 – 437 |
26 | アンケート | Anketo | Survey | 1935(昭和10)年12月 1937(昭和12)年6月 1936(昭和11)年1月 |
438 – 440 |
1 – 20 are literary works.
21 – 26 are essays and miscellaneous writings.