EDOGAWA RAMPO

(1894–1965)

   Edogawa Rampo, pen name of Hirai Taro, was an author and critic famous for his detective novels featuring protagonist Akechi Kogoro. Edogawa’s pseudonym is a Japanese transcription of the name Edgar Allan Poe (Edogaa Aran Po), whom Edogawa admired. He also idolized Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as reflected in Akechi Kogoro’s similarity to Sherlock Holmes. Edogawa was born in Mie Prefecture and grew up in Nagoya before going to Waseda University in 1912 to study economics. After graduating in 1916, he held numerous odd jobs, including selling soba noodles as a street vendor. His debut in the genre of mystery novel came with Nisen doka (The Two-Sen Copper Coin, 1923). Nisen doka is widely considered to be the first original Japanese modern mystery novel. By the end of his life, he had published over 40 full-length mystery novels, many of which have been translated into English. Edogawa also founded the Japan Mystery Writer’s Club. A detective novel literary award is named in his honor.