Kenzo Kitakata (北方 謙三, Kitakata Kenzō, born October 26, 1947) is a Japanese novelist, especially known for his hardboiled novels. He studied law at Chuo University in the early 1970s. He served as the 10th President of the Mystery Writers of Japan from 1997 to 2001.
Hardboiled novels
Ashes (original title: Bō no Kanashimi), trans. Emi Shimokawa (Vertical, 2003)
Winter Sleep (original title: Fuyu no Nemuri), trans. Mark Schilling (Vertical, 2005)
The Cage (original title: Ori), trans. Paul Warham (Vertical, 2006)
City of Refuge (original title: Nogare no Machi), trans. Y.T. Horgan (Vertical, 2012)
Awards and nominations
1982 - Japan Adventure Fiction Association Prize: Nemuri Naki Yoru (Sleepless Night)
1983 - Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers: Nemuri Naki Yoru (Sleepless Night)
1983 - Japan Adventure Fiction Association Prize: The Cage
1984 - Nominee for Mystery Writers of Japan Award for Best Novel: The Cage
1985 - Mystery Writers of Japan Award for Best Novel: Kawaki no Machi (City of Thirst)
1991 - Shibata Renzaburo Prize: Hagun no Hoshi (Alkaid)
2004 - Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for Literature: Yōkashō (Generals of the Yang Family)
2006 - Shiba Ryotaro Prize: Suikoden (Water Margin)
2009 - Japan Mystery Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement
Standalone hardboiled novels
Chōshō Harukanari (弔鐘はるかなり), 1981
Nogare no Machi (逃がれの街), 1982 (City of Refuge, Vertical, 2012)
Kusari (鎖), 1983
Manatsu no Sōretsu (真夏の葬列), 1983
Au ni wa Tōsugiru (逢うには、遠すぎる), 1983
Ori (檻), 1983 (The Cage, Vertical, 2006)
Tomo yo, Shizuka ni Nemure (友よ、静かに瞑れ), 1984
Kimi ni Ketsubetsu no Toki o (君に訣別の時を), 1984
Kawaki no Machi (渇きの街), 1984
Kako Rimembā (過去 リメンバー), 1984
Are wa Maboroshi no Hata Datta no ka (あれは幻の旗だったのか), 1984
Yagate Fuyu ga Owareba (やがて冬が終われば), 1984
Yoru yori Tōi Yami (夜より遠い闇), 1984
Asu Naki Machikado (明日なき街角), 1985
Kuroi Doresu no Onna (黒いドレスの女), 1985
Retsujitsu (烈日), 1985
Futari dake no Kunshō (二人だけの勲章), 1985
Sabi (錆), 1985
Yoru yo Omae wa (夜よおまえは), 1985
Warera ga Toki no Kagayaki (われらが時の輝き), 1986
Furueru Tsume (ふるえる爪), 1986
Tamashii no Kishibe (魂の岸辺), 1986
Kiba (牙), 1986
Fuyu koso Kemono wa Hashiru (冬こそ獣は走る), 1986
Gyakkō no Onna (逆光の女), 1987
Yoru no Owari (夜の終り), 1987
Gusha no Machi (愚者の街), 1987
Hyōteki (標的), 1987
Itsuka Toki ga Nanji o (いつか時が汝を), 1988
Kaenju (火焔樹), 1989
Kizu Darake no Maseratti (傷だらけのマセラッティ), 1989
Aki Hoteru (秋ホテル), 1990
Bō no Kanashimi (棒の哀しみ), 1990 (Ashes, Vertical, 2003)
Mizuiro no Inu (水色の犬), 1991
Sabita Bui (錆びた浮標), 1992
Omei no Hiroba (汚名の広場), 1993
Yakusoku (約束), 1994
Waga Sakebi Tōku (わが叫び遠く), 1994
Soshite Kare ga Shinda (そして彼が死んだ), 1994
Yukidomari (行きどまり), 1994
Kare ga Ōkami datta Hi (彼が狼だった日), 1995
Saikai (再会), 1995
Fuyu no Nemuri (冬の眠り), 1996 (Winter Sleep, Vertical, 2005)
Yoru o Machinagara (夜を待ちながら), 1999
Hakujitsu (白日), 1999
Gitai (擬態), 2001
Baien (煤煙), 2003
Kiro (帰路), 1988
Itsuka Hikari wa Nioite (いつか光は匂いて), 1993
Kōsu Agein [Course Again] (コースアゲイン), 2002
