Sugawara Akitada
Encyclopedia
is a fictional character and a hero in a series of detective/mystery novels written by I. J. Parker
, set in the Heian period
of ancient Japan
.
, and graduated first in the final year, having specialised in law
. His family suffered financially when prior to the completion of his education, his father died.
In the stories, Sugawara Akitada entered the civil service as a junior clerk in the Ministry of Law, with an income barely able to support his family: his mother who was shown as always being inexplicably hostile to him (the reason not revealed until the novel Hell Screen), two younger sisters and a small staff of family retainers.
As according to the era, the character was shown to be under immense pressure for the great responsibility to ensure his sisters married well - the only promising path for women of the era. Finding successful 'good' match would depend on the level of prestige of the family (as reflected through social status, wealth and rank), and the dowry
he could offer.
The character's inquisitive mind and strong sense of justice got him involved in a variety of difficult cases, which he was usually able to solve, some in his personal capacity, some in the capacity of his job.
The main frustrations faced though was that his stubborn nature was not appreciated in a society, especially within the bureaucracy, which prized orthodoxy, conformity (to hierarchy), stability and unquestioning obedience to figures of authority. In the stories, Akitada was constantly reprimanded and even dismissed several times by his superiors.
To balance the odds, the author gave him allies in the form of several influential personages in the Imperial Court who respected and supported him, and appreciated his integrity.
, that featured Sugawara Akitada.
The following is a list of full-length novels featuring Sugawara Akidata. The initial publisher (St. Martin's Press
) decided to publish the novels in a different order from the internal chronological order of the novels. In 2004, the author switched publisher to Penguin Group
with the agreement to publish the novels according to internal chronology.
As of 2008, Books on Tape
has signed to produced the above titles as an audiobook series, being read by actor Roy Vongtama
. Dragon Sroll, the first title is available June 2008.
I. J. Parker
Ingrid J. Parker is a detective/mystery writer, best known for creating Sugawara Akitada, who solved crimes in Heian era of ancient Japan. She was born and raised in Germany.She was the winner of Private Eye Writers of America Shamus Award for Best P.I...
, set in the Heian period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
of ancient Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Introduction
The character lived in 11th century Japan, and came from a family of scholar-officials. It was revealed through short stories and novels that he was trained in orthodox (Confucianist) education, followed his family's tradition of entering the universityUniversity
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
, and graduated first in the final year, having specialised in law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
. His family suffered financially when prior to the completion of his education, his father died.
In the stories, Sugawara Akitada entered the civil service as a junior clerk in the Ministry of Law, with an income barely able to support his family: his mother who was shown as always being inexplicably hostile to him (the reason not revealed until the novel Hell Screen), two younger sisters and a small staff of family retainers.
As according to the era, the character was shown to be under immense pressure for the great responsibility to ensure his sisters married well - the only promising path for women of the era. Finding successful 'good' match would depend on the level of prestige of the family (as reflected through social status, wealth and rank), and the dowry
Dowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
he could offer.
The character's inquisitive mind and strong sense of justice got him involved in a variety of difficult cases, which he was usually able to solve, some in his personal capacity, some in the capacity of his job.
The main frustrations faced though was that his stubborn nature was not appreciated in a society, especially within the bureaucracy, which prized orthodoxy, conformity (to hierarchy), stability and unquestioning obedience to figures of authority. In the stories, Akitada was constantly reprimanded and even dismissed several times by his superiors.
To balance the odds, the author gave him allies in the form of several influential personages in the Imperial Court who respected and supported him, and appreciated his integrity.
List of appearances in publications
The following is a list of stories, in chronological order of publication in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery MagazineAlfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine
Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine is a monthly digest size fiction magazine specializing in crime and detective fiction. AHMM is named for Alfred Hitchcock, the famed director of suspense films and television.-History:...
, that featured Sugawara Akitada.
- Instruments of Murder (October 1997).
- The CurioCurioCurio may refer to:* A strange and interesting object which evokes curiosity** Curio , a predominantly glass cabinet with a metal or wood framework used to display collections of curios...
Dealer's Wife (November 1997). - A Master of GoGo (board game)Go , is an ancient board game for two players that originated in China more than 2,000 years ago...
(December 1998). - Akitada's First Case (July/August 1999).
- Rain at Rashomon (January 2000).
- The New YearJapanese New YearThe is one of the most important annual festivals, with its own unique customs, and has been celebrated for centuries. Due to the importance of the holiday and the preparations required, the preceding days are quite busy, particularly the day before, known as Ōmisoka.The Japanese New Year has been...
's Gift (April 2001). - Welcoming the PaddyPaddy fieldA paddy field is a flooded parcel of arable land used for growing rice and other semiaquatic crops. Paddy fields are a typical feature of rice farming in east, south and southeast Asia. Paddies can be built into steep hillsides as terraces and adjacent to depressed or steeply sloped features such...
God (December 2001). - Death and Cherry BlossomsSakuraA cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese Cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is sometimes called sakura after the Japanese . Many of the varieties that have been cultivated for ornamental use do not produce fruit...
(June 2002). - The O-BonBon Festivalor just is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist-Confucian custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors' graves, and when the spirits of ancestors are supposed...
Cat (February 2003). - The KamoKamo-Japan:*Kamo, Niigata*Kamo District, Gifu*Kamo District, Hiroshima*Kamo District, Shizuoka*Kamo, Kyoto*Kamo, Okayama*Kamo, Shimane*Kamo, Shizuoka*Kamō, Kagoshima*The Kamo River in Kyoto-Rest of the world:*Gavar, Armenia - formerly Kamo*Kamo, Armenia...
Horse (October 2003). - The TanabataTanabatais a Japanese star festival, originating from the Chinese Qixi Festival. It celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi . According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the...
Magpie (September 2005). - Moon CakesMooncakeMooncake is a Chinese bakery product traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival / Zhongqiu Festival. The festival is for lunar worship and moon watching; mooncakes are regarded as an indispensable delicacy on this occasion. Mooncakes are offered between friends or on family gatherings...
(January/February 2007). - The Incense Murders (September 2009).
The following is a list of full-length novels featuring Sugawara Akidata. The initial publisher (St. Martin's Press
St. Martin's Press
St. Martin's Press is a book publisher headquartered in the Flatiron Building in New York City. Currently, St. Martin's Press is one of the United States' largest publishers, bringing to the public some 700 titles a year under eight imprints, which include St. Martin's Press , St...
) decided to publish the novels in a different order from the internal chronological order of the novels. In 2004, the author switched publisher to Penguin Group
Penguin Group
The Penguin Group is a trade book publisher, the largest in the world , having overtaken Random House in 2009. The Penguin Group is the name of the incorporated division of parent Pearson PLC that oversees these publishing operations...
with the agreement to publish the novels according to internal chronology.
- Dragon Scroll (July 2005, Penguin, ISBN 978-0-14-303532-9)
- Rashomon Gate (July 2002, St. Martin's Press)
- Black Arrow (December 2006, Penguin, ISBN 0143035614)
- Island of ExilesIsland of ExilesIn Island of Exiles is a 2007 detective novel by I. J. Parker. The story follows Sugawara Akitada, who is assigned by two shadowy officials to investigate the fatal poisoning on penal colony on Sado Island of the exiled and disgraced Prince Okisada. The suspect is the son of the local governor, the...
(October 2007, Penguin, ISBN 978-0-14-311259-4) - The Hell Screen (September 2003, St. Martin's Press)
- The Convict's Sword (July 2009, Penguin, ISBN 978-0-14-311579-3)
- The Masuda Affair (December 2010, Severn House, ISBN 978-0-7278-6925-8)
- The Fires of the Gods (April 2011, Severn House, ISBN 978-0-7278-6989-0)
As of 2008, Books on Tape
Books on tape
Books on tape may refer to:*audio book: recordings of literary material read out loud.*Books on Tape: electronic music artist from Los Angeles, California....
has signed to produced the above titles as an audiobook series, being read by actor Roy Vongtama
Roy Vongtama
Roy Vongtama is an American professional actor as well as a Board certified Radiation oncologist. He resides in Santa Monica, CA.-Acting:Acting since 2001, Vongtama first appeared on ABC's reality show The Ultimate Love Test...
. Dragon Sroll, the first title is available June 2008.