Abstract

This is the first work in the "Yumei Shikai" series, a collection of short stories by Yasumi Tsuhara, a popular author of fantasy horror, mystery, and other works.
Saruwatari, a nearly unemployed young man, and his horror novelist friend, the Count, travel around the country, venturing into the extraordinary—ghost stories, urban legends, and customs—lurking in the shadows of the everyday.
Strange happenings in tunnels, a family bound by bloodline, a persistent woman, red crabs, giant dogs, parasitic insects, ghost writers, buffalo hunting... Horror, mystery, fantasy, and psychological depictions intertwine around specific motifs such as local memory, food culture, myths, and animals.
As the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur, Saruwatari's setbacks and rebirths, as well as his strange friendship with the Count, gently connect the entire series, creating a collection of fantastical and entertaining stories that transport readers to another world.

Author’s Information

Born in Hiroshima City in 1964, Tsuhara debuted as a writer of novels for young women in 1989, with his My Alien series achieving popularity. In 1997 he published his first horror novel Eerie City, and since then has written works in many genres. In 2006, his novel, Brass Band, became a bestseller, and in 2012 his short story collection,11 eleven, won first prize at the 2nd Twitter Literature Award for Domestic Works. His short story ‘Goshikifune’ was ranked first in the Best Science Fiction of All Time (Domestic Short Story Category) rankings, which are compiled by SF Magazine* every 10 years, in 2014 and 2024. The manga adaptation of the story (written by Yoko Kondo) won the Grand Prize in the Manga Division at the 18th Japan Media Arts Festival.
*SF Magazine is Japan's largest science fiction magazine.

Tsuhara’s works include Penis, Shounen Torechia, Curious Tales, Ballet Mechanic, Hikki Hikki Shake, Dream-Parting Boat, and the Shop of Rare Dolls series. His works have been translated in the West and in Asia. He died on October 2, 2022. Winner of the 43rd Japan SF Grand Prize Contributions Award.