CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE MYSTERY FICTION IN ENGLISH TRANSLATION: TWO WORKS OF THE IYA-MYS SUBGENRE

Abstract

Iya-mys is a subgenre of contemporary Japanese mystery fiction whose name is abbreviated Japanese that means “mystery that gives an unpleasant feeling” and is said to leave the readers with a bad aftertaste at its conclusion. The subgenre has been gaining popularity, particularly since the release of Minato Kanae’s 2008 novel, Confessions (Kokuhaku), which has been translated into English and other world languages, won several awards both in Japan and the US, and has been made into a Japanese-language film. However, there is still a lack of iya-mys fiction in English translation. This thesis presents English translations of one novella by Minato Kanae, “My Dearest,” and one by Michio Shūsuke, “Beast,” in hopes of bringing the subgenre to Western audiences. This thesis also presents discussion of the story analysis and of the considerations necessary for translating iya-mys fiction.