Momiji Yamamura Debuts as Novelist at 65! Releasing Authentic Kyoto Suspense "The Secret of Gion: Blood Swap" on June 17, at the Same Age Her Mother Misa Yamamura Passed Away. A Forbidden Drama of Love and Hate Shaking the Kabuki World and Hanamachi.

Book cover (with obi) Book cover (without obi) Author Momiji Yamamura Futabasha Publishers Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) will release "The Secret of Gion: Blood Swap," the debut novel by actress Momiji Yamamura, on June 17, 2026. Momiji Yamamura, who has been active for many years in two-hour dramas and is known as the "Queen of Suspense," is finally making her debut as a novelist. This work is a novel that depicts human drama surrounding "family," "blood," and "talent" within the two traditional cultures of Kyoto's geisha districts and Kabuki, all against the backdrop of her observational and expressive skills cultivated as an actress, as well as her life experiences. Her mother was Misa Yamamura, known as the "Queen of Mystery." This work holds special significance as it is Momiji Yamamura's debut novel, released by the daughter at the milestone age of 65, the same age Misa Yamamura put down her pen. The story unfolds centered on the destiny and choices borne by individuals born into esteemed families. Decisions made to protect tradition eventually have unexpected consequences for the next generation. Set in Kyoto, it is a rich story where the beauty and insularity unique to those who inherit traditional arts, human desires, and conflicts intertwine. "Whose child is this?" A fate rewritten at birth. What must be protected? Blood? Or something else... The truth is too cruel. An exquisite mystery of love and hate that will keep you turning pages. [Highlights of this book] National actress Momiji Yamamura debuts as a novelist. Published at 65, the same age her mother, "Queen of Mystery" Misa Yamamura, passed away. A forbidden "blood swap" executed in the sacred traditional realms of Kyoto's geisha districts and Kabuki world. A vivid development, characteristic of an author who knows suspense dramas inside and out, where scattered foreshadowing comes together at once. Numerous realistic and immersive descriptions, unique to an actress. [Comment from Momiji Yamamura] ©Momiji Yamamura 2026 / Futabasha As I wrote with a pen on manuscript paper, just like my mother, not on a computer, memories of my mother gave me ideas one after another, such as the day I watched a maiko dance at a teahouse when I was 20, or the day a Kabuki actor visited our home. I would be very happy if you could feel "my mother's blood" when you read it. [Bibliographic Information] Book Title: Gion no Himitsu Chi no Surikae Book Release Date: June 17, 2026 Author: Momiji Yamamura Estimated Price: 1,980 yen (tax included) Format: Quadruple-bound Publisher: Futabasha Book Design: Seiichi Suzuki Design Office Cover Art: Yuri Furusawa [Author Profile] Momiji Yamamura Born in Kyoto Prefecture. After graduating from Waseda University, she became an actress after working as a National Tax Specialist. She is known as the "Queen of Two-Hour Suspense." This marks her debut as a novelist at the milestone age when her mother, author Misa Yamamura, put down her pen.