Momiji Yamamura Makes Novelist Debut at 65! Full-Fledged Kyoto Suspense 'The Secret of Gion: Blood Swap' to be Released on June 17, the Same Age Her Mother Misa Yamamura Passed Away. A Forbidden Drama of Love and Hate Shaking the Kabuki World and Hanamachi.
Actress Momiji Yamamura, known as the "Queen of Suspense" for her long career in two-hour dramas, is making her highly anticipated novelist debut at the age of 65, the same age her mother, the "Queen of Mystery" Misa Yamamura, passed away. Her first novel, 'The Secret of Gion: Blood Swap,' will be released by Futabasha on June 17, 2026. The story, set in Kyoto's traditional geisha district and Kabuki world, depicts a human drama revolving around "family," "blood," and "talent," intertwined with forbidden love and hate.
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Book cover (with obi) Book cover (without obi)
Author Momiji Yamamura
Futabasha Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) will release the first novel by actress Momiji Yamamura, 'The Secret of Gion: Blood Swap,' 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 making her long-awaited novelist debut. This work is a novel that depicts a human drama revolving around "family," "blood," and "talent" within the two traditional cultures of Kyoto's geisha district and the Kabuki world, based on the observational skills and expressive power she cultivated as an actress, and her life experiences.
Her mother was Misa Yamamura, known as the "Queen of Mystery." This work is a debut novel with special significance, released by her daughter Momiji Yamamura at the milestone age of 65, the same age Misa Yamamura laid down her pen.
The story unfolds around the destiny and choices borne by people born into prestigious families. Decisions made to protect tradition eventually have unexpected effects on the next generation. Set in Kyoto, it is a dense story where the beauty and insularity unique to those who inherit traditional arts, as well as human desires and conflicts, intertwine.
"Whose child is this?"
Fate rewritten at the moment of birth. What should be protected, blood? Or... The truth is too cruel—. An exquisite mystery of love and hate that will keep you turning pages.
[Highlights of this Book]
* Nationally recognized actress Momiji Yamamura makes her novelist debut.
* Published at the age of 65, the same age her mother, the "Queen of Mystery" Misa Yamamura, passed away.
* A forbidden "blood swap" executed in the sacred traditional realms of Kyoto's geisha district and Kabuki world.
* A brilliant development unique to an author who knows suspense dramas inside and out, with all the scattered foreshadowing collected at once.
* Numerous realistic and immersive descriptions unique to an actress.
[Comment from Momiji Yamamura]
©Momiji Yamamura2026/Futabasha
As I wrote with a pen on manuscript paper, just like my mother, instead of on a computer, memories with my mother, such as the day I saw a maiko dance at a teahouse when I was 20, or the day a Kabuki actor visited our home, gave me one idea after another.
I would be very happy if you could feel "my mother's blood" when you read it.
[Bibliographic Information]
Book Title: The Secret of Gion: Blood Swap
Book Release Date: June 17, 2026
Author: Momiji Yamamura
Estimated Price: 1,980 yen (tax included)
Format: Shirokuban (B6 size)
Publisher: Futabasha
Book Design: Seiichi Suzuki Design Office
Cover Illustration: 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. Known as the "Queen of Two-Hour Suspense." She is making her novelist debut at the milestone age when her mother, author Misa Yamamura, laid down her pen.
Keywords:
Author Momiji Yamamura
Futabasha Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) will release the first novel by actress Momiji Yamamura, 'The Secret of Gion: Blood Swap,' 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 making her long-awaited novelist debut. This work is a novel that depicts a human drama revolving around "family," "blood," and "talent" within the two traditional cultures of Kyoto's geisha district and the Kabuki world, based on the observational skills and expressive power she cultivated as an actress, and her life experiences.
Her mother was Misa Yamamura, known as the "Queen of Mystery." This work is a debut novel with special significance, released by her daughter Momiji Yamamura at the milestone age of 65, the same age Misa Yamamura laid down her pen.
The story unfolds around the destiny and choices borne by people born into prestigious families. Decisions made to protect tradition eventually have unexpected effects on the next generation. Set in Kyoto, it is a dense story where the beauty and insularity unique to those who inherit traditional arts, as well as human desires and conflicts, intertwine.
"Whose child is this?"
Fate rewritten at the moment of birth. What should be protected, blood? Or... The truth is too cruel—. An exquisite mystery of love and hate that will keep you turning pages.
[Highlights of this Book]
* Nationally recognized actress Momiji Yamamura makes her novelist debut.
* Published at the age of 65, the same age her mother, the "Queen of Mystery" Misa Yamamura, passed away.
* A forbidden "blood swap" executed in the sacred traditional realms of Kyoto's geisha district and Kabuki world.
* A brilliant development unique to an author who knows suspense dramas inside and out, with all the scattered foreshadowing collected at once.
* Numerous realistic and immersive descriptions unique to an actress.
[Comment from Momiji Yamamura]
©Momiji Yamamura2026/Futabasha
As I wrote with a pen on manuscript paper, just like my mother, instead of on a computer, memories with my mother, such as the day I saw a maiko dance at a teahouse when I was 20, or the day a Kabuki actor visited our home, gave me one idea after another.
I would be very happy if you could feel "my mother's blood" when you read it.
[Bibliographic Information]
Book Title: The Secret of Gion: Blood Swap
Book Release Date: June 17, 2026
Author: Momiji Yamamura
Estimated Price: 1,980 yen (tax included)
Format: Shirokuban (B6 size)
Publisher: Futabasha
Book Design: Seiichi Suzuki Design Office
Cover Illustration: 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. Known as the "Queen of Two-Hour Suspense." She is making her novelist debut at the milestone age when her mother, author Misa Yamamura, laid down her pen.
Keywords: