Talk and Signing Event by Akutagawa Prize Winner Mariko Asabuki Announced!

Magazine House Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Shuichi Tetuo) is pleased to announce the nationwide release of Mariko Asabuki's essay collection 'Signal Flag K' on Thursday, July 9, 2026, available at bookstores and online retailers. To celebrate the publication, a talk and signing event featuring the author, Mariko Asabuki, will be held at Kinokuniya Bookstore Shinjuku Main Store.

Featuring the perspective of photographer Kenshu Shintsubo, who shot the cover and accompanied the series throughout its run

Titled after the international signal flag 'K,' which means 'I wish to communicate with you,' this collection compiles essays from Asabuki's long-running series in the magazine 'GINZA,' where she visited and conversed with guests from diverse fields—ranging from new acquaintances to close friends. Each issue delivered rich, engaging essays, now gathered into a single volume.

Her conversations spanned generations and disciplines, including musician Haruomi Hosono, writer Sayaka Murata, artist Yuriko Mori, and fashion designer Maiko Kurogouchi. For the book edition, Asabuki conducted a new interview and wrote an original piece with musician Ichiko Aoba.

At times, she visited not only people but also meaningful places.

She delicately and meticulously records the time and memories spent with others, from her own unique perspective.

For this event, photographer Kenshu Shintsubo, who shot the cover and accompanied Asabuki on every reporting trip during the 'GINZA' series, will join as a guest speaker.

Following the talk, a signing session will be held, where Mariko Asabuki will sign copies of the featured book 'Signal Flag K' (Magazine House / ¥3,300 including tax).

Event Information

Date and Time | Saturday, July 11, 2026 – Doors open at 14:40, event starts at 15:00

Venue | Kinokuniya Bookstore Shinjuku Main Store, 9th Floor Event Space

Admission Fee | Ticketed event, ¥1,000 (including tax)

※ The admission fee does not include the cost of the book for the signing. Please purchase separately.

【How to Participate】

・Advance registration is required.

・Please check the details on Kinokuniya Bookstore's official website, complete your registration, and attend accordingly.

・Customers wishing to participate in the signing session must purchase the featured book at Kinokuniya Bookstore Shinjuku Main Store before the event day.

・Featured Book | 'Signal Flag K' by Mariko Asabuki / ¥3,300 including tax (scheduled for release on July 9, 2026)

* The featured book will also be available for purchase at the venue on the day.

Registration link here

【Speaker Profiles】

Mariko Asabuki (Asabuki Mariko)

Born in 1984 in Tokyo. Debuted in 2009 with 'Ryuseki,' winning the Bunkamura Du Magokoro Literary Award in 2010 as the youngest recipient. Awarded the Akutagawa Prize in 2011 for 'Kikotowa.' Other works include 'TIMELESS,' essay collections 'The Sea Inside the Drawer' and 'Daitcho Kotoba Meguri' (photographs by Kayo). Scheduled to publish 'Yume' (Kawade Shobo Shinsha) in autumn 2026.

Kenshu Shintsubo (Shintsubo Kenshu)

Born in 1968 in Tokyo. Notable photobooks include 'Memory,' 'Spring Ephemeral,' '\Landscape,' and the collaborative work 'Rugged TimeScape' with Takashi Ikegami. Recent solo exhibitions include 'So Faint, So Subtle, So Minute' (Mizuma Art Gallery, Tokyo, 2023); group exhibitions include 'New Pictures' (The Reference, Seoul, 2025).

Message from Mariko Asabuki on the Publication of 'Signal Flag K'

This is my first essay collection in five years. It's a book of memories from conversations with people I deeply cherish. I spent about five hours talking with each guest.

Most of the editing and preparation for this book took place in Room 103, the social meeting room at Magazine House in Higashi-Ginza.

I stayed there like a living spirit, begging for snacks and devouring bento boxes, and somehow managed to finish it successfully.

Thank you very much for your support.

People Visited in 'Signal Flag K'

(in order of visit)

Sayaka Murata (novelist) / Haruomi Hosono (musician) / Aiko Miyanaga (artist) / Dominique Chen (information science researcher) / Fumitake Ezaki (musician) / Seiran Tsuno (artist) / Yukiko Takagi (photographer) / Tatsuko Shibusawa (essayist) / Makoto Sato (artist) / Michiko Kitamura / Michiko Nakamura / zAk (sound engineer) / Kurumi / Tsukiko Watari (Director, Watari-um Museum of Contemporary Art) / Yuriko Mori (artist) / Erika Kobayashi (writer, manga artist, artist) / Maiko Kurogouchi (designer, Mame Kurogouchi) / Ichiko Aoba (musician)

Table of Contents

'Visit Records'

Stuffed Animals Are Organic Matter

White Thighs

Hollowed-Out Cajun Chicken Bento from a Hotel Convalescence Stay

The Tail of a Dream

Memories Within a Painting

Time That Doesn't Become the Past

When I Remember, More Memories Come

Production Diary

The Beatles of the Japanese Confectionery Shop

When I Turn Into Liquid

My Only Friend

The House on the Cliff

Everything Is a Lie, Yet

Picking Autumn Grass

Heading Toward the Shibusawa Residence

Have a Good Dream

Truth Is Plural

The Girl in the White Collar

Sleeping with the Coffin

I Don't Understand What You're Saying

Scolded by a Ghost

A Demon Lives Inside the Cabinet

A Shell That Doesn't Crack Easily

The Ghost of Musashino

The Shy Punk

Friends Inside the Book

The Day I Became a Dog

A Story Heard Beside the Zelkova Avenue

Beloved Person

Flowing

Tantara

【Bibliographic Information】

Title: Signal Flag K

Author: Mariko Asabuki

Release Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026

Price: ¥3,300 (including tax)

Specifications: Hardcover B6 size, 332 pages

ISBN: 978-4-8387-3394-1

Publisher: Magazine House Ltd.

URL: https://magazineworld.jp/books/paper/3394/