[NHK Culture] Re-attracting attention with the release of the movie "Yatsuhaka-mura"! A lecture exploring the reasons why Seishi Yokomizo is still read, from literature and film, will be held at NHK Culture Chiba and Kashiwa Classrooms.

"Yatsuhaka-mura: The Kosuke Kindaichi File 1" by Seishi Yokomizo, KADOKAWA/Kadokawa Bunko *The cover design of the currently released version differs.

Chiba Classroom: Details here

Kashiwa Classroom: Details here

Seishi Yokomizo is once again attracting attention with the release of the movie "Yatsuhaka-mura" in September 2026.

NHK Culture will offer a course titled "Why Seishi Yokomizo's Works Are Still Read - Approaching the Power of Story and Film, Starting with 'Yatsuhaka-mura'."

This course will examine why Seishi Yokomizo's works have been read across generations and repeatedly adapted into films, using "Yatsuhaka-mura" as a starting point. It will decipher their universal appeal from both literary and cinematic perspectives.

Renewed Interest in Seishi Yokomizo Fueled by Film Release

"Yatsuhaka-mura" has been loved by many readers as one of Seishi Yokomizo's representative works.

It is known not only as a leading post-war Japanese本格ミステリー (honkaku mystery) but also as a work that strongly reflects unique Japanese soil, such as closed communities, old customs, and grudges.

While "Yatsuhaka-mura" has been repeatedly adapted into films and dramas, the upcoming movie release in September 2026 is drawing significant attention once again.

This course was planned to take advantage of this film release opportunity to re-examine the appeal of Seishi Yokomizo's works.

The lecturer will be Naotaka Yamaguchi, a professor at the Faculty of Letters, Nihon University, known as a leading authority on modern Japanese literature and detective fiction.

Professor Yamaguchi has been researching Seishi Yokomizo for many years and is at the forefront of research, including his recent work on investigating and transcribing Yokomizo's original manuscripts for works like "Yatsuhaka-mura" and "Gokumon-to" held by Nihon University. Nihon University is known for housing valuable materials related to Seishi Yokomizo and for its continuous preservation, investigation, and research. This course will provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the appeal of Seishi Yokomizo's works, focusing on "Yatsuhaka-mura" from both literary and cinematic perspectives, while incorporating the latest research findings.

Exploring the Power of Story and Film Through "Yatsuhaka-mura"

Why do Seishi Yokomizo's works strongly resonate with contemporary readers?

Starting with "Yatsuhaka-mura," this course will explore how motifs such as old customs and grudges shape the narrative, by unraveling the background of Seishi Yokomizo's creative process and the structure of his works.

It will also focus on how these elements have been translated into visual expressions in films and dramas, captivating audiences.

By exploring the reasons why Seishi Yokomizo is repeatedly revived, not only as a literary work but also as a repeatedly re-created cinematic work, the course will approach the question of "Why is Seishi Yokomizo's work reborn so many times?"

Why Seishi Yokomizo's Works Are Still Read - Approaching the Power of Story and Film, Starting with "Yatsuhaka-mura"

Lecturer: Naotaka Yamaguchi, Professor at Nihon University

Format: Classroom

Date and Time: Chiba Classroom - July 24, 2026 (Fri) 10:30-12:00

Kashiwa Classroom - September 25, 2026 (Fri) 10:30-12:00

Course Fee: Members ¥4,004 (incl. tax) / General Public (no membership required) ¥4,576 (incl. tax) - Material fee ¥330

Organized by: NHK Culture Center Chiba Classroom, NHK Culture Center Kashiwa Classroom

Details URL:

Chiba Classroom: https://www.nhk-cul.co.jp/programs/program_1332719.html

Kashiwa Classroom: https://www.nhk-cul.co.jp/programs/program_1337326.html