Shino Sakuragi's Latest Novel, 'Ijou ni Hizu,' Delving into the Truth of 'Parent and Child' and Human Drama Behind the Mitsubishi Bank Hostage Incident, Immediately Goes into Reprint!

In January 1979, Kiyoshi Hanakawa (30) took about 30 bank employees and customers hostage at the Hankyu Bank Kitabatake branch in Osaka City. The next day, the Osaka Prefectural Police flew a helicopter to try and persuade him through his mother, Kayo, who lived in Kagawa. However, for two hours before boarding the helicopter, his mother disappeared and was getting her hair done at a beauty salon. Hanakawa also refused to speak with his mother when she arrived. The incident ended with his shooting death, revealing not only Hanakawa's cruel actions inside the bank but also words he spoke about himself. Kondo, a desk editor at Mainichi Shimbun, was intrigued by these words. Although the incident was resolved, he felt nothing had been truly clarified, so he launched a serialized project in the newspaper and began his investigation.

The Mitsubishi Bank hostage incident, a 'cold case' of the Showa era and forever, is now explored in Shino Sakuragi's heartfelt full-length novel, 'Ijou ni Hizu,' which delves into the 'truth' hidden within the facts. It immediately went into reprint after its release! We hope you enjoy it.

■ Author's Comment

As I approached the end, I was struck by the fact that all wise men and criminals alike are born from women. From there, I felt it became a time for me, as a human being and a mother, to reflect anew on my own past.

◼️ Book Content

The most heinous bank hostage-taker—was he driven by his mother, a woman, society, or himself? The author, who has continued to depict parents and children and people in works like 'Hotel Royal' and 'Kazoku Jimai,' challenges this ultimate question in a full-length novel that approaches the truth.

◼️ Author Profile: Shino Sakuragi

© Shinchosha

Born in Hokkaido in 1965. In 2002, she won the All Yomimono New Writers' Award for 'Yukimushi,' the Shimase Love Story Literary Award for 'Loveless' in 2013, the Naoki Prize for 'Hotel Royal' in the same year, and the Chuo Koron Literary Prize for 'Kazoku Jimai' in 2020. Her other works include 'Hyoheigen,' 'Sajo,' 'Futarigurashi,' 'Hi no Kawa,' 'Kocho no Shiro,' 'Heroine,' 'Tani kara Kita Onna,' 'Jinsei Gekijo,' and many others.

◼️ Book Data

[Title] Ijou ni Hizu

[Author] Shino Sakuragi

[Release Date] April 22 (Wednesday)

[Binding] 46-size hardcover

[Price] 2,750 yen (tax included)

[ISBN] 978-4-10-327727-9
[URL] https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/327727/
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