Randy Taguchi

• Randy Taguchi

Randy (Keiko) Taguchi was born in 1959 in Tokyo. She has built her reputation and career through the Internet and an astute understanding of and interest in popular Japanese culture picking up on and writing about emerging cultural trends, fads and controversial issues that resonate with readers in print and online.

Original film poster for Outlet, released in X.

Her breakthrough debut novel published in 2000, Konsento (Outlet), is loosely based on the tragic story of her brother who starved to death after locking himself away in his room for almost a decade.

Her name has become synonymous with hikikomori, the term coined to describe the condition. 

The multi-award winning novelist and filmmaker Ryu Murakami, often described as the enfant terrible of Japanese literature who is best known for his novels Coin Locker Babies, In the Miso Soup and Almost Transparent Blue described Outlet as the best thing he had read in a decade.

Image of book cover of Outlet.

The book was described as “sexually charged and intriguing. New age mystery that is smart and well paced,” by The Library Journal, the respected American industry journal, founded in 1876.

The literal meaning of hikikomori is: ‘pulling inwards, being confined,’ and is a recognised technical medical term used by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare to describe individuals who refuse to leave their homes and rooms, and isolate themselves from society and social interaction for periods exceeding six months.

There are apparently an estimated 700,000 individuals in Japan who suffer from the syndrome; and the average age of sufferers is 31. 

The novel Outlet is part of a trilogy whose publication was quickly followed by Antenna (2000) and Mosaic (2001). It sold hundreds of thousands of copies in Japan and includes a lot of sex, but its unusual story means that it probably falls outside the traditional definition of a bonkbuster, despite its impact and female authorship.

• Taguchi often draws on personal experience and her own family troubles in her books

Taguchi has been nominated on several occasions for the Naoki Prize and won the inaugural Chuo Koron Literary Award in 2001 for her novel Dekireba mukatsukazuni ikitai (If Possible, I’d Like to Live without Getting Angry), in which she includes a frank account of her own troubled family. Other novels written by her include Fujisan (2004) and Marginal (2011).

She is still prolific and continues to write fiction and non-fiction, essays, travel logs and a blog. She has also recently started performing in plays and composing music. She is also trying to encourage the next generation of Japanese writers by regularly holding creative writing seminars in Tokyo.

She is on record as saying her favorite book is Kaleidoscope by the American writer Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) and that other authors she admires and have influenced her include Herman Hesse, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Haruki Murakami. In addition to essay collections, a diary and a book about her travels in Vietnam, Taguchi has also published several collections of short stories.

Her works have been published in English, Italian, Chinese and Romanian. Outlet was published in English by Vertical in 2003 and Fujisan by AmazonCrossing in 2012.

• Randy Taguchi

Some of the Japanese media have tried to turn Taguchi, and her difficult upbringing and subsequent career, into a high profile example of dysfunctional Japanese families and the post-war ills of modern Japanese society.

When Taguchi was 17, her mother walked out on her alcoholic abusive father, who apparently never managed to settle down when the Second World War ended before he and his Kamikaze unit could be deployed to fulfill the suicide missions they were being trained for. The strong willed and fiercely independent Taguchi decided not to live with her mother in Ibaraki, when her parents split up, but to forge her own independent life by moving to Tokyo after graduating from high school.

She started using the Internet as a creative outlet after becoming a mother herself using it to regain her independent identity using the name Randy, not her real name Keiko, to reassert her individuality and personality. Her novel Papillon, published in 2008, drew on her experience looking after her father in the final stages of his life. He died in 2008.

• Japanese Editions

• Minamata - Tenchi eno inori (Prayer: Heaven and Earth), 2021
• Dekireba mukatsukazuni ikitai (I'd Like to Live Without Getting Irritated If Possible), 2000
  Fujinkoron Literary Prize
• Sakasa ni tsurusareta otoko (The Man Hung Upside Down), 2017
• 
  Sakasa ni tsurusareta otoko (The Man Hung Upside Down), 2021[Bunko]
• Ima shiawase ni nacchae! (Become Happy Now!), 2016
• Riku to shiro no ookoku (Riku and the Kingdom of White), 2015
• Inochi no eeru hatsume okaasan kara musume tachi he (The Ale of Life: From Mother to Daughter), 2015
• "Arigatou" ga endoresu ("Thank You" is Endless), 2015
• Bukkyo no kosumorojii wo sagashite fukakushite atarashii bukkyo no ima taguchi randi taiwashuu (A Deep Look at the Cosmology of New Buddhism: A Dialogue Collection of Randi Taguchi), 2014
• Zazen gaaru (Zazen Girl), 2014
• Zoon nite (In the Zone), 2013
• 
  Zoon nite (In the Zone), 2016[Bunko]
• Sankaara kono yo no dampen wo taguriyosete (Sankharakkandha: Reeling in the Fragments of this World), 2012
• Watashi no aishita otoko nitsuite (About the Man I Loved), 2011
• Kibou no kyanpu fukushima kizzu kaki rinkangakkou (Hope Camp: Fukushima Kid's Summer Outdoor School), 2011
• Hiroshima, nagasaki, fukushima genshiryoku wo ukeireta nihon (Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Fukushima: The Japan That Accepted Nuclear Energy), 2011
• Arukanashika hito ha naze mienai mono wo mirunoka (Why Do People See What Can't Be Seen), 2011
• Maajinaru (Marginal), 2011
• 
  Maajinaru (Marginal), 2013[Bunko]
• Hebi to tsuki to kaeru (The Snake, the Moon, and the Frog), 2011
• Ikinaosuni mottekoi no hi (A Perfect Day to Live Again), 2009
• Chuugaeri no renshuu (Somersault Practice), 2009
• Kurenzu no mahou - hahatachi ga musume ni tsutaetekita hiden no koufukusho (Cleansing Magic: The Secret Book of Happiness), 2009
• Haeotoko (Fly Man), 2009
• Papiyon (Papillion), 2008
• 
  Papiyon (Papillion), 2012[Bunko]
• Kyua (Cure), 2008
• 
  Kyua (Cure), 2010[Bunko]
• 
  Souruzu (Souls), 2007[Bunko]
• Yorube naki jidai no kibou hito ha shinunoni naze ikirunoka (Hope in an Era with Nowhere to Go: If One is to Die Eventually, Why Continue Living), 2006
• Hibaku no maria (Maria of the Atomic Bomb), 2006
• 
  Hibaku no maria (Maria of the Atomic Bomb), 2009[Bunko]
• Sekai ni dakareru tameni (To Be Embraced by the World), 2005
• Tori ha mizukara no chikara dakedeha tobenai (Birds Can't Fly on Their Own Ability Alone), 2005
• Hikari no meriigooraundo (The Merry-go-round of Light), 2005
• Hikari no meriigooraundo (The Merry-go-round of Light), 2012[Softcover]
• Doriimu taimu (Dream Time), 2005
• 
  Doriimu taimu (Dream Time), 2007[Bunko]
• Hotsure to musubore (Fat and Conceited), 2004
• 
  Hotsure to musubore (Fat and Conceited), 2008[Bunko]
• Fujisan (Fujisan), 2004
• 
  Fujisan (Fujisan), 2006[Bunko]
• Seichi junrei (Sacred Pilgrimage), 2003
• 
  Mizu no junrei (Water Pilgrimage), 2006[Bunko]
• Kodama (Spirit), 2003
• Tabibito no kokoroe (Traveler's Knowledge), 2003
• 
  Tabibito no kokoroe (Traveler's Knowledge), 2007[Bunko]
• Itsuka mori de au hi made (Until the Day We Meet in the Forest), 2002
• Kunekune nikki (The Twisting Diary), 2002
• 7 Days in Bali (7 Days in Bali), 2002
• 
  Okutahbu (Octave), 2007[Bunko]
• Kamisama ha imasuka? taguchi randi no jinsei soudan (Does God Exist? Life Advice With Randi Taguchi), 2002
• 
  Kamisama ha imasuka? taguchi randi no jinsei soudan (Does God Exist? Life Advice With Randi Taguchi), 2005[Bunko]
• Haamonii no shiawase (The Happiness of Harmony), 2002
• 
  Haamonii no shiawase (The Happiness of Harmony), 2004[Bunko]
• 
  Engiri jinja (The Secluded Shrine), 2001[Bunko]
• Guruguru nikki (The Spinning Diary), 2001
• Mozaiku (Mosaic), 2001
• 
  Mozaiku (Mosaic), 2003[Bunko]
• 
  Mozaiku (Mosaic), 2007[Bunko]
• Sono yoru, boku ha kiseki wo inotta (That Night, I Prayed for a Miracle), 2001
• Ne wo motsu koto, tsubasa wo motsu koto (To Have Roots, To Have Wings), 2001
• 
  Ne wo motsu koto, tsubasa wo motsu koto (To Have Roots, To Have Wings), 2006[Bunko]
• Sakuban oaishimashou (Let's Meet Last Night), 2001
• 
  Sakuban oaishimashou (Let's Meet Last Night), 2005[Bunko]
• Tensei (Reincarnation), 2001
• Okaruto (Occult), 2001
• 
  Okaruto (Occult), 2004[Bunko]
• Taguchi randi no tsukurikata (The Style of Randi Taguchi: The Long Interview), 2001
• 
  Dekireba mukatsukazuni ikitai (I'd Like to Live Without Getting Irritated If Possible), 2004[Bunko]
• Antena (Antenna), 2000
• 
  Antena (Antenna), 2002[Bunko]
• 
  Antena (Antenna), 2007[Bunko]
• Konsento (Outlet), 2000
• 
  Konsento (Outlet), 2001[Bunko]
• 
  Konsento (Outlet), 2007[Bunko]
• Middonaito·kooru (Midnight Call), 2000
• 
  Middonaito·kooru (Midnight Call), 2003[Bunko]
• Baka na otoko hodo itooshii (As Affectionate as a Stupid Man), 2000
• 
  Baka na otoko hodo itooshii (As Affectionate as a Stupid Man), 2005[Bunko]
• Sukaato no naka no himitsu no seikatsu (Secret Life Inside a Skirt), 1999
• 
  Sukaato no naka no himitsu no seikatsu (Secret Life Inside a Skirt), 2001[Bunko]
• Mou shouhisura kairaku janai kanojo he (To the Girl Who No Longer Derives Pleasure From Consumption), 1999
• 
  Mou shouhisura kairaku janai kanojo he (To the Girl Who No Longer Derives Pleasure From Consumption), 2002[Bunko]
• Iyashi no mori hikari no ame furu shima Yakushima (Forest of Solace, Yakushima: Where the Light Rains Down), 1997
• 
  Hikari no ame furu shima Yakushima (Yakushima: Where the Light Rains Down), 2001[Bunko]
• Wasurenaiyo! Betonamu (I Won't Forget You! Vietnam), 1996
• 
  Wasurenaiyo! Betonamu (I Won't Forget You! Vietnam), 2001[Bunko]
• Chikara (foosu) wo tsukae! (Power: Use Force!), 2014Multi-Author Title
• "anoyo" no junbi, dekiteimasuka? (Are You Ready for the "After life?"), 2014Multi-Author Title
• Ikiru imi wo oshietekudasai-inochi wo meguru taiwa (Teach Me the Meaning of Living: A Discussion on Life), 2008Multi-Author Title
• Shinran ima wo ikiru (Shinran Lives in the Present), 2011Multi-Author Title
• Ikitetemo iikashira? se to shi wo meguru taiwa (Is it Okay to Live? A Discussion About Life and Death), 2008Multi-Author Title
• 
  Ora! mehiko (Hey! Mexico), 2005Multi-Author Title [Bunko]
• Kokoro no himitsu (The Heart's Secrets), 2002Multi-Author Title
• Karada no himitsu (The Body's Secrets), 2000Multi-Author Title
• 
  Karada no himitsu (The Body's Secrets), 2004Multi-Author Title [Bunko]

• English Editions

• 
  Fujisan, 2012[Paperback]
• 
  Outlet, 2003[Paperback]
• 
  Riku and the Kingdom of White, 2016[Paperback]

• Other Editions

• 
  Mosaico (Mosaic), 2008Italian Edition [Paperback]
• 
  Antenna, 2007Italian Edition [Paperback]
• 
  Presa elettrica (Outlet), 2006Italian Edition [CD audio]

• Prize-winning
• Prize nominee
• Adapted for Film/TV
• In Japan there are two major book formats tanko-bon (Tanko) and bunko-bon (Bunko). See Factbook for explanation. The smaller images above are of the Bunko Editions, small-format paperbacks.

• Readers:

I don’t write with a specific reader in mind, but I also don’t write just for myself. That being said, I am the first reader.

“Is the protagonist of this novel, ‘me,’ by chance?” I was surprised when I was asked this by many readers after the release of my first novel. Of course I replied to them saying, “This is merely a work of fiction. I don’t know you.”

“You ran away.” That is a comment I received with regards to my novel, Zone ni te (In the Zone), about the exclusion zone setup around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant. I guess they said that because I didn’t tackle the issue of the nuclear disaster head-on, but I don’t think tackling things head-on is what novels are for. I receive plenty of great comments, but for some reason it’s always the ones that irritate me that I remember.

• Books:

A novel of mine that I feel represents my works is Konsento (Outlet). It’s a difficult novel to explain but its one that drives you crazy.

Doriimu Taimu (Dream Time). It’s an allegorical short story in which reality and fiction merge together.

Both Outlet and Antenna have been adapted for film. Antenna was even shown at the Venice Film Festival.

I really like the cover for Outlet. I picked out the photo myself.

The title comes first, and the contents later. I generally get inspired by the title and use that to create an image for my work.

One year.

• Writing:

Almost all of what I write about is drawn from my own personal experience, including my dreams. I dream a lot – vivid and realistic dreams. I keep a dream journal and use it as a source when I write.

I get the urge to write from many different places and at varying times. For example, at dawn while in bed; or when I’m in a really good mood; or when an interesting idea pops into my head; or even whenever I gaze out on a memorable scenic view.

I’m not sure… There are times that I want to quit, but before I know it, I’m writing again. I often look at the job listings in the newspapers, but again, I’m writing before I know it. Where does this urge come from?

What is your typical approach to writing?

It has changed over the years. My stamina and endurance has declined since my debut 27 years ago. It’s gotten to a point to where I start to lose focus around 5:00 PM. Most of my writing is done in the early morning (5:00-7:00 AM). Around noon I get involved with various activities associated with being a writer – presentations, symposia, lectures, etc. I do what I can to avoid staying up late at night.

I’m not really sure. A 30-page short story may take about 3 months. When I made my debut, I was writing full-length novels in about 3-months. I made my debut around the time I was 40 so that schedule was probably due to having a lot of accumulated ideas. Right now I have a few themes I have been thinking about for more than 10 years that still haven’t come to fruition or end up as books.

When you are working on multiple pieces how do you avoid getting confused and stay efficient and creative?

Much like how you may have multiple eggs heating up at one time, I may have multiple ideas brewing, but I don’t write multiple pieces at the same time, I can’t. When I write, I focus on one piece at a time.

I really like onomatopoeia such as kirakira (sparkling), pikapika (shiny), wakuwaku (excited), soyosoyo (breezy) and sarasara (flowing).

I do my writing at a seaside apartment that’s about a 15-minute walk from my home. But I’ve come to do more drawing or reading there. Recently, I’ve found myself writing in my room at home first thing in the morning. I usually spend about 2 to 3 hours per session.

How would you describe your style of writing?

Like a grumbling complaining woman.

I haven’t.

Short stories.

Hunger and fatigue.

• Reading:

I read for about 1 hour before I go to bed.

An author that has influenced me the most… If I have to say it is probably Osamu Tezuka. While he isn’t a novelist, I believe I have read all of his works. I especially liked Phoenix.

I really liked Anthony Hopkins’ character in The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Dr. Hannibal Lecter. I was taken aback at how cool, calm and collected he was as a person despite being a villain and a madman. I was also fascinated by the fact that he wore Santa Maria Novella cologne in the film.

Osamu Tezuka’s short story Man in the Crater from the collection The Crater. It’s a story about an astronaut left on the moon, as he watches the Earth become engulfed in nuclear war. It somehow reminded me of the lyricism of Ray Bradbury, an author I was enthralled with in junior high school. I am especially fond of his novel, The Martian Chronicles.

Carl G. Jung’s Man and His Symbols.

No.

• Japan:

Because Japan is a miniature garden culture. There is a desire to condense the world into small things.

I don’t really think that international interest is growing, but I do think that the economic growth that Japan showed after being defeated in WWII is amazing. Two atomic bombs were dropped on us, and even our capital, Tokyo, received air raids, but we still managed to rebuild. Japan is a strange country.

Nothing, unfortunately…

The Showa Emperor (Hirohito), Hideki Tojo, and the Imperial Japanese Army. I think Japan was crazy during WWII. I wonder how a country could become that crazy. I’m especially interested in the manned suicide-torpedoes that were used as a last ditch effort in the war.

I don’t really think so. Speaking for myself, I don’t come from a literary background. I made my writing debut on the Internet. I feel that Japan’s literary scene is very tolerant.

• Interests:

Lawrence of Arabia (1962), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), Dogville (2003); I like all of Lars von Trier’s works. I think I am interested in people that are unstable or crazy. I don’t really want that to be the case, but looking at how I’ve answered these types of questions up until now, that must be the case.

I haven’t been in a film, but I would like to play an insane person if I had the opportunity.

Brian Eno. His environmental music is often used as background music. I also like vocals in music. The human voice calms me and provides me with relief.

I don’t go to karaoke much anymore, but when I do I make sure to sing the song “Diamond” by the Japanese group Princess Princess.

For anime I like Studio Ghibli’s Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984). I also like the manga it’s based on.

I would like be Nina from Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull (1896).

Mt. Hayachine in Iwate Prefecture.

Buddha and Christ.

Carl Gustav Jung.

The Dialogue Research Society (dialogue is something that I am exploring), Jomon Friends’ Society (recreating festivals from the Jomon Period at Jomon historical ruins), Kawachimura Village Exchange Council (We hold discussions regarding how we should live with or without nuclear energy), Colored Pencil Society (families and sufferers of developmental disorders), and the Buddhist Reading Society (a society for reading Buddhist literature) are all groups I’m associated with.

Women’s Volleyball.

• Life:

Carl Gustav Jung.

My love for my children.

When my unrequited love became mutual love.

Stress is something that is always there. So I don’t try to get rid of it. Total lack of stress is actually more stressful.

I’m a mother, a wife, and a woman.

Chocolate.

About 50,000 yen ($450).

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