This time, we had the opportunity to interview novelist Keiya Iwai. His novel " Summer Shadows ," released in April 2019, is themed around kendo, which he holds dear. We spoke to him about his career choice as a novelist and his kendo days as a student!

This interview made me realize once again that there are no shortcuts to anything.

Text: BUSHIZO Ueshima

Photo: BUSHIZO Kudo

Keiya Iwai

Graduated from the Graduate School of Agriculture at Hokkaido University. In 2018 , he won the 9th Yasei Jidai Frontier Literature Award for his novel "Proof of Eternity," marking his full-fledged debut as a writer. He has now published his second work, "Shadow of Summer." He began practicing kendo in the fifth grade of elementary school and is a fourth-degree black belt.

Kendo experience

-Can you tell us what made you start kendo?

Iwai: "It all started when I saw a kendo class being held at a nearby gymnasium when I was in the fifth grade of elementary school. My parents encouraged me to take up the sport, and I was interested too, so I started."

-And you continued on from there through graduate school, right?

Iwai: "There were periods when I took a break, but I practiced kendo from the fifth grade of elementary school through graduate school."

- I don't think you can continue if it's just hard, so is there something fun about kendo that has allowed you to continue for so long?

Iwai : “I was the type of athlete who couldn’t win matches, so I don’t really have many memories of feeling happy after winning a match. I did find it fun when I was able to do techniques that I couldn’t do before.”

-What do you think is the best thing about doing kendo?

Iwai : "There are probably many things, but I guess it would be that I was able to develop my ability to concentrate. I feel that this has also been useful in writing novels. Writing a novel requires concentration and is something that you have to complete alone, but kendo is also an individual sport, and you have to concentrate and practice alone. I feel that there are similarities."

-Can you tell us what inspired you to start writing novels?

Iwai : When I was in elementary school, there was a magazine serial that I loved, but it ended after a year. That's when I wanted to write a sequel to that story.

However, I just couldn't finish writing, and this situation continued all the way through to university. I realized that this wasn't good, so I analyzed what was preventing me from finishing. I thought maybe I wasn't reading enough. From then until I graduated from graduate school, I worked tirelessly to absorb as much information as possible. When I entered the workforce and had settled down a bit, I thought, 'Maybe I can finish writing now,' so I tried it, and I was able to finish it."

-So you weren't able to write it right away! I'm ashamed to say that there was a time when I (Kamishima) tried to write a novel, but I just couldn't finish it. I gave up at that point, but why were you able to analyze that it was because I didn't have enough input?

Iwai : "In kendo, too, foundational strength is important. For example, it would be difficult for someone who doesn't know the basics of kendo to suddenly improve, right? I thought that with novels too, you first need to master the basics. I thought that reading might be an important form of training to master those basics."

-That's a very easy-to-understand example!

Iwai: "I started reading pure literature, which I've always found difficult. By increasing the amount of reading I do, I feel like I've been able to sort out which writings appeal to me and which ones don't."

-What do you find rewarding about actually being a novelist?

Iwai: "I'm the type of person who became a novelist because I love writing novels, so I think it's a wonderful job to be able to earn money by writing novels. I write novels every day."

-We love kendo and work in the kendo industry, and it's really fun every day.

Iwai: "I also enjoy every day because I'm doing what I love."

-Don't you think it's hard to write every day?

Iwai : "Earlier you said that it's difficult to finish writing a novel, but just like kendo, you can only reach your goal by steadily working hard every day. I don't think your skills will suddenly improve without any effort. It's difficult without daily effort. If you move forward even a little bit every day, you'll eventually reach your goal ."

-There are no shortcuts to anything.

New work "Shadow of Summer"

-Please tell us what inspired you to write Summer Shadows.

Iwai : For my second work after winning the award, I wanted to write a novel about kendo, which is an important part of my life.

The novel features the son of a criminal perpetrator and the son of a crime victim. I had some thoughts about the circumstances of those involved after a crime has occurred, so I thought I could write a novel about it by incorporating the theme of kendo."

-I read it, and after finishing it, the phrase that came to mind was "katsuninken" (life-saving sword).

Iwai: "I was conscious of exactly that when I wrote it. The cover design makes it clear at a glance that it's a novel about kendo, and I think it turned out to be a great piece of work."

-I felt that the film clearly expressed how by facing difficult situations head on rather than turning a blind eye to them, new paths can open up.

Iwai : Thank you very much. I wrote this novel with the aim of making it enjoyable for both kendo practitioners and non-practitioners, so I would be happy if many people read it.

Future goals

Iwai: "I want to write novels that will stay in the reader's memory. It's fine if they just say the story was interesting, or that they liked the characters in the novel. I want to write novels that will leave a deep impression on the reader."

-Thank you for today!

BUSHIZO Ueshima's thoughts

I was once again convinced that there is no other way to succeed than to work hard every day. When I previously interviewed the celebrity Masayuki Watanabe, he told me that "steady effort is the key to success." (Click here to read the interview with Masayuki Watanabe )

If you have a goal right now, instead of trying to take shortcuts, why not take to heart Mr. Iwai's words: "If you move forward even a little bit every day, you will reach your goal someday."

It was a wonderful interview, with some useful words of wisdom for the future!

Iwai's new work , "Shadow of Summer," is now on sale and receiving rave reviews.

You can purchase it here, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out!

"Shadow of Summer" by Keiya Iwai

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