This time, we interviewed novelist Keiya Iwai.Summer ShadowThe theme of the book is Kendo, which he holds dear. We were able to hear about his career choice as a novelist and his experience with Kendo during his student days!

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

Text: BUSHIZO Ueshima

Photo: BUSHIZO Kudo

Keiya Iwai

Hokkaido UniversityGraduated from the Graduate School of Agriculture.2018He made his debut as a writer in 2013 with his novel "Proof of Eternity" and won the 9th Yasei Jidai Frontier Literature Award. He has now published his second novel, "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 player 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 perhaps the most notable is 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 effort, 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 what made me want to write a sequel to that story.

However, I had a hard time finishing the writing, and this situation continued all the way through to university.I realized that this wasn't good, so I analyzed why I couldn't finish writing. I realized that maybe I wasn't reading enough. From then on, I worked hard to absorb as much information as possible until I graduated from graduate school.Once I started working and had settled down a bit, I thought, 'Maybe I can finish writing it now,' so I gave it a try 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“Even in kendo, basic 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 even when writing novels, it was necessary to first master the basics.I thought that reading might be a necessary form of training to acquire those fundamentals."

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

Iwai"I started reading pure literature, which I'm not very good at. 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 really wonderful job where you can get paid for 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'm doing what I love, so every day is fun."

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

Iwai"You mentioned earlier that it's difficult to finish writing a novel.Just like kendo, you can only reach your goal by steadily working hard every day.I don't think that your abilities will suddenly improve without any effort. It's difficult without daily effort.If you move forward even a little every day, you will 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 wrote it with that in mind. The cover design makes it clear at a glance that it's a novel about kendo, and I think it's a good 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 Watanabe Masayuki, he told me that "steady effort is the key to success." (Click here for an 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!

Mr. Iwai'sNew arrival"Shadow of Summer"is now on sale.

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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