Novelist Iwai Keiya's kendo novel "Returning to That Summer" will begin serialization on the official BUSHIZO blog!

Returning to That Summer [Part 1] (Author: Keiya Iwai)

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.

Comment from Mr. Iwai

Iwai: "There is a new coronavirus outbreak,I believe that kendo enthusiasts are also going through a difficult period.As a writer, I think every day about how I can resist this situation in some small way.I hope this novel will help to boost the kendo world."

※Please also read the previous interview with BUSHIZO↓

"The basics are important in both kendo and writing" - An interview with novelist Keiya Iwai

In April 2019, Keiya Iwai published "Shadows of Summer," a book themed around kendo, a sport he holds dear. It received many positive reviews, and many readers were touched by it. If you haven't read it yet, be sure to purchase it on Amazon.

Synopsis of "Return to That Summer"

Five high school students have come to Tokyo to compete in the Inter-High School Men's Kendo Individual Competition.

With a director as his father,Kensuke Kikuchi from Kagoshima, who has continued kendo reluctantly, said,"If I make it to the top eight, I will quit kendo," he declared.Daigo Minato from Hokkaido was unknown until he was in junior high school, but in high school he became famous.He received instruction in "Kendo: Winning Even If It's Not Right" and quickly showed his talent.Osaka's Sho Ishizaka won the championship as a second-year student the previous year.They are considered the top contenders to win this year as well.Kota Fujinami from Fukuoka has been hailed as a genius swordsman since he was a child.He was called the "Crowned King" because he was never able to win the national championship.Although small, he takes the upper ranks.Urabe Motonobu, who participated in the Inter-High School Championships as a representative of Hiroshima, was considered a dark horse.And advance to victory.

The series will begin serialization on the BUSHIZO blog at a later date.