【11/23 (Sat) Event】Cosplay Event "1000 People of Kindaichi Kosuke" 〜 A Day for Detectives to Gather. Experience the World of Seishi Yokomizo in Mabi.

Do you know the three great detectives of Japan?
They are said to be the following three.

• Akechi Kogoro: Author Edogawa Rampo
• Kozu Kyosuke: Author Takagi Akimitsu
• Kindaichi Kosuke: Author Yokomizo Seishi

Each of these works represents the "Showa" era mystery novels and continues to captivate many fans even today. Many of the works set in "Okayama Prefecture" are part of the "Kindaichi Kosuke Series" created by Yokomizo Seishi.

The protagonist "Kindaichi Kosuke," along with characters such as "Inugami SukeKiyo" from "The Inugami Family" and "Tajimi Yozou" from "The Village of Eight Graves," as well as the notable Inspector "Isokawa," are characterized by their strong personalities.

An annual cosplay event featuring these characters, "1000 People as Kindaichi Kosuke," will be held in 2024 as well.

We have covered the charm of "1000 People as Kindaichi Kosuke."

Overview of "1000 People as Kindaichi Kosuke"

"1000 People as Kindaichi Kosuke" is a cosplay event that will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, in Mabi, Kurashiki City.

Participants will gather at JR Kiyone Station and walk approximately 5 km to the Kurashiki City Mabi Furusato History Museum.
The venue, Okayada in Mabi, is where the original author "Yokomizo Seishi" evacuated from 1945 to 1948 and is the setting for the first work in the Kindaichi Kosuke series, "The Honjin Murder Case."

The overview of the event and the application method are as follows.

A changing room will be provided at the meeting place, Kiyone Station East Exchange Square, where participants can change. Additionally, there is no parking at the meeting place, so please use public transportation to attend the event.

What is the charm of "1000 People as Kindaichi Kosuke"?

The protagonist "Kindaichi Kosuke" is characterized by wearing a kimono with hakama, wooden sandals, a worn-out hat, and holding a large leather briefcase, which is also depicted in the illustration of the recruitment pamphlet.

Notably, Kiyoshi Atsumi, who was cast as Kindaichi Kosuke in the film version at the request of Yokomizo Seishi himself, appears in a "jacket with a straw hat," while Akira Nakao appears without a hat, dressed in a denim vest and wearing a necklace, both showcasing unique styles.

This distinctive attire contributes to the excitement of the cosplay event, but what is even more interesting are the characters that appear in the works.

For example, in "The Honjin Murder Case," the "Three-Fingered Man" is a famous character.
On the day of the event, 150 cosplayers dressed as Kindaichi Kosuke and other unique characters will gather. They will walk through Mabi, which is both the evacuation site of the original author and the setting of the work.

Along the way, locals from Mabi will reenact scenes from the novel.

This is an event that makes you want to see it, even if you don't participate.

Places to visit during "1000 People as Kindaichi Kosuke"

The meeting place is Kiyone Station East Exchange Square.
This is the location depicted in the work "The Honjin Murder Case," where it is referred to as "Seiichi Station."

Additionally, the work features names such as "Kawaichi Village," "Okayada Village," and "Takaichigawa," all of which correspond to real place names: "Kawabe Village," "Okayada Village" (now Kurashiki City), and "Takahashi River."

Some dramas and films may have altered the place names, but the story's setting is modeled after a mansion near Yokomizo Seishi's evacuation home.

Since "The Honjin Murder Case" is the first work in the "Kindaichi Kosuke Series," it is indeed a fitting location for the "1000 People as Kindaichi Kosuke" event.

The event starts at Kiyone Station and involves walking approximately 5 km, concluding at the Kurashiki City Mabi Furusato History Museum.

Details of the "1000 People as Kindaichi Kosuke" project

We spoke with Noriko Yasuhara and Takahiro Miyake from the Kurashiki City Tourism Division about "1000 People as Kindaichi Kosuke," one of the highlight projects of the "Kindaichi Kosuke Trail."

Can you tell us the origin of the title "1000 People as Kindaichi Kosuke"?

Yasuhara (no honorific)

The title is not meant to imply that 1000 people will gather on the day of the event, but rather to express the desire for many people to participate.

The recruitment is for 150 people, and last year (2023), about 150 people participated.

When did the cosplay event start?

Yasuhara

It started in 2009, but due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was canceled in 2020 and 2021. This will be the 14th event in 2024.

Is it true that most participants cosplay as "Kindaichi Kosuke"?

Miyake (no honorific)

In 2023, 63 out of 150 participants were dressed as "Kindaichi Kosuke," so more than half were other characters. The next most popular was "Inugami SukeKiyo" from "The Inugami Family," but there are also many participants who choose more niche characters.

Yasuhara

Some participants dress in ordinary jackets as "Inspector Isokawa," who frequently appears in the series, or wear retro-style dresses as "Tamayo Nonomiya," who appears in "The Inugami Family."

Therefore, you don't necessarily need to prepare a special costume to participate comfortably.

Are there any participation benefits?

Miyake

All participants will receive a commemorative gift. In 2024, we plan to provide candles and posters (A2 size).

Basically, these items are made locally (in Kurashiki City), and for reference, in 2023, we provided small containers made from tatami edging.

Does that mean there are many participants from outside the prefecture?

Yasuhara

In 2023, there were 16 participants from within Kurashiki City, 25 from Okayama Prefecture (excluding Kurashiki City), and 109 from outside the prefecture, including participants from Hokkaido and Kumamoto Prefecture.

Additionally, even those who could not participate from afar have joined the parallel event "1000 Questions of Kindaichi Kosuke" (home examination) and expressed their desire to participate in the cosplay event next time.

Will there be other programs besides cosplay on the event day?

Miyake

One of the highlights is a skit recreated with the cooperation of local residents from Mabi. There will also be an optional event held on the same day, an "Exchange Meeting."

After the cosplay event, you can enjoy a gathering for fans of Seishi Yokomizo's works and Kindaichi Kosuke participants at the Okada Branch of Mabi Community Center (about a 10-minute walk from the cosplay event disbanding location).
Please apply in advance via the website using electronic application.

Conclusion

Seishi Yokomizo's works continue to maintain their unwavering popularity with remakes being produced even in 2024.

Actors who have played the role of Kindaichi Kosuke include "Kiyo Awatsumi," "Akira Nakao," "Koji Ishizaka," "Toshiyuki Nishida," "Ikko Furya," and "Takeshi Kaga," and recently "Etsushi Toyokawa," "Hidetaka Yoshioka," and "Shigeaki Kato," just to name a few.

The character of "Kindaichi Kosuke" has such timeless charm.

Moreover, despite the setting being in the early Showa period, the fact that it has been remade so many times may be due to not only the story and the protagonist but also the distinctive supporting characters.

For those who have not yet read or watched the works, please take this opportunity to do so.

Why not experience a mysterious autumn in Mabi, Kurashiki City, the place associated with the author Seishi Yokomizo and the setting of the first appearance of Kindaichi Kosuke in "The Honjin Murder Case"?

Data of 1000 Kindaichi Kosuke

Name	1000 Kindaichi Kosuke
Date	November 23, 2024 (Saturday) from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM (Registration from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM)
Location	Okada, Mabi, Kurashiki City
Participation Fee (including tax)	1,000 yen
Website	Kindaichi Kosuke Trail

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