Do you know the great detective Kindaichi Kosuke?
Kindaichi Kosuke is the name of a famous character created by the mystery novelist Seishi Yokomizo, who was from Hyogo Prefecture.
The Kindaichi Kosuke series is a popular work that has been adapted into movies and dramas multiple times.
Mabi in Kurashiki City is the place where Seishi Yokomizo evacuated during the war, and it is here that "the great detective Kindaichi Kosuke" was born.
Since 2009, an event has been held every year where participants dress up as Kindaichi Kosuke or characters from Seishi Yokomizo's works and walk through Mabi, the hometown of the great detective.
In 2019, attention was drawn to the "Cosplay Event of 1000 Kindaichi Kosuke" as it was expected that the 1000th "Kindaichi Kosuke" would be achieved.
One year and four months after the heavy rain disaster in July 2018, fans of Seishi Yokomizo gathered in Mabi from all over the country.
We will introduce the warm exchanges between the fans of Seishi Yokomizo and the people of Mabi, as well as the lively atmosphere of the event!
Who is the mystery novelist Seishi Yokomizo?
Seishi Yokomizo was born in 1902 (Meiji 35) in Hyogo Prefecture.
From April 1945 (Showa 20), he evacuated for about three years to the Okada area of Mabi, which is near Funao-cho, Kurashiki City, his father's hometown.
Yokomizo, who grew up in the city and was not good at interacting with people, was greatly influenced in his later writing career by the exchanges with the friendly rural people who spoke in dialect, as well as the legends and rumors he heard from them.
The works featuring "Kindaichi Kosuke" were born from his interactions with the people of Mabi.
The first work to feature the great detective Kindaichi Kosuke, "The Murder Case at the Honjin," is set in Mabi.
About the Cosplay Event of 1000 Kindaichi Kosuke
Since 2009, the “Cosplay Event of 1000 Kindaichi Kosuke” has been held every year.
This event involves participants dressing up as Kindaichi Kosuke or characters related to Seishi Yokomizo's works and walking through Mabi, the place of origin.
At the beginning of the event, the number of participants was reportedly small.
Gradually, it became known among fans of Seishi Yokomizo across the country, and the number of participants increased.
Although the "Yokomizo Seishi Evacuation Home" and "Furusato History Museum" were spared from damage due to the heavy rain disaster in July 2018, the Mabi Community Center Okada Branch, where costumes and props for the event were stored, was flooded.
The holding of the event in 2018 was in doubt, but an external member of the Okada Community Development Council called for donations on Twitter under the title “Hometown Fund for the Great Detective” (commonly known as Kindaichi Fund) starting from July 20, 2018.
It was said that donations were collected under the names of famous detectives like "Kindaichi Kosuke" and "Edogawa Rampo," as well as characters and famous lines from Seishi Yokomizo's works, even if they were made anonymously or under pseudonyms.
Thanks to the warm support from across the country, costumes and props for the skits could be purchased, and the 10th "Cosplay Event of 1000 Kindaichi Kosuke" was successfully held in November 2018.
It is said that about 120 people participated, which is about three times the number at the beginning of the event.
Incidentally, Kindaichi Kosuke first appeared in a novel at Kiyone Station on November 27.
In connection with this, the event is held on the Saturday closest to November 27 every year.
The 11th "Cosplay Event of 1000 Kindaichi Kosuke"
On November 23, 2019, the 11th "Cosplay Event of 1000 Kindaichi Kosuke" was held.
Under a clear blue sky, many fans of Seishi Yokomizo gathered at the place where Kindaichi Kosuke first appeared, Kiyone Station in Soja City.
The gathering place was Kiyone Station East Exchange Square.
A simple tent was also set up as a changing room, and participants changed into their respective costumes.
Voices such as "It's been a while!" and "This time, you're in this cosplay!" were heard, and participants were enjoying themselves!
▼ The schedule for the 11th "Cosplay Event of 1000 Kindaichi Kosuke" is as follows.
| Time | Schedule |
|---|---|
| 12:00 | Registration begins (Kiyone Station East Exchange Square) |
| 12:30 | Departure ceremony (Kiyone Station East Exchange Square) |
| 12:45 | Departure |
| 16:30 | Dissolution (Kurashiki City Mabi Furusato History Museum) |
▼ The route after departure was as follows.
- Kiyone Station
- Kawabe Bridge
- Kawabe Honjin and Waki Honjin Ruins
- Ushitora Misaki Shrine
- Kawabe Post Office
- Okada New Road
- Okada Village Office Ruins
- Kawadaya (one meal restaurant)
- Nōcha Shrine
- Yokomizo Seishi Evacuation Home (Statue of Seishi Yokomizo)
- Senkoji
- Okada Lake (Orin statue)
- Kurashiki City Mabi Furusato History Museum (Kindaichi Kosuke statue)
Kiyone Station East Exchange Square: From Gathering to Departure Ceremony
Participants of various ages, from women in their 20s to older men, gathered in large numbers.
The event's navigator is Yoshimitsu Amimoto, known as the Kindaichi expert from Okayama Prefecture.
"This time, the number of participants is the largest ever at 143! The number of participants has been steadily increasing every year," said Amimoto.
"Since we are here, those dressed as Kindaichi Kosuke, please gather!" said Amimoto, and people in Kindaichi Kosuke costumes gathered.
Did you notice that each costume and appearance is different? This is because different actors have portrayed Kindaichi Kosuke in dramas and movies, leading to variations.
A person in a Kindaichi costume who brought a handmade fan saying "I love Mabi" came from Nagasaki Prefecture.
Fans from various regions, including Tokyo, Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture, and Osaka Prefecture, gathered, and the departure ceremony started in a friendly atmosphere.
The event's executive committee chairman, Hiroshi Moriya, also appeared in a Kindaichi Kosuke costume.
"Welcome to Mabi from afar! During the journey, the people of the Okada area will dress up as characters and welcome you with skits. We will do our best for Mabi to recover as soon as possible, so we appreciate your continued support," he greeted.
After that, the participants were divided into two teams: "Kindaichi Kosuke and the Yatsuhaka Village Team" and "Other Works Team," and they took commemorative photos in front of Kiyone Station.
First, they took a commemorative photo with characters from Kindaichi Kosuke and Yatsuhaka Village.
The catchphrase for taking photos was "Kindaichi!"
Next, it was the team of characters from works other than Kindaichi Kosuke and Yatsuhaka Village.
A striking lineup including "Sukekiyo" in a white mask gathered!
Coincidentally, even those who happened to use Kiyone Station were surprised.
Event to visit places related to Kindaichi Kosuke has started
The journey of about 5 kilometers from Kiyone Station to the final destination, the Kurashiki City Mabi Furusato History Museum, has started.
We are heading towards Kawabe Bridge, which connects Soja City and Mabi, Kurashiki City.
On the day of the event, the temperature was so high that it didn't feel like autumn, and we walked while sweating.
The Takahashi River visible from Kawabe Bridge sparkled, and walking while breathing in the autumn air felt good, with voices saying, "I'm glad I came." heard around.
The sight of people walking in costumes is a special scene only for this day.
Hospitality through a skit by residents of the Okada district in Mabi
Entering the old Sanyo Road in Mabi, we arrive at a scene from the work "Honjin Murder Case," which is set in Mabi.
The skit performed by local residents of Mabi faithfully recreates a part of "Honjin Murder Case"!
With ad-libs bringing laughter, the atmosphere remained cheerful throughout.
“In the first event, the skit actually started secretly,” Mr. Amimoto shared.
Along the way, a resident of Mabi said to the participants, "Thank you for coming to Mabi. We will do our best too."
Kawabe Post Office was demolished due to flooding from the heavy rain in July 2018 and has become vacant land.
▲ Ushitora Onzaki Shrine has a beautiful autumn scene with yellow and red leaves.
▲ The character holding the key to the "Honjin Murder Case," played by a resident of the Okada district, took a break.
Along the way, residents of the Kawabe and Okada districts waved to participants in front of their homes and encouraged them with "Do your best!" which was impressive.
Then, we arrived at the site of the former Okada Village Office via Okada New Road.
We are now 500 meters away from our destination, the "Yokomizo Seishi Sokaidaku."
Finally, to the 1000th Kindaichi Kosuke
The skit at the restaurant "Kawadaya" has begun.
When the event started in 2009, the performances were still inexperienced, but it seems they have improved to the point where they could be mistaken for real actors as the events progressed.
Next, a person dressed as Kindaichi Kosuke appeared.
With hesitant speech and a habit of scratching his head, he perfectly embodied Kindaichi Kosuke.
Wait, this voice sounds familiar?
It was Kaori Ito, the Mayor of Kurashiki City, dressed in Kindaichi Kosuke's costume!
The innkeeper of Kawadaya said,
“Mabi Town was flooded up to this area last year (July 2018 heavy rain).
But, it’s no good to keep saying it’s tough.
Many people have come, so we have to do our best.”
Her positive words received warm applause.
Then, Mayor Ito announced, “Surprisingly, the 1000th Kindaichi Kosuke is among us!”
A woman who participated from Hyogo Prefecture was called as the 1000th Kindaichi Kosuke.
When she pulled the kusudama shaped like the temple bell from "Gokumon Island"…
"Congratulations to the 1000th Kindaichi Kosuke!" A banner appeared from the temple bell!
▲Chairman Moriya Hiroshi and the 1000th Kindaichi Kousuke pose for a commemorative photo.
We also took a commemorative photo with the residents of the Okada area who performed a skit.
Everyone has such great smiles!
The famous line "It's a curse!" is a must-see, the shrine of the old woman with strong tea
About 30 meters south of the Yokomizo Seishi evacuation house, there is a shrine called "the old woman with strong tea."
This shrine is said to have appeared in "Yatsu Haka Mura" and is the origin of the name of the "old woman with strong tea" who shouted "It's a curse!"
"It's a curse! Outsiders go away, go away!" shouted the "old woman with strong tea" as she ran at us brandishing a sickle!
Everyone was very pleased with the warm welcome from the local residents.
To the Yokomizo Seishi evacuation house where the great detective Kindaichi Kousuke was born
As the locals welcomed us, we arrived at the "Yokomizo Seishi evacuation house."
Warm sweet sake was served, and the venue was lively.
Listening to the sound of the koto (Japanese stringed instrument) while gazing at the garden was quite soothing.
As I gazed at the garden, which retains the atmosphere of the time, I pondered how Yokomizo Seishi must have looked at this garden while writing his works about 70 years ago.
The temple that served as the model for "Senkoji" appearing in Gokumon Island
If you proceed along the narrow road to the right of the Yokomizo Seishi evacuation house, you will see a grave.
The place at the top of the slope is Senkoji.
The temple's priest also welcomed us with "Welcome."
To the Orin statue near Okada Oike
Okada Oike is located near the evacuation house.
When Yokomizo Seishi was stuck in his writing, he would walk around this Okada Oike.
It is said that Yokomizo would walk while pulling at his long hair and muttering to himself.
Nearby is the statue of "Orin," a key character in "The Devil's Handball Song."
A skit by local residents featuring "Orin" was performed, and there was excitement with a three-shot photo of a participant dressed as "Orin" and the "Orin statue."
To the final destination "Kurashiki City Mabi Furusato History Museum (Kindaichi Kousuke statue)"
In front of the "Kurashiki City Mabi Furusato History Museum," rice balls, sweet red bean soup, and warm tea were served.
The local residents warmly welcomed everyone.
Participants also purchased local specialties such as boiled bamboo shoots from Mabi.
Original goods such as Kindaichi masking tape and tote bags were also on sale.
Finally, people from the Okada area gathered and gave their greetings.
“I was so happy to see so many people gather today that I could almost cry.”
It was said that they were greatly encouraged by the fans of Seishi Yokomizo who gathered from all over the country.
The event, filled with the feelings of fans who love the works of Seishi Yokomizo, concluded successfully in the deep autumn of Mabi.
Conclusion
The 11th Cosplay Event: 1000 Kindaichi Kousuke, held in the first year of Reiwa (2019), was a heartwarming experience for fans of Seishi Yokomizo who visited and were healed by the hospitality of the people of Mabi.
I felt that it has the charm of becoming a second hometown for participants, making them want to visit every year.
Once again, the warmth of the people of Mabi and the participants' love for the works of Seishi Yokomizo were conveyed through this event.
Forgetting to report, I thoroughly enjoyed myself as well.
I hope more people will come to know the charm of this event and be inspired to visit Mabi.
Why not visit the hometown of Kindaichi Kousuke, Mabi?
Data on the Cosplay Event: 1000 Kindaichi Kousuke
| Name | Cosplay Event: 1000 Kindaichi Kousuke |
|---|---|
| Date | November 23, 2019 From 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Location | Okada area, Mabi |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | 500 yen |
