Ashes by Kenzo Kitakata – Japanese Noir Classic from the Yakuza Underground

Description

Ashes was first published in 1990 and later translated into English in 2003. The story offers a deep dive into the life of Tanaka, a middle-aged Yakuza navigating the complexities of his criminal career and personal introspections. The narrative is divided into two distinct parts:

1. The Man Within: Presented in the third person, this section portrays Tanaka’s external world and actions, illustrating his role within the Yakuza hierarchy and his interactions.

2. Within the Man: Switching to a first-person perspective, this part delves into Tanaka’s internal contemplations, revealing his personal struggles and existential reflections.

Kitakata’s writing style is characterized by its hard-boiled, noir tone, reminiscent of classic crime fiction. Think Ellroy. Think Whitehead. Think Corleone. The novel has been praised for its nuanced character study and atmospheric depiction of the Japanese underworld. As noted in a review by Charlie Dickinson, the book offers “an absorbing character study, part Spillane, part Dostoevsky, but always hard-boiled.”

For readers interested in crime fiction that explores themes of aging, loyalty, and self-discovery within the context of organized crime, Ashes provides a compelling and introspective narrative.