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[Ingrid]

I need our experts for this one.  The temporary title for my short story collection is MURDER IN ANCIENT JAPAN. I don't like it at all.  The term "ancient" is somewhat problematic and the rest is dull as dishwater.  So, please help me.  (The subtitle will be "The Akitada Stories")

The collection consists of 11 stories, arranged chronologically, each preceded by time and place (all in or near the capital but at different times of the year, incl. festival days).  They begin with the first case and end with a case when Akitada was about 50. The stories will be connected by very brief links to events in his life.

What I need is a title that fits the contents while also sounding temptingly Japanese.

Thanks, folks.

Ingrid

[Dave Freas]

Hi, Ingrid

Murder, Oriental (or Japanese) Style
Killing in Japan
The Ancient Art of Murder
Murder in the Japanese Style
A Yen for Murder (Couldn't resist it)
Murder is Not New

Just off the top of  my head.

Dave

[B L McAllister]

Death in old Nippon?

I forget what Marco Polo called Japan, but would that be too long ago?

Byron

[Susan August]

Here's a few for you.

Heian Who-Done-Its   
Behind/Beyond/Hidden by the Rising Sun (choose one!)
Mysterious Nippon
Nippon Nefarious
Gates to Death/Murder (or use Torii somehow?)  Could put torii at Miyajima picture on the cover.
Shrines of Death

Thanks to my daughter, Ashley for helping with ideas. 

Susan

[B L McAllister]

The Ōyashima Murders
 

[stevent]

Akitada Investigates

[Jonathon]

I like Dave's "The Ancient Art of Murder", but I'll try to put something in the pot as well.

This sounds a little haiku, but it might do the trick.

Blood on Cherry Blossoms

[Kathy Wendorff]

I'm not coming up with anything much, but perhaps you could use "antique" instead of "ancient Japan?"

Or maybe use some theme we associate with Japan? "Death and Honor: Mysteries of Antique Japan" Something like that?

I'll keep thinking.

Kathy W.

[Charles King]

Grasshopper to Tiger
The Honable One


Charles 

[Jay Hartzler]

Since all of the stories revolve around your MC, Akitada, I favor having his name in the title.

Akitada: Mystery, Honor, and Justice
Akitada's Casebook

[Ingrid]

Thanks a bunch.  You are all very kind to bother with this.  I liked "Blood and Cherry Blossoms" but had unfortunately used it for a story.    AKITADA INVESTIGATES or AKITADA'S CASEBOOK both make sense to me.  A great deal better than MURDER IN ANCIENT JAPAN. 
The problem with "ancient" is that 11th century is theoretically "medieval" in the West. "Feudal" might work but sounds like a historical textbook.
I'd like to use a Japanese word but since "shrines" and "gates" don't figure in any of the stories, that doesn't fit.
Thanks again.  If inspiration strikes, I'd love more.

Ingrid

[JIM DOHERTY]

Ingrid,

I know what I'm about to suggest is somewhat prosaic, but it's also descriptive which is exactly what a title should be.

Why not just use the subtitle as the main title and call it The Akitada Stories?

I'm thinking of van de Wetering's collection of Gripjstra and De Gier short stories which was called simply The Amsterdam Cops.  Sometimes simple titles say it best.

[scOttsummitt]

Hi Ingrid,

Saw your post looking for title ideas, so thought I'd riff on a few, based
on themes already presented here (eleven, time, life, death). I don't know
if these are any good, but here are some ideas to throw into the mix. 
How about...

Irebun: The Akitada Stories   (irebun = eleven in Japanese)
Death in the Rising Sun
Shoji: The Cases of Akitada  (shoji = birth/death in Japanese)
Akitada: Death in Time
Bridge of Heaven: The Akitada Journey
Shadows in the Land of the Dead   (Based on Yomi or "the shadowy land of the dead.")

I'll post any more that might come to mind. Hope these help.

scOtt

[penny]

Sorry I have no input - I'm not good at this even in Hebrew, so I won't attempt English. Now where is Matthew, our title champ?

However, I did see some great ideas people have posted. I just wanted to comment that I'm not sure putting Akitada's name in the main title as has been recommended here, would work. It's great for Akitada's fans, and he definitely has plenty of those, but I'm afraid someone who has never read an Akitada, wouldn't be tempted.

Penny

[Bob Mueller]

I like the "Journey" idea, or even something to do with "Journal." "Chronicles" is probably a little over-used, though.