Step into the sun-dappled gardens of Los Angeles, where Mas Arai, a gruff Japanese-American Hiroshima survivor, trades his pruning shears for a detective’s instincts in Naomi Hirahara’s captivating mystery series. This Edgar Award-winning saga blends heart-pounding whodunits with a poignant exploration of identity, family, and the echoes of history, making it a must-read for fans of cultural mysteries.
Mas Arai isn’t your typical sleuth. A 70-something gardener with a penchant for gambling, he navigates the complexities of post-WWII Japanese-American life while unraveling crimes that tie to his past. Hirahara’s series offers a fresh lens on the mystery genre, weaving rich cultural threads into every twist and turn.
How Mas Arai Began
Naomi Hirahara, a former editor at Rafu Shimpo, drew inspiration from her father, a Hiroshima survivor and gardener, to create Mas Arai. Born in Pasadena, Hirahara infused her debut novel, Summer of the Big Bachi (2004), with her family’s experiences and the Japanese-American community’s resilience. What started as a single story blossomed into a seven-book series, earning critical acclaim for its authentic voice and nuanced storytelling.
Hirahara’s journalistic background and deep ties to Southern California’s Japanese-American culture shaped Mas’s world. His clipped, accented dialogue and stoic demeanor reflect the Nisei (second-generation Japanese-American) experience, making him a unique and relatable hero in crime fiction.
The Heart of Mas Arai
The Mas Arai series spans seven novels, each a standalone mystery rooted in Los Angeles and beyond. In Summer of the Big Bachi, Mas confronts secrets from his Hiroshima past when a friend’s murder stirs old wounds. Gasa-Gasa Girl (2005) takes him to Brooklyn, where he solves a millionaire’s murder while mending ties with his estranged daughter. Snakeskin Shamisen (2006), an Edgar Award winner, dives into Okinawan culture as Mas investigates a gambling friend’s death. Hiroshima Boy (2018), the series finale, brings Mas back to Japan, closing his journey with a poignant case on a Hiroshima island.
Hirahara’s mysteries shine through themes of identity, justice, and reconciliation. Mas grapples with his dual Japanese and American heritage, the trauma of internment, and the weight of family loyalty. The series’ vivid settings— from L.A.’s multicultural neighborhoods to Watsonville’s strawberry fields—ground the stories in a rich historical context. Hirahara’s prose, laced with Japanese terms and Mas’s distinctive voice, immerses readers in a world where past and present collide.
Beyond the puzzles, the series explores the Japanese-American experience, from WWII internment to post-war struggles. Mas’s reluctant heroism and quiet wisdom make him a compelling guide through these layered narratives, blending noir thrills with heartfelt storytelling.
Why Mas Arai Resonates
The Mas Arai series has left a lasting mark on the mystery genre, earning praise for its cultural depth and authentic portrayal of Japanese-American life. Fans and critics, including Lisa See, laud its “sensitive insider’s view” of a community rarely centered in crime fiction. Translated into Japanese, Korean, and French, the series has reached global audiences, sparking conversations about identity and history.
Mas’s unlikely heroism and Hirahara’s vivid storytelling continue to captivate readers, proving that even a curmudgeonly gardener can be a literary icon. With a potential film adaptation of Summer of the Big Bachi in the works, Mas’s legacy is poised to grow, inviting new fans to discover his world.
- First Book: Summer of the Big Bachi (2004)
- Number of Books: 7
- Awards: Edgar Award for Snakeskin Shamisen (2007)
- Setting: Primarily Los Angeles, with ventures to Brooklyn and Hiroshima
Grab Summer of the Big Bachi and dive into Mas Arai’s world of mystery, culture, and heart. Your next favorite sleuth is waiting!