Photo/Illutration Recently found in Kyoto, a paperback edition of “Hitori Futayaku,” left, is smaller than a regular paperback. (Takuji Yoshizumi)

NABARI, Mie Prefecture--A shopkeeper found the only known pocket-book paperback edition of “Hitori Futayaku” (Double role) by mystery writer Edogawa Rampo (1894-1965) in an old warehouse in Kyoto.

The copy was donated to the Nabari city government and is currently on display at its library.

The title is an early work by Rampo, a Nabari native, and was initially published in the literary magazine Shin-Shosetsu in 1925.

According to an index of Rampo’s works compiled by the Nabari library in 2003, the short story has been printed on many occasions, included in paperbacks and anthologies of his complete works.

But its presence in pocket-book paperback form had not been confirmed, and the library’s index had said the exterior appearance and the number of pages of the book were unknown.

The recently discovered book was published by Chiheisha on May 15 in the year of Showa 23, which is 1948, according to the colophon.

The 62-page, B7-size publication is smaller than a regular paperback. It contains two short stories: “Kurotegumi” (Black hand gang) and “Hitori Futayaku.”

Kento Watanabe, 36, who runs antique kimono shop called Modoribashi in Kyoto, found the book in early January in a chest drawer when he bought items from a long-established family at a warehouse in the city.

Watanabe, who happens to be a long-time Rampo fan, immediately posted a photo of the book on Twitter.

It caught the eye of Shosaku Naka, 67, a former contract employee at the Nabari library who compiled the index. After Naka informed Nabari city officials of the discovery, the library contacted Watanabe, who was more than glad to donate the book.

According to Naka, neither the Edogawa Rampo Memorial Center for Popular Culture Studies (the Edogawa Rampo Residence) nor the National Diet Library had listed the paperback.

An index of works compiled by the author himself also says there was no complimentary copy.

“There are hardly any books by Rampo that remain unconfirmed, and this is the first finding of a new publication,” Naka said of the paperback.

“Hitori Futayaku” is about a man who impersonates someone else to pass the time and returns home to his beautiful wife. He initially enjoys her confused reaction, but he starts to feel differently when his wife develops feelings for the impersonated character.

Rampo had commented that the idea for the story was hastily developed and that it was poorly written.

However, Naka said, “It is a piece of work with the eternal themes for Rampo, including disguise and desire for transformation.”

The paperback is on display at the Edogawa Rampo section at the library along with his other works and related publications.

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