Japanese Literary Awards

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Natsumaru Abe

あべ なつまる

Abe Natsumaru

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1960-01-01 （Toyota, Aichi, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Toyota, Aichi ( birthplace )

Career

Occupations
Author, Children's author
Active Years
1995-
Affiliations
BE-PAL (Shogakukan) — editorial responsibility, Member of haiku circle 'Shorai', Yahagigawa Aquarium (director)
Memberships
Shorai (haiku circle)

Education

Nagoya University of Arts
Faculty of Fine Arts
Country: Japan

Awards

Tsubota Jōji Literature Prize
1995
Work: Crying Fish That Cannot Cry
Organization: Tsubota Jōji Prize Committee
Result: winner
Mukuhatoju Children's Literature Prize
1995
Work: Crying Fish That Cannot Cry
Organization: Mukuhatoju Prize Committee
Result: winner
Hirosuke Children's Story Award
2002
Work: Tadpole Sports Day
Organization: Hirosuke Prize Committee
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Crying Fish That Cannot Cry

1995 Children's literature

A collection of stories depicting children and fish living by the river, portraying both the harshness and tenderness of nature.

riversnaturechildren

Oguri's Child

1996 Children's literature

A story about a child’s relationship with nature. Adapted into a drama by NHK.

naturecoming of ageriver
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Drama 'Ai no Uta' (Oguri's Child)

Invisible Enemy

1998 Children's literature

A work that portrays children's anxieties and conflicts from their perspective.

anxietyfriendshipgrowth

The Largemouth Bass's School Lunch

1999 Children's literature

A humorous depiction of the daily life of riverside creatures and children.

watersidecreatureseveryday life

Tadpole Sports Day

2002 Children's literature

A gentle story portraying interactions between children and creatures.

playcreaturesnature education

Bibliography

  • Crying Fish That Cannot Cry
  • Oguri's Child
  • Invisible Enemy
  • The Largemouth Bass's School Lunch
  • Thoughts While Fishing for Turtles
  • The Summer of the Giant Salamander
  • The Crayfish Trial
  • To Minekumo
  • Tadpole Sports Day
  • I Don't Want to Be Like My Father
  • Kappa-Stamp River Play Book
  • All About River Play: Welcome to the Babbling Brook Classroom!
  • The Pond Snail's School Festival
  • Kappa's Feast
  • There Is an Otter
  • Lying Daichan
  • The Dreaming Pillbug
  • Map of the Forest
  • The Seed of the Cicada
  • Medaka Field Trip
  • White Horse of the Waves
  • Let's Go! Kawanaka WOW Club
  • Kawanaka WOW Club's Summer Vacation
  • Kawanaka WOW Club's Fishing Battle
  • Goldfish Transfer Student
  • Please Climb a Tree to Find the Feeling You Want to Convey
  • Gang Age

Adaptations

  • Oguri's Child (adapted for NHK drama)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realistic prose with rich natural descriptionGentle narration aimed at children
Recurring Motifs
riverscreatureschildren's play

Legacy

Known for warm portrayals of rivers and children rooted in his upbringing around the Yahagi River, he is respected as a children's author. Many of his works have been used as recommended school reading and intersect with nature education and outdoor learning.

Museums

  • Yahagigawa Aquarium

Academic Societies

  • Shorai

In Popular Culture

  • Some works adapted for NHK drama

Trivia

  • He served as responsible editor for a column in Shogakukan's outdoor magazine BE-PAL.
  • He runs a painting class called 'Open House' at his home.
  • He is associated with the Yahagi River and has served as director of the Yahagigawa Aquarium (per source article).
  • He has written many children's books focusing on rivers and creatures.