Japanese Literary Awards

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Shinnosuke Abe

あべ しんのすけ

Abe Shinnosuke

Pen Names: Noyama Sōkichi（Pen name used for essays and literary pieces）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1884-03-29 （Kumagaya, Saitama, Japan）
Died
1964-07-09 （Tokyo, Japan） age 80
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Kumagaya, Saitama (birthplace) → Tomioka, Gunma (childhood) → Tokyo, Japan (career and deathplace)

Career

Occupations
Journalist, Political commentator, Essayist, Newspaper editor, University professor, NHK chairman, Foundation chair
Active Years
1908-1964
Affiliations
Tokyo Nichi-Nichi Shimbun (later part of Mainichi Shimbun), Mainichi Shimbun, Meiji University (professor), Japan Essayists Club (founder), Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), Abe Scholarship Foundation (founder)
Memberships
Japan Essayists Club (founder and first chairman), NHK board/management committee member
Influenced By
Kikuchi Kan, Kume Masao, Yokomitsu Riichi, Oya Soichi, Kimura Takeshi
Influenced
Postwar political commentators and essayists

Education

Gunma Prefectural Tomioka Middle School (old system)
Country: Japan
Spent childhood in Tomioka
Second High School (old system)
Country: Japan
Attended the old-system high school before entering Tokyo Imperial University
Tokyo Imperial University, Faculty of Letters
Faculty of Letters / Department of Sociology
Year of Graduation: 1908
Country: Japan
Graduated from the Department of Sociology

Awards

Bungei Shunju Readers' Award
1953
Work: Gendai Seijika-ron (On Contemporary Politicians)
Organization: Bungeishunju
Result: Winner
Kikuchi Kan Prize
1955
Organization: Bungeishunju
Result: Winner
Newspaper Culture Award
1956
Organization: Newspaper Culture Award Executive Committee
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Crime Problems

1920 Sociology / Research

A study addressing crime as a social problem, published as part of contemporary social issues research.

social issuescriminology

Ten Men in Times of Emergency: What They Did (ed.)

1933 Edited volume / Commentary

An edited volume documenting the actions of ten men during times of emergency.

historyaccounts of actions

New Studies of Individuals

1934 Essays / Criticism

A collection of essays on studies of notable individuals.

biographical essayscriticism

Biographical Studies of Modern Politicians

1953 Biographical studies / Political commentary

An edited volume analyzing modern Japanese politicians in biographical form, from Yamagata Aritomo to Tojo Hideki.

politicsbiographymodern history

On Contemporary Politicians

1954 Political commentary

A collection of essays on postwar politicians and political conditions.

postwar politicscommentary

The Fearful Husband: A Lifetime

1955 Essays

An essay collection in which he humorously recounts domestic life and his self-styled 'fearful husband' persona, expressing affection for his wife.

familyhumormarital relations

Atonement of Sharp Tongue: My Contemporary Critiques

1955 Contemporary criticism / Essays

A volume collecting his acerbic contemporary critiques and essays on politics and society.

contemporary criticismpolitical commentary

Bibliography

  • Crime Problems (Contemporary Social Issues Research)
  • Ten Men in Times of Emergency: What They Did (ed.)
  • New Studies of Individuals
  • Reader on Contemporary Social Conditions
  • New Age and New People
  • Human Beings and Society
  • Japan's Self-Awareness
  • Freedom and Responsibility
  • Questions and Answers Vol.9 (Praying at Dawn)
  • Memoirs of an Old Reporter
  • Studies of Contemporary Japanese Figures (ed.)
  • Biographical Studies of Modern Politicians
  • Excuse My Rudeness (co-author)
  • The Two Sides of the Times
  • On Contemporary Politicians
  • The Fearful Husband: A Lifetime
  • Atonement of Sharp Tongue: My Contemporary Critiques
  • On Contemporary Female Heroes: Twelve Representative Japanese Women
  • Collected Selections of Shinnosuke Abe (ed.)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
A friendly essayistic tonePolemical and sometimes caustic political commentaryA style mixing humor and irony
Recurring Motifs
The self-styled 'fearful husband' motif (a term of endearment)Biographical studies of politicians and political commentaryCivic engagement and the 'small acts of kindness' movement

Health

  • Myocardial infarction
    1964-07-09
    Died suddenly of a myocardial infarction while serving as NHK chairman

Legacy

A prominent journalist and political commentator active from the Meiji through Showa eras. He founded the Japan Essayists Club, served as NHK chairman, helped initiate professional title matches in Go and Shogi, and left a legacy in public discourse and institution-building. He also established the Abe Scholarship Foundation.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Essayists Club

Archives

  • Tama Cemetery (grave)
  • Abe Scholarship Foundation (archival holdings)
  • Mainichi Shimbun archives (holds related materials)

In Popular Culture

  • The 'Fearful Wife' monument in front of Isobe Station
  • Mentioned as one of the figures who popularized the phrase 'fearful wife' (used affectionately)

Quotes

  • 'Fearful wife' is a way of calling a beloved wife.
    Source: The Fearful Husband: A Lifetime (Kyosai Ichidaio) (1955)

Trivia

  • He styled himself as a 'fearful husband' and wrote about it in works such as 'The Fearful Husband: A Lifetime'.
  • Considered one of the pioneers of the 'small acts of kindness' civic movement in Japan.
  • As a newspaper culture editor he helped establish the professional title matches for shogi (Meijin) and go (Honinbo).
  • Died suddenly of a myocardial infarction in 1964 while serving as NHK chairman.
  • Named an honorary citizen of Tomioka in 1972.
  • The Abe Scholarship Foundation was established in October 1964 to carry on his philanthropic intentions.