Japanese Literary Awards

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Mari Akasaka

あかさか まり

Akasaka Mari

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1964-05-13 （Koenji, Suginami, Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Koenji, Suginami, Tokyo, Japan

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Essayist, Literary critic, Editor, Lecturer
Active Years
1995-
Affiliations
Bunka Gakuin, Lecturer, Department of Arts (Literary course), Hosei University, Visiting Professor (Japanese Literature), Appleseed Agency Ltd., Contract author
Nominations
Akutagawa Prize (120th, 1998 second half) nominee: 'Vibrator', Akutagawa Prize (122nd, 1999 second half) nominee: 'Muse'

Education

Kichijo Girls' High School
Country: Japan
Keio University
Faculty of Law / Department of Political Science
Degree: 学士
Country: Japan

Awards

Noma Literary New Face Prize
2000
Work: Muse
Organization: Noma Cultural Foundation
Result: 受賞
Mainichi Publishing Culture Award
2012
Work: Tokyo Prison
Organization: Mainichi Newspapers
Result: 受賞
Shiba Ryotaro Prize
2012
Work: Tokyo Prison
Organization: Shiba Ryotaro Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Murasaki Shikibu Literary Prize
2013
Work: Tokyo Prison
Organization: Murasaki Shikibu Prize Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Under the Butterfly's Skin

1997 Novel

A novel (collection-like) that examines bodies and desire, focusing on female corporeality and inner life.

bodydesireidentity

Vibrator

1999 Novel

One of her representative works portraying urban relationships, loneliness and corporeality. Later adapted into a film.

urban lifelonelinessthe bodysexuality
Adaptations
  • [Film] Vibrator / 廣木隆一 (2003)

Vanille

1999 Novel

Contains stories mixing sensuality and fantasy; notable for bodily depictions.

sensualityfantasythe body

Calling

1999 Novel

A collection of short stories depicting dissonance in contemporary society and interpersonal relationships.

relationshipsurban lifealienation

Muse

2000 Novel

A story about art, desire, and female agency. One of her award-winning notable works.

artdesirewomen

When He Was Her Woman

2003 Novel

A linked collection of stories addressing gender and transformation.

gendertransformationmemory

Tears of the Sun

2008 Novel

A novel exploring personal and social pain, addressing the impacts of history and violence.

historyviolencesuffering

Tokyo Prison

2012 Novel

A provocative work dealing with urban confinement and historical consciousness. Winner of multiple awards.

urbanityconfinementhistorical perception

The Emperor in the Box

2019 Novel

A recent work that reexamines power and memory through symbolic themes.

powermemorysymbolism

On Love, Sex and Existence

2020 Essay/Criticism

An essay collection on love, sex, and existence, containing philosophical reflections.

lovesexexistence

Bibliography

  • Under the Butterfly's Skin (1997)
  • Vibrator (1999)
  • Vanille (1999)
  • Calling (1999)
  • Muse (2000)
  • When He Was Her Woman (2003)
  • Tears of the Sun (2008)
  • Tokyo Prison (2012)
  • The Emperor in the Box (2019)
  • On Love, Sex and Existence (2020)

Adaptations

  • Vibrator (film adaptation, 2003, directed by Ryuichi Hiroki)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realistic and incisive prose with strong emphasis on corporealityDetailed, observant depictions of urban environments
Recurring Motifs
the bodydesirelonelinessmemorythe city

Legacy

A contemporary Japanese writer known for works centered on the female body and desire; notable for film adaptation(s) and multiple literary awards. Also active in teaching and literary criticism.

In Popular Culture

  • Vibrator (film adaptation, 2003)

Trivia

  • In the 1990s she worked as an editor for bondage- and fashion-related magazines.
  • Her novel 'Vibrator' was adapted into a film in 2003 (directed by Ryuichi Hiroki, starring Shinobu Terajima).
  • A 2015 essay series she wrote for the Shinano Mainichi Shimbun included statements that were later corrected and drew attention.