Da Vinci Literary Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 4 (2009) grand prize
Kaeruko Akeno
あけの かえるこ
Akeno Kaeruko
Pen Names:
Kaeruko Akeno（Pen name used as an author name）
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1979 （Nakano, Tokyo, Japan）
- Nationality
- Japan
- Languages
- Japanese
Career
- Occupations
- Novelist
- Active Years
- 2010-
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waseda University, First Faculty of Letters | First Faculty of Letters | — | 学士（文学） | — | Japan |
Waseda University, First Faculty of Letters
First Faculty of Letters
Degree:
学士（文学）
Year of Graduation:
2001
Country:
Japan
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Da Vinci Literary Award | Matatabi Kiyoko's Cat Soul | 大賞 | Media Factory | Winner |
Da Vinci Literary Award
2009
Work:
Matatabi Kiyoko's Cat Soul
Category:
大賞
Organization:
Media Factory
Result:
Winner
Awards & Nominations
Ekinaka Bookstore Award
1 appearances
Works
Major Works
Matatabi Kiyoko's Cat Soul
2010 HorrorDebut novel that depicts uncanny events through relationships between cats and humans. Winner of the 4th Da Vinci Literary Award.
catsghostsfamily
Falling into the Sea
2012 Mystery / HorrorA meticulously structured novel with mystery elements based on thorough reporting; adapted into a WOWOW television drama in 2015.
investigationseafamilytruth
Adaptations
- [Television drama] Falling into the Sea (2015)
Station Stories
2013 NovelA multi-perspective novel set around stations, portraying intersecting lives; attracted wide media attention after publication.
stationshuman relationshipseveryday mysteries
I Will Leave Work on Time
2018 Social / Workplace fictionA workplace novel based on the author's experience as an office worker; explores work styles and workplace relationships. Adapted into a TBS television drama in 2019.
work styleworkplace relationshipswork-life balance
Adaptations
- [Television drama] I Will Leave Work on Time (2019)
Bibliography
- Matatabi Kiyoko's Cat Soul
- Falling into the Sea
- Eavesdropping for the Truth
- Station Stories
- The Makabe Family's Inheritance
- Selling the Philosopher's Stone
- Housework Across the River
- The Person Who Chronicles Companies
- Dark Girls' Talk
Adaptations
- Falling into the Sea — TV drama (WOWOW, 2015)
- I Will Leave Work on Time — TV drama (TBS, 2019)
- Housework Across the River — TV drama (TBS, 2025)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- thoroughly researched proselight, brisk writing stylesocially aware realism
- Recurring Motifs
- workplace relationshipsghosts and horror elementsfamily and inheritancestations and transit
Legacy
A contemporary Japanese author known broadly through media exposure and television adaptations. Her work combines horror elements with socially minded themes, reaching a wide readership and influencing public discussion about work styles and everyday life.
In Popular Culture
- Raised mainstream profile through television drama adaptations
- Widely discussed as a topical work on work styles
Quotes
-
She has gained popularity for a style characterized by thorough research and brisk prose.
Source: Wikipedia (Kaeruko Akeno) (2025)
Trivia
- 'Kaeruko Akeno' is a pen name.
- Debuted by winning the 4th Da Vinci Literary Award (2009).
- She previously worked in companies; that experience inspired 'I Will Leave Work on Time.'
- Several notable works have been adapted for television.
- Maintains an official X (formerly Twitter) account.