Japanese Literary Awards

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Kimiko Aman

あまん きみこ

Aman Kimiko

Pen Names: Kimiko Aman（Legal name (maiden name)）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1931-08-13 （Fushun, Manchuria (now Fushun, Liaoning, China)）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Fushun (formerly Manchuria) → Xinjing (now Changchun) → Dalian → Osaka Prefecture (Toyonaka / Sakurazuka) → Tokyo → Nagaokakyō, Kyoto Prefecture

Career

Occupations
Children's literature author, Writer
Active Years
1968-
Influenced By
Joji Tsubota, Junichi Yoda

Education

Dalian Shinmei Girls' High School
Girls' high school
Period: 在学（1940年代）
Country: Former Manchuria (now China)
Enrolled at end of World War II
Osaka Prefectural Toyonaka Girls' High School (Sakurazuka High School)
Girls' high school (transferred and graduated)
Period: 1947頃 - 卒業
Country: Japan
Japan Women's University (correspondence, Child Studies)
Child Studies (correspondence) / Child Studies
Period: 通信教育 在学（年不明）
Country: Japan
Studied by correspondence while pursuing children's stories

Awards

Japan Children's Literature Association Newcomer Award
1968
Work: The Color of the Car, the Color of the Sky
Organization: Japan Children's Literature Association
Result: winner
Noma Children's Literature Recommended Works Award (Newcomer)
1968
Work: The Color of the Car, the Color of the Sky
Organization: Kodansha (Noma Children's Literature award-related)
Result: winner
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award
1979
Work: Beyond the Sheep Cloud
Organization: Sankei Shimbun
Result: winner
Obunsha Children's Literature Award
1981
Work: The Golden Boat
Organization: Obunsha
Result: winner
Shogakukan Literary Prize
1983
Work: Chiichan's Shadow-Sending
Organization: Shogakukan
Result: winner
Japan Picture Book Award
1986
Work: The Moon over Ponpon Mountain
Organization: Japan Picture Book Award Committee
Result: winner
Noma Children's Literature Award
1989
Work: Okko-chan and Tantan Rabbit
Organization: Noma Children's Literature Award Committee
Result: winner
Hirosuke Fairy Tale Award
1990
Work: There's No One
Organization: Hirosuke Fairy Tale Award Committee
Result: winner
Medal with Purple Ribbon
2001
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: decoration
Japan Picture Book Award
2004
Work: The Fox God
Organization: Japan Picture Book Award Committee
Result: winner
Tonen General Children's Culture Award
2016
Organization: Tonen General (corporate sponsor)
Result: winner
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award (Grand Prize)
2023
Work: The Color of the Car, the Color of the Sky: Even in Dreams
Category: 大賞
Organization: Sankei Shimbun
Result: grand prize

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Chiichan's Shadow-Sending

1982 Children's literature

A gentle story told from a child's perspective, sensitively portraying emotional shifts and family relationships.

childhoodfamilyimagination

Onita's Hat

1969 Children's literature

A folktale-like story combining gentle humor; well loved in educational settings.

folktalehumorgrowing up

The Color of the Car, the Color of the Sky

1968 Children's literature (short stories)

A short-story collection from the Biwa no Mi School, depicting small discoveries in everyday life from a child's viewpoint.

everyday lifechild's perspectiveimagination

Bibliography

  • The Color of the Car, the Color of the Sky (1968)
  • Onita's Hat (1969)
  • Chiichan's Shadow-Sending (1982)
  • The Fox God (2003)

Translations by Author

  • Christmas Bear (translation)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
gentle narrative voiceempathetic depiction from a child's perspectiveblending of reality and imagination
Recurring Motifs
skyanimalsfamilymemories of war (recollection)

Legacy

Incorporating wartime experiences and a child's perspective, she has published numerous children's books. Widely included in school textbooks and recipient of many awards, she is regarded as an important figure in contemporary Japanese children's literature.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Children's Literature Association

Archives

  • Kyushu University Library collection (related materials)

In Popular Culture

  • Many works included in elementary school Japanese language textbooks

Quotes

  • My memories are only of the days in Dalian.
    Source: Interview (Kyoto Shimbun, etc.) (2020)

Trivia

  • Born in Fushun, former Manchuria
  • Many works are included in elementary school textbooks
  • Awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2001