Japanese Literary Awards

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Arthur Binard

アーサー・ビナード

Āsā Binādo

Pen Names: Asami Natto（Playful kanji rendering of his name used on business cards.）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1967-07-02 （Michigan, United States）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English, Japanese
Residence History
Michigan (birthplace) → Milan, Italy → New York (study/residence) → Hiroshima (residence)

Career

Occupations
poet, haiku poet, essayist, translator, children's book author, radio personality
Active Years
1990-
Memberships
Article 9 Association (9条の会), Member of Japan PEN Club

Education

Colgate University
English and American Literature / Department of English
Country: United States
Became interested in Japanese and kanji while preparing his graduation thesis

Awards

Chuya Nakahara Prize
2001
Work: Poetry collection 'Tsuriagetehwa' (literal: 'When I Haul It Up')
Organization: Chuya Nakahara Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Kodansha Essay Award
2005
Work: 『Nihongo Pokori Pokori』 (essay collection)
Organization: Kodansha
Result: 受賞
Japan Picture Book Award
2007
Work: Picture book 'This Is Home: Ben Shahn's Lucky Dragon No.5'
Organization: Japan Picture Book Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Yamamoto Kenkichi Literary Award (poetry)
2008
Work: Poetry collection 'Left and Right Safety' (literal)
Category: 詩部門
Organization: Yamamoto Kenkichi Literary Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Hiroshima Cultural Award (individual)
2012
Organization: Hiroshima Cultural Promotion Foundation
Result: 受賞
Kodansha Publishing Culture Award — Picture Book
2013
Work: Picture book 'Searching' (literal translation)
Category: 絵本賞
Organization: Kodansha
Result: 受賞
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award — Nippon Broadcasting Prize
2013
Work: Picture book 'Searching'
Organization: Sankei Shimbun / Nippon Broadcasting System (prize collaboration)
Result: 受賞
Waseda University Tsubouchi Shoyo Award — Encouragement Prize
2017
Organization: Waseda University
Result: 受賞
Japan Picture Book Award
2018
Work: Picture book 'Dome-Gatari' (literal: 'Tale of the Dome')
Organization: Japan Picture Book Award Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Tsuriagetehwa (When I Haul It Up)

2000 poetry

A collection of poems weaving everyday life and language; notable for poems written in Japanese by an English-language native.

languageeveryday lifecross-cultural experience

Left and Right Safety

2007 poetry

A poetry collection incorporating social perspectives and reflections on language; includes poems touching on political and societal themes.

societylanguagesafety/anxiety

Searching

2012 picture book

A picture book built with photography and words; deals with the viewpoint of searching for lost things and memories.

memorysearchingfamily and everyday life

Tale of the Dome

2018 picture book

A picture book mindful of conveying the memory of the Atomic Bomb Dome and war to the future; provides perspectives on the aftermath of the bombing.

peacememorywar and its consequences

Bibliography

  • Our cup of tea
  • Tsuriagetehwa (Poetry collection)
  • How Do You Feel?
  • Fish That Came from the Sky
  • Nihongo Pokori Pokori
  • Left and Right Safety
  • Searching
  • Tale of the Dome
  • Arthur's Words Diner
  • If There Were Poetry

Translations by Author

  • Oguma Hideo 'The Grilled Fish' (English translation)
  • Edited and translated 'Japanese Famous Poems, Dancing in English'
  • Numerous translations of children's books including works by Eric Carle

Style & Themes

Literary Style
conversational, near-colloquial toneplayfulness with words and sensitivity to soundvisual expression linked with photography and illustration
Recurring Motifs
language and translationcrossing borders / expatriate experiencewar, atomic bombing, and peaceeveryday scenes and family

Legacy

Known as an uncommon figure born in the United States who writes poetry and picture books in Japanese, he has influenced discussion on language, memory and peace through translation, writing and broadcasting.

Academic Societies

  • Japan PEN Club

In Popular Culture

  • Widely known through television and radio appearances and magazine columns
  • Long-running radio programs such as 'Arthur Binard Afternoon Fillet'

Trivia

  • He likes natto (fermented soybeans) and playfully lists the kanji 'Asami Natto' on his business card.
  • Frequently uses a bicycle for travel around Tokyo and nearby areas.
  • At 20 he went to Italy (Milan) to study Italian, later returned to the U.S. to graduate from Colgate University, and moved to Japan in 1990.