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Hisashi Asakura

あさくら ひさし

Asakura Hisashi

Aliases: 大谷善次 / 大谷圭二 / 深谷節 / 沢ゆり子 / 牟礼一郎 / 大谷圭二名義
Pen Names: Zenji Otani（Birth name; used on some early translations.）, Keiji Otani（Pen name used for magazine publications and some paperbacks.）, Fukaya Setsu（One of several pseudonyms used to diversify bylines.）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1930-03-29 （Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan）
Died
2010-02-14 age 79
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
translator, editor, essayist
Active Years
1962-2010
Affiliations
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan
Memberships
Member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan
Influenced By
Kurt Vonnegut, Philip K. Dick, William Gibson, Harry Harrison
Influenced
Haruki Murakami (has cited translations including Asakura's as influential), Subsequent generations of Japanese SF translators

Education

Osaka School of Foreign Affairs (later Osaka University of Foreign Studies)
English and American Studies / English and American Studies
Period: 1947-1950
Year of Graduation: 1950
Country: Japan
Entered 1947, graduated 1950. The school was later renamed Osaka University of Foreign Studies.

Awards

Japan SF Award (Special Prize)
2010
Category: 特別賞
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

When I Met a Kangaroo

2006 essay collection

An essay collection that includes a list of translations; contains reflections on translation work and the author's experiences.

translationhumorliterary reflection

The Sirens of Titan (translated by Asakura)

1972 science fiction

A Japanese translation of Kurt Vonnegut's novel; a satirical, humorous space adventure.

humorsatirefate

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

1969 science fiction

Translation of Philip K. Dick's seminal work, exploring identity and what it means to be human.

humanityidentityethics
Adaptations
  • [film] Blade Runner (film adaptation of the original novel) / リドリー・スコット (1982)

Bibliography

  • When I Met a Kangaroo (2006)
  • The Egg of Gluck (2007)
  • Numerous translations of international SF authors (Kurt Vonnegut, Philip K. Dick, William Gibson, etc.)

Adaptations

  • Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? → film 'Blade Runner'

Translations by Author

  • Kurt Vonnegut
  • Philip K. Dick
  • William Gibson

Style & Themes

Literary Style
accurate and readable translationsrendering of humor and irony in a natural style
Recurring Motifs
curation and promotion of humorous SFintroduction of American humor writing

Health

  • heart failure
    2010-02
    died from heart failure

Legacy

As one of Japan's leading translators of international science fiction, he introduced and translated many major works, significantly influencing the Japanese SF translation community and readership. He is also noted for promoting humorous SF. He received a posthumous Japan SF Award Special Prize.

Academic Societies

  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan

Archives

  • National Diet Library (holds works)

In Popular Culture

  • Works he translated have been adapted to film and other media, impacting Japanese audiences.

Quotes

  • Among translations that influenced me, I cite the Kurt Vonnegut translations by Shigeo Tobita and Hisashi Asakura.
    Source: Conversation with Haruki Murakami (published dialogue)

Trivia

  • Used many pseudonyms (Zenji Otani, Keiji Otani, Fukaya Setsu, etc.).
  • According to his essays, he never traveled abroad.
  • Published his first essay collection in 2006.