Japanese Literary Awards

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Takuya Asakura

あさくら たくや

Asakura Takuya

Profile

Gender
Male
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Novelist
Active Years
2003-

Awards

Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! Grand Prize (Gold Award, 1st)
2003
Work: Four Days' Miracle
Category: 金賞
Organization: Takarajimasha
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Four Days' Miracle

2003 Novel

Keisuke Kisaragi, a pianist whose career is cut short by an injury, takes in Chiori Kusumoto, a girl with intellectual disability and savant syndrome who demonstrates extraordinary piano talent. While traveling and performing, they meet Mariko Iwamura, a former classmate; after an accident Mariko's consciousness inhabits Chiori's body for a limited period, and the story follows their reflections, reconciliations and the emotional journey over four days.

familydisabilitymusicforgivenessidentity
Adaptations
  • [Film] Four Days' Miracle / 佐々部清 (2005)

Bibliography

  • Four Days' Miracle (2003, Takarajimasha)

Adaptations

  • Film 'Four Days' Miracle' (dir. Kiyoshi Sasabe, 2005)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
lyrical and emotionally driven prosecharacter-focused, introspective depiction
Recurring Motifs
piano and musicthe four-day time framememory and selfhealing and forgiveness

Legacy

His debut work 'Four Days' Miracle' (2003) became widely read, selling over 1.27 million copies including paperback editions, and was adapted into a 2005 film. The novel has been appreciated for its moving treatment of disability, family and music, and the film adaptation increased its public recognition.

In Popular Culture

  • The film adaptation drew attention to shooting locations (such as Tsunoshima), increasing local interest.

Trivia

  • The paperback edition contributed to total sales of 1.27 million copies (source in original text).
  • A manga adaptation by Hanako Uryu was published.
  • Winner of the Gold Award in the inaugural 'Kono Mystery ga Sugoi!' Grand Prize.