Japanese Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Atsuo Saito

さいとう あつお

Saito Atsuo

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1940-06-20 （Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Children's literature writer, Editor
Active Years
1970-
Influenced By
Masayuki Yabuuchi

Education

Rikkyo University
Faculty of Law / Law
Country: Japan

Awards

Japan Association of Children's Literature Writers Newcomer Award
1971
Work: The Adventures of Glick
Organization: Japan Association of Children's Literature Writers
Result: 受賞
International Year of the Child — Special Andersen Award (Selected as a notable work)
1972
Work: The Adventurers: Gamba and His 15 Companions
Organization: International Year of the Child / Andersen Award
Result: 選出
Noma Children's Literature Prize
1983
Work: Gamba and the Otter's Adventure
Organization: Kodansha / Noma Culture Foundation
Result: 受賞
Yonehyappyo Award (19th)
2015
Organization: Yonehyappyo Award Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Adventures of Glick

1970 Children's literature 353 pages

Debut novel inspired in part by episodes about a pet chipmunk and the author's childhood. A children's adventure story about growth and discovery.

adventurecoming of ageanimals

The Adventurers: Gamba and His 15 Companions

1972 Children's literature (animal adventure) 391 pages

First of a series about a band of mice led by Gamba; conceived after the author encountered wild mustelids and based on field impressions. Became a long-seller and was adapted into TV anime and stage productions.

friendshipadventurecommunity
Adaptations
  • [TV anime] Gamba's Adventure (1975)
  • [Stage play] The Adventurers: Gamba and His Companions (Shiki Theatre Company) (1976)

Gamba and the Otter's Adventure

1983 Children's literature (animal adventure) 573 pages

A follow-up work focusing on otters (including research into the endangered Japanese otter), combining adventure with concern for wildlife and nature conservation.

conservationadventureanimals

Bibliography

  • The Adventures of Glick
  • The Adventurers: Gamba and His 15 Companions
  • Gamba and the Otter's Adventure
  • My Adventures: Toward Children's Time
  • What Children Seek Today: Growth and Stories
  • A Life Devoted to Children and Children's Books: Lecture Record
  • Tetsuo's Spring Vacation
  • Why I Turn to Fantasy
  • Yuta the Kappa's Adventures (Vol.1 & 2)
  • Children, Books, Prayer

Adaptations

  • TV anime "Gamba's Adventure" (1975, Tokyo Movie)
  • Stage play by Shiki Theatre Company: "The Adventurers: Gamba and His Companions"
  • Theatrical anime compilation film "The Adventurers: Gamba and 7 Companions" (1984)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
adventure-focused children's narrative styleuse of anthropomorphized animals
Recurring Motifs
companionship and solidaritycoexistence with naturecourage and coming of age

Legacy

The Gamba series became a long-seller and was adapted into anime and stage productions, widely beloved across generations. His combination of children's literature and animal adventure has had a lasting influence.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Association of Children's Literature Writers

In Popular Culture

  • Generational recognition through the TV anime "Gamba's Adventure"
  • Recurring stage productions by the Shiki Theatre Company

Trivia

  • His maternal grandfather was politician Bunkichi Tamura.
  • His debut work "The Adventures of Glick" was inspired by episodes about a pet chipmunk.
  • The Gamba series was conceived as a trilogy; the author did not intend extensive sequels.
  • He worked for many years as an editor at Fukuinkan Shoten and served as an editorial director.
  • In 2010 he published "Tetsuo's Spring Vacation," his first new fiction in 23 years.