Japanese Literary Awards

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Nobuhiro Baba

ばば のぶひろ

Baba Nobuhiro

Pen Names: Nobuhiro Baba（Legal name / regular pen name）, Ryuzoji Shin（Pseudonym used for jidaigeki / historical fiction）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1941-11-05 （Hirakata, Osaka, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Hirakata, Osaka, Japan (birthplace) → Anaheim, California, United States (residence)

Career

Occupations
Actor (former), Writer, Non-fiction writer, Novelist
Active Years
1960-
Influenced By
Mori Ōgai
Nominations
39th Mystery Writers of Japan Award — Short story / collection category nominee (Zetaku na Kyouki), 45th Mystery Writers of Japan Award — Short story / collection category nominee (America Ice)

Education

Osaka Prefectural Shijonawate High School
Period: 1957-1960
Year of Graduation: 1960
Country: Japan
Meiji University, Faculty of Letters
Theatre
Period: 1961-1964（中退）
Year of Graduation: 1964
Country: Japan
Dropped out before graduating to pursue actor training

Awards

1st Entertainment Novel Prize
1978
Work: Kusuburi no Ryū
Organization: Kobunsha
Result: winner
Ginka Literary Award — Historical Fiction Excellence
2011
Work: Toashi Samurai
Category: 歴史小説
Organization: Ginka Literary Award Committee
Result: winner
Kyushu Saga Popular Literature Prize
2006
Work: Hagi-yaki Ibun
Organization: Kyushu Saga Popular Literature Prize Committee
Result: declined
World Film Story Competition — Special Prize
1994
Work: Coming Night
Organization: World Film Story Competition
Result: special prize

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Miracle of the Underdog Team

1981 Sports novel (Rugby)

A sports-centered narrative about a struggling high-school rugby team that, under a dedicated coach, overcomes obstacles to achieve remarkable results. Served as the basis for the TV drama 'School Wars'.

RugbyTeamworkRedemption / comeback
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] School☆Wars ("Seven Years' War of the Crybaby Teacher") (1984)

Yaraideka!

1982 Novel

One of the author's novels, containing elements of sports and human drama.

SportsHuman drama

Glorious No-side

1984 Non-fiction / Sports

A non-fiction-tinged work centered on rugby.

RugbyVictory and glory

Bibliography

  • The Miracle of the Underdog Team
  • Yaraideka!
  • Tennis: A Clever Improvement Method
  • Glorious No-side
  • School Wars - The Miracle of the Underdog Team (paperback)
  • Noside Legends — Fierce Battles! Waseda-Keio-Meiji Rugby
  • The Betrayal Try
  • Purple Wavelight
  • Ise-Tokyo Murder Currents
  • The Day the Shogi Federation Revived
  • Glorious Try
  • Kyoto Utsusemi Murder Case
  • Shonan Rugby Boys — Our Try
  • Afterwards: Shonan Rugby Boys
  • Dead Center, One More Pitch
  • Study Abroad Wars
  • The Blue Dove Murder Case
  • Fatal Bullet — Los Angeles University Professor Murder Case
  • Lost Bobby — The Story of a Hearing Dog
  • Imperial Army Special Agency: Oppenheimer Assassination Order
  • Parts
  • Courage Given by Yuji Matsuo
  • School☆Wars: Seven Years' War of the Crybaby Teacher

Adaptations

  • School☆Wars (TV drama, based on The Miracle of the Underdog Team)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Blends near-nonfiction factual depiction with fictional embellishmentHumanist tone in historical fiction
Recurring Motifs
Rugby and sporting spiritMentor-student relationshipsUnderdog resurgence

Legacy

Known widely for works centered on rugby and for the TV adaptation 'School☆Wars', which brought broad cultural impact. Also recognized for historical fiction and non-fiction; noted for public activities while residing in the United States.

Archives

  • Holdings in the National Diet Library (works and publications)

In Popular Culture

  • Influence of the TV drama 'School☆Wars' (teacher archetype, renewed interest in rugby)

Trivia

  • Uses the pen name "Ryuzoji Shin" for certain historical fiction pieces.
  • Resides in Anaheim, California, and has been active in the U.S. on issues including opposition to certain comfort-women statue installations.