Japanese Literary Awards

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Kimio Endo

えんどう きみお

Endo Kimio

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1933-01-01 （Ichinoseki, Iwate Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Ichinoseki, Iwate (birthplace) → Miyako, Iwate (residence)

Career

Occupations
writer, children's literature author, animal researcher, elementary school teacher (former)
Active Years
1973-2025
Affiliations
Wild Bird Society of Japan (Honorary member)
Memberships
Wild Bird Society of Japan (Honorary member)

Education

Iwa­te Prefectural Ichinoseki First High School
Country: Japan
Graduated from high school. No confirmed information on university attendance.

Awards

Japan Children's Literature Association Newcomer Award
1976
Work: The Eagle That Did Not Return
Organization: Japan Children's Literature Association
Result: winner
Japan Association of Children's Literature Writers Award (8th)
1984
Work: The Wasteland of the Thrushes
Organization: Japan Association of Children's Literature Writers
Result: winner
President's Award
2000
Organization: Japan Bird Protection Federation
Result: recipient

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Bats of the Primeval Forest

1973 nature / natural history

A natural history account of bats living in primeval forests, written with an educational tone accessible to younger readers.

ecologynature conservationeducation

The Eagle That Did Not Return

1975 children's literature / non-fiction

Through the story of an eagle and a hunter, the book explores human relationships with nature and perspectives on threatened species.

wildlifeconservationhuman-nature relationship

Invitation to Bear Hunting

1978 children's literature / nature

A book conveying the realities of wildlife and mountain life through hunting narratives.

wildlifefolk practicesnature observation

The Wasteland of the Thrushes

1983 children's literature / non-fiction

Follows the ecology and habitat changes of thrushes, with strong educational elements for young readers.

ecological changeenvironmental issueseducation

Bird Trade - The Tragedy of the Japanese White-eye

2002 non-fiction / investigative report

An investigative work reporting on the bird trade in China, detailing illegal sales and impacts on ecosystems.

illegal tradeinternational issuesecosystem conservation

Bibliography

  • Bats of the Primeval Forest
  • The Eagle That Did Not Return
  • Invitation to Bear Hunting
  • The Eagle That Did Not Return: The Story of Hunter Shichibei
  • Life of the Pheasant
  • The Wasteland of the Thrushes
  • The Golden Eagle and the Boy
  • The Blue Bird of Arirang
  • Why the Korean Tiger Disappeared
  • The Songs of Summer Birds Now: Emergency Reports from Rishiri to Iriomote (102 contributors)
  • Morioka Domain Hunting Diary: Wild Animal Records of the Edo Period
  • Bird Trade - The Tragedy of the Japanese White-eye
  • People of the Yankovsky Family

Style & Themes

Literary Style
plain prose suited for childrenreportage-style fact-based narrationdescriptions rooted in nature observation
Recurring Motifs
wildlife ecologyhuman-nature relationshipsconservation and environmental issues

Legacy

Known for works that link children's literature with nature conservation; contributed to public awareness of bird protection and environmental issues. His local observation records and investigative reports are valued.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Children's Literature Association
  • Japan Association of Children's Literature Writers

Trivia

  • A bat species was named after him in 1959 (Pipistrellus endoi).
  • He is an honorary member of the Wild Bird Society of Japan.
  • Former elementary school teacher; retired in 1974 to pursue a writing career.
  • Has lived in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture.