Japanese Literary Awards

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Eto Mori

もり えと

Mori Eto

Pen Names: Eto Mori（Pen name (born Masami Mori)）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1968-04-02 （Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Tokyo, Japan

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Children's literature author
Active Years
1990-
Affiliations
Japan PEN Club (executive director)
Memberships
Japan PEN Club
Influenced By
Influenced

Education

Japan Children's Education College
Children's Literature Department
Country: Japan
Graduated from the children's literature program
Waseda University, Second Faculty of Letters
Second Faculty of Letters / Literature and Language
Country: Japan
Graduated from the literature and language course

Awards

Kodansha Children's Literature Newcomer Award
1990
Work: Rhythm
Organization: Kodansha
Result: 受賞
Mukuhatoju Children's Literature Award
1991
Work: Rhythm
Organization: Mukuhatoju Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Noma Children's Literature Newcomer Award
1995
Work: Orphan of the Universe
Organization: Noma Children's Literature Award
Result: 受賞
Robo no Ishi Literature Prize
1998
Work: Waltz with Almond Chocolate
Organization: Robo no Ishi Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Noma Children's Literature Award
1998
Work: Moon Boat
Organization: Noma Children's Literature Award
Result: 受賞
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award
1999
Work: Colorful
Organization: Sankei Shimbun
Result: 受賞
Shogakukan Children's Publishing Culture Award
2003
Work: DIVE!!
Organization: Shogakukan
Result: 受賞
Naoki Prize
2006
Work: Plastic Sheet Dancing in the Wind
Organization: Naoki Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Chuo Koron Literary Prize
2017
Work: Mikazuki
Organization: Chuo Koron Shinsha
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Rhythm

1991 Children's literature

Debut work focusing on subtle emotions of children.

coming of agefamily

Colorful

1998 Youth novel / Children's literature

A story about the meaning of life and renewal aimed at young readers. Adapted into live-action and animated films.

renewalidentityfamily
Adaptations
  • [Live-action film] Colorful / 中原俊 (2000)
  • [Animated film] Colorful / 原 恵一 (2010)
Translations
  • English: Colorful

DIVE!!

2000 Children's literature / Youth novel

A series about competitive diving, depicting team and personal growth.

sportsfriendshipcoming of age
Adaptations
  • [Live-action film] DIVE!! / 熊澤尚人 (2008)
  • [TV anime] DIVE!! (2017)

Plastic Sheet Dancing in the Wind

2006 Novel

A novel with delicate psychological描写about family and society; winner of the 135th Naoki Prize.

familylossrenewal
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Plastic Sheet Dancing in the Wind (2009)

Mikazuki

2016 Novel

A long novel addressing generations and education against the backdrop of postwar educational history. Winner of the Chuo Koron Literary Prize.

educationgenerationshistory
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Mikazuki (2019)

The Exit of Eternity

2003 Novel

A novel for adults dealing with relationships and questions of time.

human relationshipstime

Bibliography

  • Rhythm (1991)
  • Colorful (1998)
  • DIVE!! series (2000–2002)
  • Plastic Sheet Dancing in the Wind (2006)
  • Mikazuki (2016)
  • The Exit of Eternity (2003)

Adaptations

  • Colorful (live-action & animated films)
  • DIVE!! (live-action film & TV anime)
  • Mikazuki (TV drama)
  • Plastic Sheet Dancing in the Wind (TV drama)

Translations by Author

  • Gewitternacht (translation; original by Michel Lemyue)
  • Tommelise (translation; original by Hans Christian Andersen)
  • Winnie-the-Pooh (translation)

Translations of Works

  • Colorful — English translation: Colorful

Style & Themes

Literary Style
delicate psychological descriptionapproachable narrative voiceclear, accessible prose for children and young adults
Recurring Motifs
familyrenewal / new beginningsgrowth and self-discovery

Legacy

A contemporary Japanese author widely read for children's and youth novels. Praised for delicate psychological描写and depiction of relationships. Many works have been adapted for film, television and animation.

Academic Societies

  • Japan PEN Club

Archives

  • Authority records in the National Diet Library and other catalogs

In Popular Culture

  • Well known through film, anime and TV adaptations of works such as Colorful and DIVE!!

Trivia

  • Real name: Masami Mori.
  • Debuted with 'Rhythm', winning the Kodansha Children's Literature Newcomer Award.
  • Serves as an executive director of the Japan PEN Club.