Naoki Sanjugo Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 37 (1957) award
Masanori Esaki
えさき まさのり
Esaki Masanori
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1922-01-21 （Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan）
- Died
- 2001-05-24 age 79
- Nationality
- Japan
- Languages
- Japanese
- Residence History
- Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan → Tokyo, Japan → Philippines (Luzon, during wartime service)
Career
- Occupations
- Novelist, Editor, Publisher, Essayist
- Active Years
- 1940-2001
- Affiliations
- Koyama Shoten, Fuyume Shobo (founded/managed), Mainichi Shimbun (contributor), Japanese Communist Party (political activity in funds department)
- Memberships
- Japanese Communist Party
- Influenced By
- Koreya Chida, Shigeharu Nakano, Takagawa Kaku (Go teacher)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka Prefectural Meizen High School | — | — | — | — | Japan |
| Library Training School (図書館情報大学) | — | — | — | — | Japan |
Fukuoka Prefectural Meizen High School
Country:
Japan
Entered but left before graduation to move to Tokyo
Library Training School (図書館情報大学)
Country:
Japan
Attended a library training institution; served as an entry into editorial and publishing work
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Naoki Prize (Naoki Sanjugo Prize) | The Valleys of Luzon | — | Naoki Prize Selection Committee | Winner |
| 1991 | Okura Kishichiro Prize | — | — | Nihon Ki-in (Japan Go Association) | Recipient |
Naoki Prize (Naoki Sanjugo Prize)
1957
Work:
The Valleys of Luzon
Organization:
Naoki Prize Selection Committee
Result:
Winner
Okura Kishichiro Prize
1991
Organization:
Nihon Ki-in (Japan Go Association)
Result:
Recipient
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
The Valleys of Luzon
1957 War novelA novel based on his wartime experiences on Luzon in the Philippines, depicting returning soldiers' struggles and the realities of war.
WarRepatriationPsychology of soldiersPhilippine theatre
Pulmonary Surgery
1957 Autobiographical/medical novelBased on his own experience of lung resection surgery; addresses illness, convalescence, and the surgical experience.
Illness and convalescenceSurgical experienceBody and psyche
Unkei
1964 Historical novelA historical novel centered on the Buddhist sculptor Unkei, portraying artisans' lives and the art-historical context.
ArtisansBuddhist sculptureHistory
Go of the Showa Era
1967 Go essays / chronicleEssays and chronicles on the Go world during the Showa period, including player biographies and game reports.
GoPlayer biographiesGame reports
Go Seigen
1996 Biography / studyA biographical study of the Go master Go Seigen, summarizing his career, personality, and achievements.
GoBiographyStudy of a player
Bibliography
- The Valleys of Luzon
- Pulmonary Surgery
- The Age of Dead Children Vol.1: The Three Bomb Warriors
- The Age of Dead Children Vol.2: Sasarinndo
- Gentlemen of the Backstreets
- The Flower Magician
- Rubbish
- Lubang Island
- Age of Mixed Marriages
- Rikyu-ryu
- There Is a Flame Somewhere
- Shuffling Steps
- Mold of a Woman
- Record of an Embrace
- Unkei
- Crossroads
- Rock Shelf
- Prize Matches - Wandering Go Gambles
- Gambling Go Travels: Continued Prize Matches
- Hermit Crab
- Revenge
- Rainbow
- House of Spectator Games
- Elegy for Luzon
- Osaka Castle (Stories: Famous Japanese Castles)
- Go of the Showa Era
- The Pulse of Stone
- Winds and Snows at the Board
- Masters' Go Places
- Esaki Masanori's Books on Go (3 vols.)
- Go Joy Fellowship
- Go Seigen
- Playing in the Universe: My Go History
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Realistic depictions of warPopular fiction narrative styleReflective and biographical prose on Go
- Recurring Motifs
- Wartime experience and repatriationGo and professional playersArtisans and sculptorsIllness and convalescence
Health
-
Pulmonary disease (hemoptysis, lung resection)1955 - 1957（入院・手術を含む）After hemoptysis in 1955 and lung resection surgery, he underwent convalescence during which he wrote 'Ruzen no Tanima'. His surgical experience informed 'Pulmonary Surgery (Haigeka)'.
Legacy
Known for novels rooted in wartime experience and for deep writings on Go. He is noted for winning the Naoki Prize and for promoting cultural exchange in the Go community.
Archives
- National Diet Library (Japan)
- Chikuma Shobo (publisher archives / holdings)
Trivia
- Won the 37th Naoki Prize in 1957 for 'The Valleys of Luzon'.
- Known as an avid Go enthusiast; wrote biographies and model novels about Go players including Go Seigen.
- Contributed game reports on the Honinbo title matches to Mainichi Shimbun and was an active high-level amateur player.
- Experienced hemoptysis in 1955 and underwent lung resection surgery; this influenced his writing.
- Served in the 4th Air Unit in the Philippines during WWII and intensified literary work after repatriation.
- Worked in the funds section of the Japanese Communist Party for political activities at one point.
- Led Japan's cultural Go delegations to China from 1986 onward and participated in numerous exchanges (counted 13 visits).