Robo no Ishi Literary Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 22 (2000) award
Taro Gomi
ごみ たろう
Gomi Taro
Pen Names:
Taro Gomi（Pen name used for published picture books and writings）
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1945-08-20 （Chofu, Tokyo, Japan）
- Nationality
- Japan
- Languages
- Japanese
Career
- Occupations
- picture book author, lyricist, designer, essayist
- Active Years
- 1973-
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuwasawa Design School | Industrial Design (ID) | Product / Editorial design | — | — | Japan |
Kuwasawa Design School
Industrial Design (ID)
/ Product / Editorial design
Country:
Japan
Failed entrance to Tokyo University of the Arts; graduated from Kuwasawa Design School (ID)
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Prize | Who Ate It? | — | Bunka Publishing Bureau | 受賞 |
| 1981 | Bologna Illustrators Exhibition Award | Calf's Spring | — | Bologna Children's Book Fair (Illustrators Exhibition) | 受賞 |
| 2000 | Robo no Ishi Literary Award | The Occasional Boy | — | Robo no Ishi Award Committee | 受賞 |
| 2019 | Kodansha Picture Book Award | The Desk Is a Desk | — | Kodansha | 受賞（第50回） |
| 2025 | Japan Picture Book Award (Grand Prize) | I Am a Boat | 大賞 | Japan Picture Book Award Committee | 受賞 |
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Prize
1978
Work:
Who Ate It?
Organization:
Bunka Publishing Bureau
Result:
受賞
Bologna Illustrators Exhibition Award
1981
Work:
Calf's Spring
Organization:
Bologna Children's Book Fair (Illustrators Exhibition)
Result:
受賞
Robo no Ishi Literary Award
2000
Work:
The Occasional Boy
Organization:
Robo no Ishi Award Committee
Result:
受賞
Kodansha Picture Book Award
2019
Work:
The Desk Is a Desk
Organization:
Kodansha
Result:
受賞（第50回）
Japan Picture Book Award (Grand Prize)
2025
Work:
I Am a Boat
Category:
大賞
Organization:
Japan Picture Book Award Committee
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Everyone Poops
1981 picture bookA humorous, frank picture book addressing bodily functions, normalizing and celebrating natural processes for children and caregivers.
the bodynaturehumor
The Goldfish Has Escaped
1982 picture bookA picture book with simple illustrations and playful structure that stimulates children's observation and imagination.
discoveryplay
Saru Rururu
1980 picture bookA rhythmic picture book for young children, characterized by wordplay and lively illustrations.
word playrhythm
Bibliography
- Everyone Poops
- The Goldfish Has Escaped
- Saru Rururu
- Lots of Words: Word Encyclopedia (10 vols.)
- Doodle Picture Book
Adaptations
- Taro Gomi Video Library (6 volumes)
- Taro Gomi Proverb Movies
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- concise, clear text with vivid, colorful illustrationshumor and observational depictions of everyday life
- Recurring Motifs
- everyday discoveriesword playgentle humor
Legacy
Drawing on a design education background, Taro Gomi established a simple, color-rich picture book style that has had a major impact on Japanese children's literature and picture book culture. He is beloved across generations with numerous awards and a wide body of work.
Archives
- Collections at the National Diet Library
In Popular Culture
- Works widely used in educational programs and read-aloud events
Quotes
-
Picture books are not merely children's books...
Source: Yomiuri Shimbun (award article) (2025)
Trivia
- Born in Chofu, Tokyo
- Alumnus of Toho Junior & Senior High School
- Fan of the Hanshin Tigers baseball team
- Was arrested in youth in relation to an automobile theft incident