Japanese Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Gotō Ryūji

ごとう りゅうじ

Goto Ryuji

Aliases: 後藤 隆二
Pen Names: Gotō Ryūji（Pen name used for his children's literature (real name: Goto Ryūji / Takashi Goto)）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1943-06-24 （Bibai, Hokkaido, Japan）
Died
2010-07-03 age 67
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Children's literature author, Children's writer
Active Years
1967-2010
Affiliations
Representative of "Kisetsufu" (National Association of Children's Literature Doujinshi)
Memberships
Waseda University Children's-Story Society (Shonen Bungakkai), Kisetsufu (National Association of Children's Literature Doujinshi), Japan Children's Literature Association

Education

Waseda University, Faculty of Letters, First Department
Faculty of Letters, First Department / Literature
Country: Japan
Member of Waseda University children's-story society (later the Shonen Bungakkai) during study
Hokkaido Bibai East High School
Country: Japan
Alma mater (high school)

Awards

Kodansha Newcomer Award for Children's Literature
1966
Work: The Earth Is Full of Angels
Organization: Kodansha
Result: 佳作
Noma Children's Literature Recommendation Award
1970
Work: Friends in the Winter of the Earth
Organization: Noma Children's Literature Committee
Result: 受賞（推奨）
Japan Children's Literature Association Award
1977
Work: Shiroaka Dasuki Ko〇 no Hakaze
Organization: Japan Children's Literature Association
Result: 受賞
Obunsha Children's Literature Award
1979
Work: Hometown
Organization: Obunsha
Result: 受賞
Japan Children's Literature Association Award
1983
Work: The Boys
Organization: Japan Children's Literature Association
Result: 受賞
Noma Children's Literature Award
1993
Work: Still Ambitious: The Tale of Hidaka-mikuni
Organization: Noma Children's Literature Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Japan Picture Book Award (Grand Prize)
2007
Work: Mother, Are You Well?
Organization: Japan Picture Book Award Committee
Result: 大賞（日本絵本賞）
Japan Picture Book Award (Readers' Prize)
2007
Work: Mother, Are You Well?
Organization: Japan Picture Book Award Committee
Result: 読者賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Earth Is Full of Angels

1967 Children's literature

Debut work. A children's story portraying nature and friendship from the viewpoint of youths.

NatureFriendshipComing of age

Friends in the Winter of the Earth

1970 Children's literature

A novel depicting Hokkaido scenery and bonds among local children. Adapted into a Nikkatsu children's film in 1972.

Local communityFriendshipNature
Adaptations
  • [Film] Friends in the Winter of the Earth (1972)

Captain, It's Tough

1979 Children/Youth series

First in a series about boys. Adapted into a television drama in 1982.

FriendshipSchool lifeChallenges
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Captain, It's Tough (TV adaptation) (1982)

Mother, Are You Well?

2006 Picture book

A gentle picture book about the emotional connection between mother and child. Won the Japan Picture Book Award Grand Prize and Readers' Prize in 2007.

FamilyAffectionEveryday life

Bibliography

  • The Earth Is Full of Angels (Kodansha, 1967)
  • Friends in the Winter of the Earth (Kodansha, 1970)
  • Captain, It's Tough (Kodansha, 1979)
  • Mother, Are You Well? (Poplar Publishing, 2006)

Adaptations

  • Friends in the Winter of the Earth - 1972 Nikkatsu children's film
  • Captain, It's Tough - 1982 TV drama adaptation

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Accessible, emotive narrative suited for childrenEmphasis on local settings and detailed nature depiction
Recurring Motifs
NatureFriendshipLocal history and legendFamily bonds

Health

  • Intracerebral hemorrhage
    2010年7月
    Suffered an intracerebral hemorrhage and died on July 3, 2010. Direct cause of death and end of activities.

Legacy

Gotō Ryūji published numerous children's literature works from the 1960s through the 2000s, praised for his focus on local settings, nature depiction, and child-centered perspectives. As representative of Kisetsufu he led doujinshi activities and contributed to nurturing younger writers.

Academic Societies

  • Kisetsufu (National Association of Children's Literature Doujinshi)
  • Japan Children's Literature Association

Archives

  • Works are held and registered at the National Diet Library of Japan
  • Bibliographic records are registered in CiNii and other academic databases

In Popular Culture

  • Some works were adapted into film and TV dramas, contributing to children's popular culture

Trivia

  • Not the same person as kickboxer Ryūji Gotō.
  • Founded and long served as representative of the Kisetsufu doujinshi association.
  • A memorial gathering was held at Waseda University in November 2010.