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Setsuko Hasegawa

はせがわ せつこ

Hasegawa Setsuko

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1944-02-08 （Hirata, Shimane Prefecture (now Izumo), Japan）
Died
2011-10-18 （Minato, Tokyo, Japan） age 67
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Writer, Children's literature author, Picture book author, Nursery teacher
Active Years
1987-2011

Education

Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
Faculty of Foreign Studies, Department of French / Department of French
Country: Japan
Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, The University of Tokyo
Faculty of Letters, Philosophy (left without completing) / Philosophy (incomplete)
Country: Japan
Left graduate program in philosophy before completion

Awards

Japan Picture Book Award (Grand Prize)
1999
Work: Kitsune Nyobo (retelling)
Organization: Japan Picture Book Award Committee
Result: Winner
Tsubota Jōji Literary Prize
2004
Work: Ningyō no Tabidachi (The Dolls' Departure)
Organization: Tsubota Jōji Prize Selection Committee
Result: Winner
Mukuhato-jū Children's Literature Award
2004
Work: Ningyō no Tabidachi (The Dolls' Departure)
Organization: Mukuhato-jū Children's Literature Award Committee
Result: Winner
Akai Tori Literary Prize
2004
Work: Ningyō no Tabidachi (The Dolls' Departure)
Organization: Akai Tori Prize Committee
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Ningyō no Tabidachi (The Dolls' Departure)

2003 Children's literature

A children's story that, through a tale about dolls, explores themes of growth, farewell, and friendship.

growthfriendshipfarewell

Kitsune Nyobo (The Fox Bride) — retelling

1999 Retelling of folktale

A picture-book retelling of a Japanese folktale, reinterpreting traditional motifs for contemporary children.

folktalestraditionre-evaluation of values

Bibliography

  • Mizu
  • Children and Picture Books
  • Mekkira Mokkira Doondon
  • Fushigi na Yadoya
  • Kyodai na Kyodai na
  • Okkyo-chan and the Kappa
  • Hints of Happiness (co-authored with Hiroshi Hasegawa)
  • I'll Hold the Umbrella for You
  • U-ra Urara Spring Festival
  • Ningyō no Tabidachi (The Dolls' Departure)
  • Kukku Kukku
  • I Hear, I Hear: Sounds and Voices of Pictures
  • Tan Ki Poon Kitan Kororin: A Collection of Fun Songs
  • Going Out, Bye-bye
  • Men Men Baa
  • Kurai Kurai
  • Rolling Hat
  • Aka-kun and Makka-chan
  • The Mysterious Christmas Box
  • Dragonfly's Eyes
  • Open This Room
  • Sea-Mountain Battle (original idea by Kenji Uezawa)
  • Sakura
  • When Picture Books Wake Up
  • The Magic Cup
  • Ojorapon

Style & Themes

Literary Style
gentle narrationreinterpretation of folktalesstructures suitable for young children
Recurring Motifs
retellings of folktaleschild's perspectiveanthropomorphized animals and dolls

Health

  • Myelofibrosis
    2011
    Died in 2011 due to myelofibrosis

Legacy

She published many works in children's literature and picture books, notable for retellings of folktales and books for very young children. Winner of major prizes such as the Tsubota Jōji Literary Prize, she left a lasting impact on the field of children's literature in Japan.

Archives

  • Materials held by the National Diet Library of Japan

Trivia

  • Her husband was the philosopher Hiroshi Hasegawa.
  • Her experience working as a nursery teacher influenced her creative work.
  • She once ran a cram school.