Japanese Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Hiraya Yoshiki

ひらや よしき

Hiraya Yoshiki

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1960-01-25 （Kuji, Iwate, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Kuji, Iwate (birthplace) → Kanegasaki, Iwate (residence)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Middle school art teacher, Illustrator, Screenwriter, Radio personality
Active Years
2000-
Affiliations
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan (SFWJ), Space Authors Club (SAC), Mystery Writers of Japan, Historical Period Writers Club, NEO (Next Entertainment Order)
Memberships
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan (SFWJ), Space Authors Club (SAC), Mystery Writers of Japan, Historical Period Writers Club, NEO (Next Entertainment Order)
Influenced By
Ryu Mitsuse
Nominations
Kadokawa Haruki Prize (Finalist, 1999)

Education

Osaka University of Arts
Faculty of Arts / Department of Fine Arts
Country: Japan

Awards

Komatsu Sakyo Prize
2000
Work: Eri Eri
Organization: Komatsu Sakyo Prize Committee
Result: Winner
Historical Period Writers Club Award
2014
Work: "Kingdom of the Wind" series
Category: シリーズ賞
Organization: Historical Period Writers Club
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Endymion Endymion

2000 Science fiction

Debut novel; a long-form work containing science-fiction elements and serving as the author's entry into professional fiction.

science fictioncivilizationhuman existence

Eri Eri

2001 Speculative fiction / SF

Winner of the 1st Komatsu Sakyo Prize; a core work in the "Eri Eri" saga.

identitycreationmemory

"Kingdom of the Wind" series

2012 Historical fiction / Historical fantasy

An expansive series blending historical elements centered on Balhae and the Khitan with fictional narratives; the series won the Historical Period Writers Club Award in 2014.

dynastyethnicityrise and fall of states

The Man Who Became Yoshitsune (series)

2011 Historical fiction

A set of works compiled from newspaper serialization. The series features the author's own illustrations during serialization and has been adapted for stage (modern ballet), among other formats.

Minamoto no Yoshitsunelegend and historytransformation of identity
Adaptations
  • [Independent film] Yoshitsune Northward Journey / 平谷美樹 (2011)
  • [Stage (modern ballet)] The Man Who Became Yoshitsune (stage adaptation)

Utayomigawa Tales

2005 Novel (regional literature / hobby-themed)

A work themed on fly-fishing, comprising stories that weave together regional setting and the author's hobby.

naturefishinglocal/region

Hyakumonogatari (True Ghost Story Collections)

2002 Ghost stories / Horror

A series of short-story collections combining true-record ghost stories; from the fifth volume some entries are coauthored with Mizuki Okamoto.

supernaturalfolkloredocumentary-style accounts

Bibliography

  • Endymion Endymion (2000)
  • Eri Eri (2001)
  • Resurrectio (2002)
  • The Golden Gate (2005)
  • Jukai: Seiten Shrine Strange Tales (2002)
  • Tsubokuu: Seiten Shrine Strange Tales (2004)
  • Hyakumonogatari: True Ghost Stories (2002)
  • Utayomigawa Tales (2005)
  • Utayomigawa Tales II (2008)
  • The Man Who Became Yoshitsune (Vol.1-4) (2011)
  • Kingdom of the Wind (10 vols) (2012–2013)
  • Saeyakushi Saheiji (2013)
  • Hagi Memorial: Gomiso no Tetsuji (2012)
  • Rangaku Detective Iwanaga Jun'an (2014)
  • Goshibukiya Yakurakudo Strange Cases (2016)
  • Edo Castle Cleaners (2017)
  • The Iron King (2017–2018)
  • Denderakuni (2015)
  • Kuwagasaki Double Suicide (2018)
  • The Great Uprising (2020)

Adaptations

  • Yoshitsune Northward Journey (independent film, 2011)
  • The Man Who Became Yoshitsune (modern ballet, stage adaptation)
  • 'Yellow Rice Curry' independent film screening at Morioka Film Festival

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Hybrid style traversing historical fiction, SF and ghost storiesDetailed description and brisk narrative pacing
Recurring Motifs
supernatural/ghosts and folklorehistorical figures and legendsnature (fishing, landscapes)craftsmanship and handmade culture (bamboo rod building)

Legacy

A versatile author spanning SF, historical fiction and ghost stories, known for works with strong regional character. As a local (Iwate) author he has contributed to cultural promotion and his works have been adapted to film and stage.

Academic Societies

  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan (SFWJ)
  • Mystery Writers of Japan
  • Space Authors Club (SAC)
  • Historical Period Writers Club

Archives

  • Held by the National Diet Library of Japan (NDL)
  • VIAF authority file entry
  • ISNI authority file entry

In Popular Culture

  • The Man Who Became Yoshitsune adapted for stage (modern ballet)
  • Independent film screenings at the Morioka Film Festival
  • Regional media exposure via newspaper serialization, radio and TV appearances

Trivia

  • Former middle-school art teacher; became a full-time writer in 2007.
  • Debuted with 'Endymion Endymion' (2000).
  • Won the inaugural Komatsu Sakyo Prize with 'Eri Eri'.
  • Known for rapid output; reportedly produced over 1,000 manuscript pages per month after turning professional.
  • Hobbies include oil painting, fly-fishing, and bamboo rod building.
  • Provided illustrations for his newspaper serialization 'The Man Who Became Yoshitsune'.
  • Has written and directed for an independent film circle (e.g., 'Yoshitsune Northward Journey').