Poplar Novel Grand Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 3 (2008) special award
Yuki Ibuki
いぶき ゆき
Ibuki Yuki
Pen Names:
Junko Nagashima（Pen name used when submitting to the Poplar Publishing Novel Award (for debut submission)）
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1969-01-01 （Owase, Mie, Japan）
- Nationality
- Japan
- Languages
- Japanese
- Residence History
- Owase, Mie (birthplace) → Yokkaichi, Mie (raised)
Career
- Occupations
- novelist, editor, freelance writer
- Active Years
- 2009-
- Affiliations
- Yokkaichi City Tourism Ambassador
- Nominations
- Nominee, 27th Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize (Midnight Bus), Nominee, 151st Naoki Prize (Midnight Bus), Nominee, 158th Naoki Prize (Kanata no Tomo e), Nominee, 39th Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers (Kanata no Tomo e), Nominee, 163rd Naoki Prize (Kumo o Tsumugu), Nominee, 34th Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize (Inu ga Ita Kisetsu)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chuo University | Faculty of Law | Department of Law | — | — | Japan |
| Mie Prefectural Yokkaichi High School | — | — | — | — | Japan |
Chuo University
Faculty of Law
/ Department of Law
Country:
Japan
Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Chuo University
Mie Prefectural Yokkaichi High School
Country:
Japan
Graduated high school
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Poplar Publishing Novel Award | Kazemachi no Hito | — | Poplar Publishing | 特別賞（受賞） |
| 2021 | High School Naoki Prize | Kumo o Tsumugu | — | High School Naoki Prize Committee | 受賞 |
Poplar Publishing Novel Award
2008
Work:
Kazemachi no Hito
Organization:
Poplar Publishing
Result:
特別賞（受賞）
High School Naoki Prize
2021
Work:
Kumo o Tsumugu
Organization:
High School Naoki Prize Committee
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award
2 appearances
-
Edition 39 (2018) nominee
-
Edition 46 (2025) nominee
Yamamoto Shugoro Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 34 (2021) nominee
Works
Major Works
Kazemachi no Hito
2009 NovelDebut novel. A character-driven human drama that delicately depicts family relationships and everyday nuances.
familypersonal growtheveryday life
The 49-Day Recipe
2010 NovelA human drama about loss and recovery that uses cooking as a lens to explore family relationships and healing.
lossfamilyfoodrecovery
Adaptations
- [TV drama] The 49-Day Recipe (2011)
- [Film] The 49-Day Recipe / タナダユキ (2013)
Midnight Bus
2014 NovelAn ensemble piece set on a night bus. It portrays intersecting lives and emotions during a journey, with themes of recovery and loneliness.
journeyrecoveryloneliness
Adaptations
- [Film] Midnight Bus / 竹下昌男 (2018)
Company
2017 NovelA story about people striving in the theatre and entertainment world. It focuses on bonds and effort among colleagues and has been adapted for stage and television.
companionshipefforttheatre
Adaptations
- [Stage] Company — Effort (Lesson), Passion, and Companions (Company) — / 石田昌也 (2018)
- [TV drama] Company: Gyakuten no Swan (2021)
Kanata no Tomo e
2017 NovelA human drama that reexamines relationships with friends and acquaintances living apart.
friendshiplossrecovery
Nadeshiko Monogatari
2012 Novel / SeriesA series exploring women's lives and relationships. Followed by sequels such as 'Chi no Hoshi Nadeshiko Monogatari' and 'Ten no Hana Nadeshiko Monogatari'.
womengrowthinterpersonal relationships
Ima wa Chotto, Tsuitenai Dake
2016 NovelA warm portrayal of people facing setbacks and their attempts to restart everyday life.
setbackrecoveryeveryday life
Adaptations
- [Film] Ima wa Chotto, Tsuitenai Dake / 柴山健次 (2022)
Kumo o Tsumugu
2020 NovelA novel weaving human relationships across generations. It was nominated for the Naoki Prize and won the High School Naoki Prize.
familygenerationsbonds
Inu ga Ita Kisetsu
2020 NovelA work that reflects on family and life through the relationship between dogs and humans.
familyanimalsmemory
Adaptations
- [Radio drama] Inu ga Ita Kisetsu (2025)
Bibliography
- Kazemachi no Hito
- The 49-Day Recipe
- Nadeshiko Monogatari
- Midnight Bus
- BAR Oiwake
- Omurice Biyori: BAR Oiwake
- Ima wa Chotto, Tsuitenai Dake
- Passionate Napolitan: BAR Oiwake
- Company
- Kanata no Tomo e
- Chi no Hoshi: Nadeshiko Monogatari
- Ten no Hana: Nadeshiko Monogatari
- Kumo o Tsumugu
- Inu ga Ita Kisetsu
Adaptations
- The 49-Day Recipe (TV drama 2011 / Film 2013)
- Midnight Bus (Film 2018)
- Company (Takarazuka stage 2018 / NHK drama 2021)
- Inu ga Ita Kisetsu (Radio drama 2025)
- Ima wa Chotto, Tsuitenai Dake (Film planned 2022)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- realistic, character-focused prosewarm, empathetic narration
- Recurring Motifs
- familyfoodjourneyrecoveryeveryday details
Legacy
Known for human dramas set in regional locales and depictions of relationships through food, her work has reached wide audiences through TV, film and stage adaptations. Winning the High School Naoki Prize helped broaden her influence among younger readers.
In Popular Culture
- 'The 49-Day Recipe' became widely known after TV and film adaptations
- 'Company' attracted attention in theatre after a Takarazuka stage adaptation and an NHK television adaptation
Quotes
-
I write about awkward people who are living their lives to the fullest.
Source: Chuo Online (interview) (2010)
Trivia
- Her debut, 'Kazemachi no Hito', was submitted under the pen name Junko Nagashima and won an award leading to her debut.
- 'The 49-Day Recipe' was adapted into an NHK TV drama and later a film.
- 'Company' has been adapted for the stage by the Takarazuka Revue and as an NHK television drama.
- She serves as a tourism ambassador for Yokkaichi City.