Japanese Literary Awards

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Ashiko Imamura

いまむら あしこ

Imamura Ashiko

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1947-01-20 （Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
children's writer, translator
Active Years
1986-

Education

Musashino Art Junior College
Country: Japan

Awards

Noma Juvenile Literary Recommended Works Award
1986
Work: Chieko of Two Houses
Organization: Noma Cultural Foundation
Result: winner
Tsubota Jōji Literary Award
1986
Work: Chieko of Two Houses
Organization: Tsubota Jōji Award Committee
Result: winner
Arts Encouragement Prize (New Artist)
1986
Work: Chieko of Two Houses
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs (Arts Encouragement)
Result: winner
Robō no Ishi Children's Literature Award
1988
Work: Yoshio and Kanako / The Albatross / Chieko of Two Houses
Organization: Robō no Ishi Award Committee
Result: winner
Noma Juvenile Literary Award
1991
Work: Kagari-chan
Organization: Noma Cultural Foundation
Result: winner
Ehon Nippon Grand Prize
1991
Work: Kikki of the Beech Forest
Organization: Ehon Nippon Award Committee
Result: winner
Hirosuke Children's Story Award
1993
Work: The Old Swing in Pinecone Park
Organization: Hirosuke Award Committee
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Chieko of Two Houses

1986 children's literature

A children's novel sensitively depicting a child's feelings about family and belonging.

familysense of belongingcoming of age

Kikki of the Beech Forest

1991 picture book / children's literature

A picture-book entry in a series that conveys care for nature and animals.

naturefriendshipempathy

Kagari-chan

1992 children's literature

A story of daily life and growth told from the perspective of the protagonist, Kagari-chan.

everyday lifegrowthfamily

The Old Swing in Pinecone Park

1992 children's literature / short story

A heartwarming children's story set in a playground.

playmemoryfriendship

Bibliography

  • Chieko of Two Houses
  • Robinson Uncle
  • First Snow
  • Kikki of the Beech Forest
  • Kagari-chan
  • The Old Swing in Pinecone Park
  • Grandma's Christmas Tree
  • Grandpa's Time Machine

Translations by Author

  • Grandpa's Harmonica (Helen V. Griffiths)
  • The Little Pointed Hat Boy (Amanda Harvey)
  • Grandma Pig (Margaret Wild)
  • Leo the Late Comer (Robert Kraus)
  • Rosie and the Little Turtle (Margaret Wild)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
gentle and accessible narrationdepictions centered on a child's perspective
Recurring Motifs
nature and animalshome and belongingfriendship and growth

Legacy

Since her debut in the mid-1980s, Ashiko Imamura has been recognized for a warm, child-centered style across picture books and children's novels. Her original works and translations have contributed to Japanese children's literature.

Trivia

  • Born in Kumamoto Prefecture.
  • Graduated from Musashino Art Junior College.