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Akira Ishiguro

いしぐろ あきら

Ishiguro Akira

Pen Names: Kokuyōseki (Obsidian)（Pen name used for fiction writing）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1954-01-01 （Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Hiroshima Prefecture (birthplace) → Hyōgo Prefecture (grew up) → Osaka Prefecture (current residence/work)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Physician (internal medicine)
Active Years
2002-
Memberships
Seismological Society of Japan (related via volunteer participation in summer school)
Nominations
Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award (nominee)

Education

Miyazaki Medical College (now University of Miyazaki)
Faculty of Medicine
Degree: 医学士
Country: Japan
Graduated from medical school and has worked as an internal medicine physician.

Awards

Mephisto Prize
Work: Kirishima
Organization: Kodansha (Mephisto)
Result: 受賞
Japan Geological Society Award
Work: Kirishima
Organization: The Geological Society of Japan
Result: 表彰
Miyazawa Kenji Prize (Encouragement Award)
2005
Work: Kirishima
Organization: Miyazawa Kenji Society / Iihatov Center
Result: 奨励賞
Japan Geological Society Award
Work: Shinsai Rettō (Archipelago of Earthquakes)
Organization: The Geological Society of Japan
Result: 表彰

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Kirishima

Disaster novel

A debut novel about an eruption of Mt. Kirishima, combining geological description with human drama.

volcanoesdisastergeology

Shito Nippon

2002 Disaster novel

A long-form disaster novel set in Japan, published by Kodansha.

disasterurban collapsegeology
Adaptations
  • [Manga] Kagutsuchi / 監修: 石黒耀 (2008)

Shinsai Rettō

2004 Disaster novel

A disaster novel about the Tokai earthquake, recognized by the Geological Society and nominated for the Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award.

earthquakesdisaster preparednesssocial vulnerability
Adaptations
  • [Manga serialization] Shinsai Rettō (manga serialization) / 週刊現代（連載） (2005)

Hiru wa Kumo no Hashira (Fuji Awakening)

2006 Disaster novel

A novel about an eruption of Mt. Fuji; retitled 'Fuji Awakening' for paperback release.

volcanoeshuman dramanatural disaster
Adaptations
  • [Manga] SECTOR COLLAPSE -Mount Fuji Collapse- / 作画: 光原伸／監修: 小山真人 (2008)

Chūshin-gura in the Trees

2007 Historical novel (alternate account)

An alternate account related to the Chūshingura story; retitled for paperback release.

historyloyaltyrevenge

Bibliography

  • Kirishima
  • Shito Nippon
  • Shinsai Rettō
  • Hiru wa Kumo no Hashira
  • Chūshin-gura in the Trees

Adaptations

  • 'Shito Nippon' → manga 'Kagutsuchi' (2008, supervised by Akira Ishiguro)
  • 'Hiru wa Kumo no Hashira' → manga 'SECTOR COLLAPSE -Mount Fuji Collapse-' (2008, art: Nobu Mitsuhara, supervision: Masato Koyama)
  • 'Shinsai Rettō' manga version (2005, serialized in 'Weekly Gendai', not collected into a volume)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realistic style emphasizing scientific and technical detailBlends human drama with domain-specific knowledge
Recurring Motifs
volcanoesearthquakesdisaster and recoverynature's threats vs human society

Legacy

Known for disaster fiction grounded in geological accuracy; recognized by academic bodies and adapted into media such as manga, contributing to public disaster-awareness.

Academic Societies

  • The Geological Society of Japan
  • Seismological Society of Japan

In Popular Culture

  • Broader public recognition through manga adaptations

Trivia

  • He lists 'dreamer' on his business card
  • Fascinated by volcanoes since childhood
  • Pen name is derived from 'Kokuyōseki' (Obsidian)
  • 'Shinsai Rettō' deals with the Tokai earthquake