Japanese Literary Awards

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Hirochika Ishikawa

いしかわ ひろちか

Ishikawa Hirochika

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1969-01-01
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
children's literature author, writer
Active Years
2007-

Education

Joshibi University of Art and Design
Faculty of Art
Country: Japan
Studied at an art university; after working in art production for television, began literary activities.

Awards

Kodansha Children's Literature Newcomer Award (Honorable Mention)
2007
Work: Yuriel and Glen
Organization: Kodansha
Result: 佳作
Japan Children's Literature Association Newcomer Award
2010
Work: Yuriel and Glen
Organization: Japan Children's Literature Association
Result: 受賞
Japan Children's Literature Association Award
2021
Work: Dear Mr./Ms. Punks Not Dead
Organization: Japan Children's Literature Association
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Yuriel and Glen

2008 children's fantasy

A fantastical story about brothers. Published as a series that explores themes of light and darkness.

brotherhoodlight and darknesscoming of age

UFO Hasn't Come Yet

2011 children's literature

A children's work depicting small wonders within everyday life, written in a short-story style.

everyday wondercuriosity

The Mask Shop Tamayoshi

2012 children's fantasy

A series about a mysterious mask shop and the people connected to it.

yokaifolklorethe ordinary and the extraordinary

Leo the Gravekeeper

2016 children's literature

A story about a boy apprenticed as a gravekeeper. Characterized by a gentle perspective on death.

death and rebirthgrowthkindness

Dear Punks Not Dead

2020 children's / young adult

A novel that carefully depicts the emotions and rebellious spirit of young people. Winner of the Japan Children's Literature Association Award.

youthrebellionself-expression

Bibliography

  • Yuriel and Glen (1) The Brothers Bitten by Darkness
  • Yuriel and Glen (2) The People of the Warbeck Family
  • Yuriel and Glen (3) The Whereabouts of Light and Darkness
  • UFO Hasn't Come Yet
  • Extremely Unlucky Girl 1: That's Just Too Unlucky!
  • Extremely Unlucky Girl 2: Where Is This? Who Am I?
  • Extremely Unlucky Girl 3: Fate... Is It Fate?!
  • The Mask Shop Tamayoshi
  • The Mask Shop Tamayoshi: Higan Festival
  • The Mask Shop Tamayoshi: Unsettling Festival
  • The Mask Shop Tamayoshi: Sevenfold Festival
  • The Mask Shop Tamayoshi: Wandering Festival
  • Kurone of Tenku Town: The Inquisitive Grim Reaper Apprentice
  • Secret Talk
  • Started a Yokai Younger Brother
  • Grim Reaper Udon Cafe No.1
  • Grim Reaper Udon Cafe No.1 Extra Edition
  • A World Without Boy N
  • Boy N's Very Long Journey
  • Ninomaru-kun Investigates
  • Leo the Gravekeeper
  • When I Was a Girl-Type Robot
  • The Flying Whale Club
  • Empire of Youth
  • Dear Punks Not Dead
  • Made in Fourteen
  • Appearance Rental Shop: The Disguise
  • The Infirmary Needs a Witch
  • Bakeno Island: First Love Search (Series)
  • G65
  • The Clockwork Labyrinth
  • Young Timers' Counseling Room
  • Stories of Japanese Culture: Noh & Kyogen — Detective Noh and the Mystery Museum

Style & Themes

Literary Style
light, child-oriented narration with elements of fantasydelicate scene descriptions with touches of humor
Recurring Motifs
death and lifeyokai and folkloregrowth and friendshipboundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary

Legacy

Has published a wide range of works in children's literature, acclaimed for combining fantasy and humor. With multiple newcomer awards and the Japan Children's Literature Association Award, she has established a respected position in the field.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Children's Literature Association

Trivia

  • Born in 1969.
  • Graduated from Joshibi University of Art and Design, Faculty of Art.
  • Active on X/Twitter with account @hirochica_no.