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Rei Ito

いとう れい

Itō Rei

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1933-02-14 （China）
Died
2023-09-22 （Kyorin University Hospital, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan） age 90
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese, English
Residence History
China (birthplace) → United States (study in Rhode Island) → Tokyo, Japan (residence and place of death)

Career

Occupations
English literature scholar, essayist, translator, university professor
Active Years
1955-2023
Affiliations
Nihon University College of Art (former professor)
Influenced By
Itō Sei (father)

Education

Hitotsubashi University
Faculty of Economics / Department of Economics
Period: 1950s
Country: Japan
Experienced health issues and a period of long-term convalescence while a student
University of Rhode Island
Political Science / Department of Political Science
Country: United States
Studied political science while in the United States

Awards

Kodansha Essay Award
1991
Work: Tanuki Beer
Organization: Kodansha
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Tanuki Beer

1991 Essay

A collection of witty and warm essays on everyday matters, including pieces about bicycling and urban life.

bicyclingurban lifefamily

Pachiri no Hito

2000 Essays

A collection of observational essays, including anecdotes related to photographs and memories.

memoryeveryday lifeobservation

Kogu-Kogu Bicycle

2005 Essay

Essays expressing the author's love of bicycles, focusing on urban scenery and everyday bicycle-related themes.

bicyclingtravelcity

Great Tokyo Bicycle Tours

2011 Essay

An essay collection about touring Tokyo by bicycle, blending geographic descriptions with personal reflections.

Tokyobicyclingwalking/touring

Bibliography

  • Itō Sei: A Life of Struggle (Kodansha) 1985
  • Itō Sei: Love Letters Exchange (Kodansha) 1987
  • Tanuki Beer (Kodansha) 1991
  • Machi ga Itsuzuki (Kodansha) 1994
  • Pachiri no Hito (Shinchosha) 2000
  • Kogu-Kogu Bicycle (Heibonsha) 2005
  • Bicycle Gikogiko (Heibonsha) 2009
  • Great Tokyo Bicycle Tours (Tokai Kyoiku Kenkyujo) 2011
  • Plow and Plow: Kugayama Farm Story (Tokai Kyoiku Kenkyujo) 2013
  • Dadadada Gardening: Bright Urban Agriculture (Chikuma Bunko) 2016

Translations by Author

  • The African Queen (C. S. Forester) 1967
  • The Sea of Dunkirk (Nicholas Monsarrat) 1968
  • King Solomon's Mines (H. Rider Haggard) 1970
  • The Needle's Eye (Margaret Drabble) 1988
  • Plain and Simple (Sue Bender) 1992
  • Lady Chatterley's Confessions (Hélène Feinstine) 1999

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Plain, witty essayistic proseTranslation style emphasizing fidelity to original meaning and nuance
Recurring Motifs
bicycles and travelurban landscapesfamily and memory

Health

  • Long-term convalescence (details unknown)
    1955-1958
    Became ill during university studies and underwent long-term convalescence, which affected his subsequent life and writing.

Legacy

Known for his work as an English literature scholar and translator, and for essays rich in humor and observation. Also noted for editorial work on his father Itō Sei's diaries.

Trivia

  • Not to be confused with AV actress Ito Rei (same reading of the name).
  • His father was writer Itō Sei and his brother Itō Shigeru.