Japanese Literary Awards

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Takao Iwamoto

いわもと たかお

Iwamoto Takao

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1959-04-06
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Osaka Prefecture

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Science fiction writer, Light novel author
Active Years
1990-
Nominations
1st Japan Fantasy Novel Award — Finalist ("Hoshimushi")

Awards

Japan Fantasy Novel Award
1990
Work: Hoshimushi (Star Insect)
Organization: Japan Fantasy Novel Award Committee
Result: 最終候補

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Hoshimushi (Star Insect)

1990 Science fiction / Fantasy

Debut work combining science fiction elements with fantastical imagery.

starsalienationotherworlds
Adaptations
  • [Radio drama] Hoshimushi (NHK-FM 'Seishun Adventure')

Isha's Boat

1991 Science fiction

One of his early long works, depicting a fantastical worldview.

journeymemoryfantasy
Adaptations
  • [Radio drama] Isha's Boat (NHK-FM 'Seishun Adventure')

Nuehime Shinwa

2000 Fantasy

A fantastical story drawing on yokai and folktale motifs.

yokaifolkloretransformation

Nuehime Ibun

2000 Fantasy

A work related to 'Nuehime Shinwa'; editions include newly written material.

yokaihistoryreinterpretation

Midori no Tsuki (3 vols.)

2001 Science fiction / Fantasy

A three-volume series blending fantastical elements with SF ideas.

mooncoming-of-ageworldbuilding

Summer Vacation Is the Galaxy!

2008 Science fiction

Published after his return to writing; contains youthful and adventurous motifs.

summeradventurespace

Chronicles of Hoshimushi Vol.1 (Hoshimushi / Isha's Boat / Valentine Days)

2009 Science fiction / Short story collection

A reissue collection combining previously published works with newly written short pieces.

reissueadditional piecesseries compilation

Chronicles of Hoshimushi Vol.2 (Nuehime Shinwa / Nuehime Jyosho / Nuehime Ibun)

2009 Fantasy / Reissue

A definitive edition focusing on the 'Nuehime' series with additional new material.

Nuehimesupplementationcollected edition

Bibliography

  • Hoshimushi (Star Insect)
  • Isha's Boat
  • Nuehime Shinwa
  • Nuehime Ibun
  • Midori no Tsuki (3 vols.)
  • Summer Vacation Is the Galaxy!
  • Chronicles of Hoshimushi Vol.1
  • Chronicles of Hoshimushi Vol.2

Adaptations

  • Radio drama adaptations of 'Hoshimushi' and 'Isha's Boat' broadcast on NHK-FM 'Seishun Adventure'

Style & Themes

Literary Style
A style blending science-fiction imagination with fantastical imageryAccessible tone that can appeal to younger readers
Recurring Motifs
starsyokai (nue)otherworldly elements

Legacy

A SF/fantasy writer who debuted in the 1990s, experienced periods of hiatus and reissue-led revival in the 2000s. Works have been adapted for radio and gained renewed attention after reprints.

Archives

  • National Diet Library bibliographic records
  • VIAF authority record

Trivia

  • Finalist in the 1st Japan Fantasy Novel Award (1990) with his debut 'Hoshimushi'.
  • Resumed writing activity after the 2000 reissue of 'Hoshimushi'.
  • Returned from a second hiatus in 2008 with the novel 'Summer Vacation Is the Galaxy!'.