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Nao Iwasa

いわさ なを

Iwasa Nao

Pen Names: Nao Iwasa（Pen name (real name: Naoto Iwasa)）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1954-06-18 （Ogikubo, Suginami, Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
poet, artist, librarian
Active Years
1978-
Affiliations
Japan Ex Libris Association, Japan Modern Poets Association, Japan Writers' Association, Japan PEN Club
Memberships
Japan Ex Libris Association, Japan Modern Poets Association, Japan Writers' Association, Japan PEN Club

Education

Kanagawa Prefectural Kohoku High School
Country: Japan
Waseda University
Country: Japan
Graduated from Waseda University; worked as a librarian while producing creative work

Awards

H-shi Prize
1995
Work: Reigan
Result: 受賞
Tomita Saika Prize
2013
Work: Umimachi
Result: 受賞
Fujimura Memorial Rekitei Prize
2016
Work: (lifetime work in printmaking and poetry)
Result: 受賞
6th Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Print Miniature Competition Grand Prix
1984
Organization: Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Print Miniature Competition Committee
Result: 受賞
Czechoslovakia Ex Libris Competition President's Special Prize
1991
Result: 受賞
1st Miniature Print Contest — Bunbodo Prize
2022
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Nohhitsu Shoujo

1978 poetry collection

An early, privately published collection showcasing the author's initial poetic voice.

youthdreams

Semima

1980 poetry collection

Poetry collection published in 1980, noted for its symbolic and detailed imagery.

naturetransformation

Kono Tanuki Zoushi

1987 poetry collection (later source for musical adaptation)

A poetry collection that incorporates folkloric motifs; later served as source material for a musical work.

folkloreanimals
Adaptations
  • [music (CD)] Tsumemonogatari (2008)

Reigan

1994 poetry collection

A poetry collection known for winning the H-shi Prize in 1995.

memoryurbanity

Umimachi

2013 poetry collection

A 2013 poetry collection that won the Tomita Saika Prize.

seanostalgia

Bibliography

  • Nohhitsu Shoujo (privately published, 1978)
  • Semima (Shiyosha, 1980)
  • Ane no Chikara (Kata Kobo, 1981)
  • Yume no Wa (Shichigatsudo, 1983)
  • Kono Tanuki Zoushi (Shichigatsudo, 1987)
  • Rikyuu no Kurage (Shoshi Yamada, 1990)
  • Reigan (Shichosha, 1994)
  • Mushi no Maki (Shichosha, 1997)
  • Shinogi (Shichosha, 2000)
  • Kagami no Ba (Shichosha, 2003)
  • Nao Iwasa Collected Poems (Gendai Shi Bunko 178, Shichosha, 2005)
  • Shima Shima no (Shichosha, 2007)
  • Gentou (Shoshi Yamada, 2008)
  • Umimachi (Shichosha, 2013)
  • Pan to, (Shichosha, 2015)
  • Yumemiru Tebikae (Shichosha, 2020)
  • Tanpopo (Shichosha, 2023)
  • Fables from the Water Zone: Detailed Art Collection (Okisakisha, 1980)
  • Day and Night in a Small Space: Etching Ex Libris Collection (Iwasaki Bijutsusha, 1992)
  • Nao Iwasa Etched Ex Libris Collection: The Poetics of Ex Libris (Bijutsu Shuppansha, 2006)

Adaptations

  • Tsumemonogatari (Kyoon Yugi, CD adaptation, 2008)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
symboliclyricalmeticulous imagery
Recurring Motifs
seadreamsanimals (fox, raccoon dog)ex-libris (bookplates)

Legacy

Recognized as a poet and etching artist who for decades published poetry collections and ex-libris prints, participating in domestic and international exhibitions and winning awards; noted for a practice that crosses poetry and printmaking.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Modern Poets Association
  • Japan Writers' Association

In Popular Culture

  • Participation in motorboat racing fandom and production of fanzines

Trivia

  • Real name is Naoto Iwasa.
  • After graduating from Waseda University he worked as a librarian while producing creative work.
  • Has produced numerous ex-libris (bookplates) in copperplate print.
  • Known as a fan of motorboat racing and professional boxing.