Japanese Literary Awards

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Izawa Yumiko

いざわ ゆみこ

Izawa Yumiko

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1947-10-23 （Chiba Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
children's writer, author
Active Years
1979-

Education

Dokkyo University
Faculty of Foreign Languages
Country: Japan
Completed the 3rd cohort of the Children's Literature School of the Japanese Association of Children's Literature Authors

Awards

Japanese Association of Children's Literature Authors Newcomer Award
1980
Work: I Hear Hiroshi's Song
Organization: Japanese Association of Children's Literature Authors
Result: Winner
Noma Children's Literature Recommended Works Prize
1982
Work: Thank You for the Withered-Grass-Colored Wind
Organization: Noma Children's Literature Award (associated)
Result: Winner
Shogakukan Literary Prize (Children's Literature Division)
1982
Work: Thank You for the Withered-Grass-Colored Wind
Organization: Shogakukan
Result: Winner
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award
1982
Work: Thank You for the Withered-Grass-Colored Wind
Organization: Sankei Shimbun
Result: Winner
Niimi Nankichi Children's Literature Award
1986
Work: Let's Play Again Tomorrow
Organization: Niimi Nankichi Children's Literature Award Committee
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

I Hear Hiroshi's Song

1979 Children's literature

A linked set of short stories focusing on a young protagonist and family life, depicting small everyday events and gentle growth. Noted for its seasonal imagery and child-centered perspective.

familygrowing upseasons

Thank You for the Withered-Grass-Colored Wind

1981 Children's literature

A warm story attuned to nature and everyday life. It gently handles loss and parting while valuing a child's sensitivity.

naturelossgentleness

Let's Play Again Tomorrow

1985 Picture/early childhood story

A gentle picture/early childhood story depicting discoveries and interactions through play. Captures the joys of a child's everyday life.

playfriendshipdiscovery

Camp! It's Fun

1986 Children's non-fiction/story

A children's book centered on camping. Describes outdoor experiences and cooperation among peers, encouraging interest in activities.

outdoor experiencecooperationadventure

Running Through the Wind

1990 Children's literature

A work symbolically depicting a child's energy and freedom. Notable for portrayals of growth through bodily sensation.

freedomphysicalitygrowth

Something Wonderful Happened

1992 Children's creative tale

A short-story collection about small joys and human connections. Characterized by an accessible and warm narrative voice.

joyconnectioneveryday life

This Autumn

1997 Children's literature / short stories

A short story collection gathering emotions and events across autumn. Noted for its sense of season and delicate psychological depictions.

seasonsemotionrecollection

Yori-chan's Difficult Question

2001 Children's literature

A story confronting a child's curiosity and questions. Encourages thinking through situations with no single answer.

curiosityquestionsthinking

The June Relay

2009 Children's literature

A story that parallels school and friendships with a relay race. Themes include cooperation and growth.

friendshipcooperationschool life

Bibliography

  • I Hear Hiroshi's Song (Kodansha, 1979)
  • Thank You for the Withered-Grass-Colored Wind (Kodansha, 1981)
  • Let's Play Again Tomorrow (Kaiseisha, 1985)
  • Camp! It's Fun (Soeisha, 1986)
  • Running Through the Wind (Kodansha, 1990)
  • Something Wonderful Happened (Kyoiku Gageki, 1992)
  • This Autumn (Kodansha, 1997)
  • Yori-chan's Difficult Question (Kyoiku Gageki, 2001)
  • The June Relay (Kaiseisha, 2009)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
gentle narrative voicechild-centered perspectivelyrical style emphasizing seasonal atmosphere
Recurring Motifs
changing seasonsnatureeveryday small eventschildhood growth

Legacy

Known in Japanese children's literature for works that value a child's perspective and seasonal sensibility. Winner of multiple children's literature awards and recognized in school and children's book circles.

Academic Societies

  • Japanese Association of Children's Literature Authors

Trivia

  • Not the same person as Yumiko Izawa, a cooking researcher.
  • Authority identifiers (ISNI, VIAF, WorldCat, National Diet Library, etc.) exist for the author and can be checked in external databases.