Japanese Literary Awards

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Mitsuyo Kakuta

かくた みつよ

Kakuta Mitsuyo

Pen Names: Saikawa Anzu（Pen name used for junior novels during university (won the Cobalt Novel Award under this name).）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1967-03-08 （Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan → Nishi-Ogikubo, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Career

Occupations
novelist, children's author, translator
Active Years
1988-
Memberships
Naoki Prize selection committee member (from 162nd, 2020 - present), Kawabata Yasunari Prize selection committee member (from 40th, 2014 - present), Yamamoto Shugoro Prize selection committee member (from 25th, 2012 - present)
Influenced By
Ken Kaikō
Nominations
Nominee, 108th Akutagawa Prize (Yūbe no Kamisama), Nominee, 109th Akutagawa Prize (Pink Bus), Nominee, 110th Akutagawa Prize (Another Door), Nominee, Mishima Yukio Prize (multiple works)

Education

Waseda University, Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences I
Faculty of Letters I — Literary Studies / Literary Studies
Degree: 学士
Country: Japan
Member of student theatre troupe 'Teatro 50' during university; debuted under the pen name Saikawa Anzu by winning the Cobalt Novel Award.

Awards

Cobalt Novel Award
1988
Work: Oko-sama Lunch: Rock Sauce
Organization: Shueisha (Cobalt Bunko)
Result: 受賞
Kaien New Writers' Literary Prize
1990
Work: A Happy Game
Organization: Kaien editorial board
Result: 受賞
Noma Literary Newcomer Award
1996
Work: The Drowsing Night's UFO
Organization: Noma Cultural Foundation
Result: 受賞
Tsubota Jōji Literary Award
1998
Work: I'm Your Big Brother
Organization: Tsubota Jōji Literary Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award (Fuji TV Prize)
1999
Work: Kidnap Tour
Organization: Sankei Shimbun / Fuji Television
Result: 受賞
Rohbo no Ishi Literary Prize
2000
Work: Kidnap Tour
Organization: Rohbo no Ishi Literary Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Fujin Koron Literary Award
2003
Work: Floating Garden
Organization: Fujin Koron
Result: 受賞
Naoki Prize
2005
Work: Woman on the Other Shore
Organization: Naoki Prize Selection Committee
Result: 受賞
Kawabata Yasunari Literary Prize
2006
Work: Rock Mother
Organization: Kawabata Yasunari Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Chuo Koron Literary Prize
2007
Work: The Eighth Day
Organization: Chuo Koron Shinsha
Result: 受賞
Ito Sei Literary Award
2011
Work: Treehouse
Organization: Ito Sei Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Shibata Renzaburo Prize
2012
Work: Paper Moon
Organization: Shibata Renzaburo Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Izumi Kyoka Literary Prize
2012
Work: Child from Afar
Organization: Izumi Kyoka Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Kawai Hayao Story/Scholarly Prize
2014
Work: The Woman Within Me
Organization: Kawai Hayao Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Yomiuri Literary Prize (Research/Translation)
2021
Work: Translation of The Tale of Genji (modern-language translation)
Category: 研究・翻訳賞
Organization: Yomiuri Shimbun
Result: 受賞
Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Award
2025
Work: Burning the Ark
Organization: Yoshikawa Eiji Award Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Kidnap Tour

1998 Children's literature

A juvenile novel depicting children's adventures and friendships; recognized as a notable book for young readers.

coming-of-agefriendshipfamily
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Kidnap Tour (2016)
Translations
  • Information on translations (e.g. English) exists (details unknown)

Woman on the Other Shore

2004 Novel

A novel told from multiple women's perspectives exploring loss and renewal in contemporary society; a Naoki Prize-winning work.

memorylossrenewal
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Woman on the Other Shore (2006)
Translations
  • English edition 'Woman on the Other Shore' (2007) — translator: Ramarz Wayne

The Eighth Day

2007 Novel

A novel about an abducted child and the woman who abducts her, thematically centered on motherhood and atonement; widely adapted for film and television.

motherhoodatonementfamily
Adaptations
  • [Film] The Eighth Day / 成島出 (2011)
  • [TV drama] The Eighth Day (TV drama) (2010)
Translations
  • Translations into English and other languages available (details unknown)

Paper Moon

2012 Novel

A novel that examines desire, loneliness, and social relations through an embezzlement scandal involving an ordinary woman; adapted for film and television.

desirelonelinesssociety
Adaptations
  • [Film] Paper Moon / 吉田大八 (2014)
  • [TV drama] Paper Moon (TV drama) (2014)
  • [TV drama] Paper Moon (international remake) (2023)
Translations
  • Information on English translation exists (details unknown)

Burning the Ark

2024 Novel

A 2024 novel that questions family and social structures; recipient of the Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Award.

familysocial critique

Bibliography

  • Numerous novels, short stories, and essays (notable works include 'Woman on the Other Shore', 'The Eighth Day', 'Paper Moon').
  • Many junior novels published under the pen name Saikawa Anzu.

Adaptations

  • Many works adapted for film and television (e.g. The Eighth Day, Paper Moon, Floating Garden, Presents, Kidnap Tour, etc.).

Translations by Author

  • The Tale of Genji (modern-language translation, 2017-2020, Kawade Shobo Shinsha)

Translations of Works

  • 'Woman on the Other Shore' — English translation of Taigan no Kanojo (2007), among others

Style & Themes

Literary Style
realistic, life-sized character portrayaldelicate psychological descriptionaccessible, easy-to-read prose
Recurring Motifs
motherhoodmemory and lossfractures in everyday lifemeals and cooking as motifs

Health

  • Childhood developmental difficulties (bedwetting, early speech difficulties)
    幼稚園時代 / kindergarten years
    She has said that feelings of isolation in childhood contributed to a deep attachment to books.

Legacy

Mitsuyo Kakuta is a prominent contemporary Japanese writer, acclaimed for her sensitive portrayals of family and women's psychology. She has won many literary prizes and seen numerous adaptations of her work for film and television, influencing a broad audience.

Academic Societies

  • Japan PEN Club (associated)

In Popular Culture

  • Known as a favorite author of Keisuke Kuwata (Southern All Stars); invited to his 2012 tour and has had personal exchanges.
  • Adaptations of major works for film and TV broadened her recognition among general audiences (e.g. The Eighth Day, Paper Moon).

Quotes

  • I want to forget already, but I can't; I hold resentment.
    Source: Interview (Agawa Sawako et al.) (2014)
  • I decided to become a writer in the first grade of elementary school.
    Source: Various interviews and conversations (2009)

Trivia

  • She has been an enthusiastic fan of Southern All Stars since age 15 and developed a personal exchange with Keisuke Kuwata.
  • Debuted as a junior-novel writer under the pen name Saikawa Anzu after winning the Cobalt Novel Award during university.
  • Has practiced boxing since student days and reportedly trained at Koichi Wajima's gym (reported in 2013).
  • In her personal life, she married Takami Ito in 2006 (later divorced) and remarried Takehiro Kawano (Jō Kōno) in 2009.