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Ushio Kazeno

かぜの うしお

Kazeno Ushio

Pen Names:

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1962-06-23 （Izumi, Osaka Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Izumi, Osaka (birthplace) → Minoh (Minoo), Osaka (residence)

Career

Occupations
children's literature writer, novelist, author
Active Years
1997-
Affiliations
Japan Association of Children's Literature Writers, Japan Writers' Association
Memberships
Japan Association of Children's Literature Writers, Japan Writers' Association

Education

Osaka Prefectural Otori High School
Country: Japan
Momoyama Gakuin University
Faculty of Sociology
Country: Japan
Member of the wind ensemble (brass band) in university

Awards

Kodansha Award for New Writers in Children's Literature (38th)
1997
Work: Beat Kids
Organization: Kodansha
Result: 受賞
Noma Children's Literature Newcomer Award (36th)
1998
Work: Beat Kids
Organization: Noma Publications / Noma Cultural Foundation
Result: 受賞
Mukuhatoju Children's Literature Award (9th)
1998
Work: Beat Kids
Organization: Mukuhatoju Award Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Beat Kids

1998 children's literature / coming-of-age

Set in a junior high school wind ensemble, the story portrays friendship, growth, and passion for music, focusing on youths' struggles and reconciliation.

musicfriendshipcoming of ageclub activities
Adaptations
  • [film] Beat Kids / 塩屋俊 (2005)
  • [comic] Beat Kids (comic) (2006)

Crystal Edge

2009 children's literature / sports (figure skating)

A series centered on figure skating, portraying girls' growth and friendships through practice and competitions.

sportseffortfriendshipgirl protagonists

Tatsumaki Shoujo (Tornado Girl)

2012 children's literature / sports (baseball)

A series about girls' baseball, depicting the struggles and growth of a pitcher-in-the-making and her team.

sportsteamworkgrowth

Don't Forget the Full Moon!

2003 children's literature / with fantasy elements

A series mixing youths' emotional ups and downs with mysterious incidents.

friendshipcoming of agemystery

Bibliography

  • Beat Kids (1998)
  • Beat Kids 2 (1999)
  • Itoshi no Dolly (2003)
  • Don't Forget the Full Moon! (2003)
  • Welcome to the Forest (2004)
  • Kickoff Once More (2004)
  • Aqueltalha 1: The Boy of the Forest (2004)
  • The Magic Sword of Area 1 (2008)
  • Crystal Edge (2009)
  • Tomorrow Will Be Sunny or Cloudy (2010)
  • Tornado Girl 1: The Stormy Pitcher Has Arrived! (2012)
  • Rontogen / Röntgen (2013)
  • The Singing Tree Star (2015)

Adaptations

  • Beat Kids (film adaptation, 2005)
  • Beat Kids (comic adaptation, 2006)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
clear, readable prosedetailed portrayals of youth and club activitiesstrong focus on music and sports as subjects
Recurring Motifs
music (wind ensemble)female athletes / girl protagonistsclub/team growtheffort and friendship

Legacy

Known in children's literature for works themed around music and sports, she is popular with young readers. She won multiple newcomer awards and has had works adapted into film.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Association of Children's Literature Writers
  • Japan Writers' Association

Archives

  • Official website (archive)
  • National Diet Library catalogue

In Popular Culture

  • The 2005 film adaptation of 'Beat Kids' increased recognition among younger audiences

Trivia

  • She researched a junior high wind ensemble when writing 'Beat Kids'.
  • 'Beat Kids' was adapted into a film in 2005 directed by Shioya Shun.
  • The 'Crystal Edge' series is said to include characters modeled after real figure skaters (she interviewed Yuzuru Hanyu in his junior years).