Nihon Essayist Club Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 44 (1996) award
Keiko Yanagisawa
やなぎさわ けいこ
Yanagisawa Keiko
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1938-01-12 （Tokyo, Japan）
- Nationality
- Japan
- Languages
- Japanese
- Residence History
- Japan
Career
- Occupations
- Life scientist, Science writer, Journalist, Essayist, Tanka poet
- Active Years
- 1960-
- Affiliations
- Keio University, Mitsubishi Chemical Life Science Research Institute, Ochanomizu University (Honorary Doctorate)
- Influenced By
- Luther Burbank
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ochanomizu University | Faculty of Science | Department of Botany | B.Sc. | 1956-1960 | Japan |
| Columbia University | Department of Zoology | Zoology | Ph.D. | 1960-1963 | United States |
| Tohoku University | — | — | Ph.D. | 1975 | Japan |
Ochanomizu University
Faculty of Science
/ Department of Botany
Degree:
B.Sc.
Period:
1956-1960
Year of Graduation:
1960
Country:
Japan
Columbia University
Department of Zoology
/ Zoology
Degree:
Ph.D.
Period:
1960-1963
Year of Graduation:
1963
Country:
United States
Ph.D. with research on Escherichia coli
Tohoku University
Degree:
Ph.D.
Period:
1975
Year of Graduation:
1975
Country:
Japan
Doctor of Science (thesis) based on published work
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Kodansha Publishing Culture Award (Science Publishing Prize) | From Egg to Me (approx.) | — | Kodansha | 受賞 |
| 1994 | Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award | The Story of Life Told by Mother (4 vols.) | — | Sankei Shimbun | 受賞 |
| 1996 | Japan Essayist Club Award | My Double Helix | — | Japan Essayist Club | 受賞 |
| 1999 | Society of Japanese Women Scientists Merit Award | — | — | Society of Japanese Women Scientists | 受賞 |
| 2007 | Bungeishunju Readers' Award (joint) | Heart Sutra — Dialogue on Life | — | Bungeishunju | 受賞（共同） |
Kodansha Publishing Culture Award (Science Publishing Prize)
1994
Work:
From Egg to Me (approx.)
Organization:
Kodansha
Result:
受賞
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award
1994
Work:
The Story of Life Told by Mother (4 vols.)
Organization:
Sankei Shimbun
Result:
受賞
Japan Essayist Club Award
1996
Work:
My Double Helix
Organization:
Japan Essayist Club
Result:
受賞
Society of Japanese Women Scientists Merit Award
1999
Organization:
Society of Japanese Women Scientists
Result:
受賞
Bungeishunju Readers' Award (joint)
2007
Work:
Heart Sutra — Dialogue on Life
Organization:
Bungeishunju
Result:
受賞（共同）
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
From Egg to Me: The Story of Development
1993 Popular scienceAn accessible account of embryology and development that explains the beginnings of life for general readers.
developmentorigins of lifegenetics
Wisdom for Living and Dying
2004 EssayEssays reflecting on illness and views on life; a bestseller after publication.
illnesslife and deathspirituality
My Double Helix: Growing into a Life Scientist
1995 Autobiographical essayAn autobiographical essay recounting her life and formation as a life scientist.
memoirhistory of sciencewomen's careers
Bibliography
- From Egg to Me: The Story of Development (1993)
- Wisdom for Living and Dying (2004)
- My Double Helix (1995)
- The Story of Life Told by Mother (4 vols., 1993)
Adaptations
- NHK Documentary "Inochi Futatabi" (Life Again)
Translations by Author
- Co-translator of J.M. Barry, "Molecular Biology: Genes and Their Mechanisms" (1965)
- Co-translator of Gunther Stent, "Bacteriophages: Their Molecular Biology" (1972)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Clear, accessible proseBlending scientific explanation with personal experience
- Recurring Motifs
- lifedeath and renewalthe body's voicecycles and rhythms
Health
-
Autonomic dysfunction (neurasthenia-like)1969頃から長期にわたるPeriodic attacks recurred for decades, disrupting research career and daily life.
-
Endometriosis (leading to hysterectomy)1970年代頃Surgery reportedly precipitated subsequent health problems.
-
Chronic pancreatitis1970年代以降Required prolonged treatment with limited prospects for full recovery.
-
Cyclic vomiting syndrome1999に診断Symptoms were alleviated after SSRI treatment.
-
Intracranial hypotension (CSF leakage)診断時期不明（2000年前後に診断）Diagnosis led to further symptomatic improvement.
-
Depression病状の悪化時期に発症Experienced severe psychological distress, including suicidal ideation at worst.
Legacy
Combining expertise as a life scientist with decades-long illness, she influenced public understanding of medicine, life sciences and ethics through widely read popular science books and essays. She is regarded as a public intellectual with significant social impact.
Academic Societies
- Society of Japanese Women Scientists
In Popular Culture
- Became widely known through NHK documentaries and various TV and radio appearances.
Trivia
- "Wisdom for Living and Dying" reportedly sold over 800,000 copies.
- A rare example of a researcher who successfully transitioned to a popular science writer and essayist.