Japanese Literary Awards

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Shoji Kojima

こじま しょうじ

Kojima Shoji

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1939-10-01 （Mugi, Kaifu District, Tokushima, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Mugi, Tokushima, Japan → Madrid, Spain (training period)

Career

Occupations
Flamenco dancer, Choreographer, Performer
Active Years
1960-
Affiliations
Japan Flamenco Association (Chair), Shoji Kojima Flamenco Company
Memberships
Japan Flamenco Association
Influenced By
Spanish flamenco tradition, Federico García Lorca (poetry/literature)
Influenced
Generation that popularized flamenco in Japan

Education

Musashino Academia Musicae
Vocal Music / Vocal
Country: Japan
Graduated (degree details not specified)

Awards

Dance Critics Association Award
1986
Work: The Flame of Wrath
Organization: Dance Critics Association
Result: 受賞
Arts Festival Award
1986
Work: The Flame of Wrath
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs, Arts Festival
Result: 受賞
Spanish Dance Award
1991
Organization: Kawakami Suzuko Spanish Dance Award (awarding body unspecified)
Result: 受賞
Tokushima Prefecture Cultural Prize
1999
Organization: Tokushima Prefecture
Result: 受賞
Dance Critics Association Award
1999
Work: Homage to García Lorca
Organization: Dance Critics Association
Result: 受賞
Dance Art Award (1999)
1999
Work: Homage to García Lorca
Organization: Dance arts organizations
Result: 受賞
Art Encouragement Prize by Minister of Education (Dance)
2000
Work: LUNA: In Search of the Soul of Flamenco
Category: 舞踊部門
Organization: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Result: 受賞
Order of Isabella the Catholic (Official Cross)
2000
Organization: Spanish Monarchy
Result: 受章
Dance Critics Association Award
2002
Work: Atlantida Fantasy
Organization: Dance Critics Association
Result: 受賞
Purple Ribbon Medal
2003
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Andalusian Government Commendation
2005
Organization: Government of Andalusia
Result: 顕彰
Dance Critics Association Award
2008
Work: Song of the Birds / FEDERICO / Poets under War (Love & Peace Trilogy)
Organization: Dance Critics Association
Result: 受賞
Order of Civil Merit (Encomienda)
2009
Organization: Spanish Monarchy
Result: 受章
Person of Cultural Merit
2009
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 選出
Mugi Town Citizen Honor Award
2009
Organization: Mugi Town
Result: 受賞
Nimura Dance Prize
2012
Organization: Nimura Dance Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon (approx.)
2018
Organization: Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
Result: 受章

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Flame of Wrath

1986 Dance (Flamenco)

A dance piece exploring the intensity of emotion, blending dramatic expression with Spanish flamenco technique.

PassionTheatricalitySpanish culture

Homage to García Lorca

1999 Dance (Flamenco)

A dance work dedicated to Spanish poet García Lorca, incorporating literary allegory and symbolic expression.

TributeFusion of literature and danceSymbolism

LUNA: In Search of the Soul of Flamenco

2000 Dance documentary / Stage work

A stage work exploring the spirit and origins of flamenco, demonstrating the deep ties between music and dance.

ExplorationTradition and heritageSoul

Love & Peace Trilogy (Song of the Birds / FEDERICO / Poets under War)

2008 Dance (Flamenco)

A trilogy themed on love and peace, noted for incorporating social and historical perspectives.

PeaceLoveHistorical memory

Bibliography

  • Shoji Kojima (ed.), Invitation to Flamenco, Shinshokan, 2002

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Lyricism rooted in physical expressionDramatic, narrative stagingRespectful fusion of Spanish traditional technique
Recurring Motifs
Love and peaceHomage to Spanish literatureReligious and ritual imagery

Legacy

Considered a pioneer of flamenco in Japan who contributed to cultural exchange through international activity and numerous honors; highly regarded by dance critics and official institutions.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Flamenco Association

Archives

  • Materials held by the National Diet Library of Japan

Trivia

  • Trained in Madrid, Spain beginning in 1966 and returned to Japan after roughly a decade of study.
  • Selected as a Person of Cultural Merit in 2009 and received Spain's Order of Civil Merit (Encomienda) the same year.
  • Editor of Invitation to Flamenco (2002).