Japanese Literary Awards

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Naoko Kudo

くどう なおこ

Kudo Naoko

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1935-11-02 （Puzih (now Puzi City, Chiayi County, Taiwan)）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
poet, children's writer, translator
Active Years
1970-

Education

Ochanomizu University
Faculty of Literature and Education / Department of Chinese Literature
Country: Japan

Awards

Japan Association of Children's Literature Newcomer Award
1983
Work: The Philosophical Lion
Organization: Japan Association of Children's Literature
Result: winner
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award
1985
Work: Friends Smell of the Sea
Organization: Sankei Shimbun (sponsor)
Result: winner
Newcomer Award of the Japan Art Academy (Arts Encouragement Prize)
1990
Work: Friends Smell of Green
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs / Arts Encouragement
Result: winner
Iwatani Nobuhiko Literary Award
2004
Organization: Iwatani Literary Award Committee
Result: winner
Noma Children's Literature Award
2008
Work: Nohara Uta V (The Field Songs V)
Organization: Noma Children's Literature Award Committee
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Philosophical Lion

1982 children's literature / poetry

A children's poetry collection that poses gentle philosophical questions in simple language.

friendshipnaturequestions of existence

Friends Smell of the Sea

1984 children's literature

A children's book depicting friendship and growth through depictions of the sea and nature.

the seafriendshipgrowing up

Nohara Uta (series)

1984 poetry / children's stories

A series of poems and children's stories about everyday life and familiar nature; includes pieces adopted into school textbooks.

natureeveryday lifeanimals

Come, Cabbage White Butterfly

1987 children's literature

A gentle picture book centered on a butterfly; published in multiple illustrated editions.

insectsnature observationgentleness

Bibliography

  • Did Dear Papa Elephant Fly?
  • Jungle - The Story of a Beautiful Leopard
  • The Philosophical Lion
  • Hanako the Piglet's Bento
  • Nohara Uta Volumes 1-5
  • Friends Smell of the Sea
  • I Like It Whole
  • Come, Cabbage White Butterfly
  • I Want to See You
  • Ah, It's Totoro's Forest!

Translations by Author

  • Translated 'The Moonlit Owl' (Jane Yolen)
  • Translated 'Pat the Yeti / Pat the Something' (Eric Carle) — Japanese edition

Style & Themes

Literary Style
lyrical style written in gentle, plain languagerhythmic, child-friendly narration
Recurring Motifs
nature (sea, forest, insects)animalsfriendship and everyday moments

Legacy

Naoko Kudo has been an influential figure in postwar and contemporary Japanese children's literature and poetry; several works have been adopted into school curricula, contributing to children's literary education.

Trivia

  • Her son is the manga artist Taiyo Matsumoto.
  • She became the first female copywriter at Hakuhodo.