Japanese Literary Awards

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Kundo Koyama

こやま くんどう

Koyama Kundo

Aliases: うどん熊奴
Pen Names: Udon Kumayakko（Pen name used in early TV programs (e.g. 'Iron Chef'). An anagram/inversion of 'Kundo Koyama'.）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1964-06-23 （Hondo, Amakusa (now Amakusa City), Kumamoto, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Kyoto, Japan (renovated kominka residence) → Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan (frequent residence) → Tokyo, Japan (professional base)

Career

Occupations
Broadcast writer, Screenwriter, Radio personality, Lyricist, Author, Producer, University professor, Company executive
Active Years
1985-
Affiliations
Orange & Partners Inc., President & CEO, N35, inc. (Founder/Director), Shimogamo Saryo Co., Ltd., President & CEO, Kyoto University of the Arts, Vice President & Professor, Tohoku University of Art & Design, Professor (former), MOS Food Services, Inc., Outside Director, Kyoan Foundation, Councilor
Memberships
ONSEN Advisory Board (Onsen culture promotion council), Kyoan Foundation (Councilor)
Influenced By
Chūya Nakahara, Katsushi Hasegawa

Education

Amakusa City Hondo Junior High School
Country: Japan
Kumamoto Marist Gakuen High School
Country: Japan
Nihon University, College of Art
College of Art / Department of Broadcasting
Country: Japan
Graduation project was a video work titled 'Futsū no Seikatsu' ('Ordinary Life').

Awards

32nd Japan Academy Prize — Best Screenplay
2009
Work: Departures (Okuribito)
Category: 脚本賞（最優秀）
Organization: Japan Academy Prize Association
Result: 受賞
Yomiuri Literary Prize — Play/Scenario
2009
Work: Departures (and related works)
Category: 戯曲・シナリオ賞
Organization: Yomiuri Shimbun
Result: 受賞
82nd Kinema Junpo Best Ten — Japanese Screenplay Award
2008
Work: Departures (Okuribito)
Category: 日本映画脚本賞
Organization: Kinema Junpo
Result: 受賞
ATP Award — Special Prize
1993
Category: 特別賞
Organization: All Japan TV Program Producers Association (ATP)
Result: 受賞
Kumamoto Prefectural Cultural Award — Special Prize
2014
Category: 特別賞
Organization: Kumamoto Prefecture
Result: 受賞
Kumamoto Yume-zukuri Prize
2009
Organization: Kumamoto Prefecture
Result: 受賞
Amakusa City Civic Honor Award
2009
Organization: Amakusa City
Result: 受賞
43rd Best Dresser Award — Academic & Culture Division
2014
Category: 学術・文化部門
Organization: Best Dresser Award Committee (including Japan Men's Fashion Association)
Result: 受賞
Regional Cultural Merit Award
2020
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Departures (Okuribito)

2008 Film

A human drama following a man who becomes an encoffiner (nokanshi), exploring death and rebirth, family, and the dignity of work. Directed by Yojiro Takita and internationally acclaimed.

death and rebirthfamilydignity of workritual
Adaptations
  • [Book] Okuribito: Original Screenplay / 滝田洋二郎 (2009)

Yumichi (Yudō / The Way of Bathing)

2023 Film

A film centered on bathing culture ('yudō'), reflecting the author's exploration of onsen and bathing rituals rendered in cinematic form.

bathing culturetradition and everyday liferegional identity

Tokyo Wonder Hotel

TV drama

An omnibus-style human drama set in a hotel; Koyama was involved as planner and screenwriter.

hotelsencountersfragments of life

Snow Prince: The Forbidden Love Melody

2009 Film

A film script containing elements of youth romance; one of the films Koyama scripted.

youthromance

Bibliography

  • Fortune Data Book '94-'95
  • Novel: Iron Chef 1
  • Novel: Iron Chef 2
  • Novel: Iron Chef 3
  • Novel: Iron Chef 4
  • Novel: Iron Chef 5
  • Essay: Isshoku Nyūkon (One Meal, One Soul)
  • Koi Suru Nihongo (Loving Japanese)
  • Hints for Not Overthinking: How Ideas Are Born
  • Okuribito: Original Screenplay
  • Snow Prince: The Forbidden Love Melody (Screenplay)
  • 100 Life Cafés
  • The Technology of Connecting: How to Turn Lucky Coincidences into Necessity
  • How to Count a Life
  • Self Reset: How Not to Become a Boring Adult
  • Pachipachi no Hoshi (Illustrated by Yuki Ogaki)

Adaptations

  • Departures (film, 2008)
  • Snow Prince (film, 2009)
  • Yudō (film, 2023)

Translations of Works

  • Departures (English title/International release)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Warm portrayals of peopleHumor mixed with pathos rooted in everyday lifeConcise, cinematic dialogue
Recurring Motifs
foodtravelbathing (yudō)hotelsdeath and rebirtheveryday rituals

Legacy

Through wide-ranging activities as a broadcast writer and screenwriter, he has influenced television, film, regional projects, gastronomy and bathing culture. 'Departures' notably brought international attention and broadened discussions of death and ritual in Japanese cinema.

In Popular Culture

  • Contributed to regional branding such as devising the slogan for Kumamon (Kumamoto mascot)
  • The success of 'Departures' contributed to the international recognition of Japanese cinema

Quotes

  • I'm a birthday-gift maniac — making people happy is my happiness. I value making others happy through my work.
    Source: OPENERS (interview) (2015)
  • I believe 'yudō' is not just bathing but a cultural practice worth exploring.
    Source: ORANGE (project description) (2023)

Trivia

  • The pen name 'Udon Kumayakko' is an anagram-like inversion of 'Kundo Koyama'.
  • He has a younger brother with Down syndrome; Koyama has said his family background influenced his life and work.
  • Advocate and enthusiast of bathing culture ('yudō').
  • Known as a car enthusiast who has owned several imported cars.
  • Owns a renovated traditional house in Kyoto and is fond of Karuizawa.