Japanese Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Masahiro Oshima

おおしま まさひろ

Oshima Masahiro

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1934-07-27 （Fukui Prefecture, Japan）
Died
1999-12-14 age 65
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Novelist, CM planner, Copywriter
Active Years
1960-1999
Influenced By
Jiro Nitta, Ryotaro Shiba

Education

Fukui Prefectural Fujishima High School
Country: Japan
Nihon University, College of Art
College of Art
Country: Japan

Awards

Nitta Jiro Literary Award
1992
Work: Kuzuryu River
Organization: Nitta Jiro Literary Award
Result: winner
Nakayama Yoshihide Literary Award
1994
Work: Executed Though Innocent
Organization: Nakayama Yoshihide Literary Award
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Kuzuryu River

1991 Historical novel

A historical novel set around the Kuzuryu River in Echizen. It depicts local history and human drama and won the Nitta Jiro Literary Award.

historylocal communityhuman drama

Executed Though Innocent

1994 Historical novel

A historical novel centered on Oguri Uenosuke (Oguri Tadanori). Based on historical events, it portrays personal conflicts and the movements of the era, and won the Nakayama Yoshihide Literary Award.

biographical portraitBakumatsu/Meiji transitionpower and responsibility

The Roar of the Northern Sea

1995 Historical novel

A novel about Nakajima Saburo-suke. Set against the northern sea and local livelihoods, it depicts historical events and people's lives.

seaadventureregional history

Abacus Bushido

1996 Historical novel

A period novel intertwining commerce and bushido, exploring the intersection of economic life and ethics.

commercebushidoethics

Like Flame

1996 Historical novel

A historical novel with biographical elements about Yuri Kosei, published by a local newspaper company.

biographylocal historypolitics

Yuki Hideyasu

1998 Historical novel

A work depicting the life of Yuki Hideyasu, who had Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu as fathers. It explores the character's inner life and political background.

personal historysuccession of powerfamily relations

Yagyu Munenori

1999 Historical novel

A work on Yagyu Munenori focusing on the sword and wisdom that supported three generations of the Tokugawa, depicting his life and thought.

swordsmanshipbushidophilosophy

Shimooka Renjo, the Bakumatsu Photographer

1999 History / Biography

A historical narrative about Shimooka Renjo, a Bakumatsu-era photographer. It incorporates aspects of the history of photography.

history of photographyBakumatsubiography

Sea Hawk: Miura Anjin (William Adams)

1999 Historical novel

A work about Miura Anjin (William Adams), depicting human dramas surrounding diplomacy and maritime voyages.

cross-cultural contactvoyagehistorical figures

Bibliography

  • Kuzuryu River
  • Executed Though Innocent
  • The Roar of the Northern Sea
  • Abacus Bushido
  • Like Flame
  • Yuki Hideyasu
  • Yagyu Munenori
  • Shimooka Renjo, the Bakumatsu Photographer
  • Sea Hawk: Miura Anjin (William Adams)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
detailed historical narrationcharacter-centered portrayalcareful period research
Recurring Motifs
samurailoyaltyfamily bondsregional history

Legacy

A writer of solid period and historical novels, known for works on regional history and biographical portrayals. He earned recognition through awards such as the Nitta Jiro Literary Award and the Nakayama Yoshihide Literary Award.

Archives

  • National Diet Library of Japan

Trivia

  • He worked at an advertising production company and was involved in creating many TV commercials.
  • Born in Fukui Prefecture. Graduated from Nihon University College of Art.
  • Won the Nitta Jiro Literary Award (1992) and the Nakayama Yoshihide Literary Award (1994).