Japanese Literary Awards

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Kyoko Matsuoka

まつおか きょうこ

Matsuoka Kyoko

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1935-03-12 （Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan）
Died
2022-01-25 （Chino, Nagano, Japan） age 86
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan → Baltimore, Maryland, USA → Osaka, Osaka, Japan → Tokyo, Japan (Tokyo Children's Library) → Chino, Nagano, Japan

Career

Occupations
librarian, children's literature author, translator, literary scholar
Active Years
1960-2022
Affiliations
Enoch Pratt Free Library (Baltimore), Osaka Municipal Central Library, Matsunomi Bunko (private children's library), Tokyo Children's Library (Chairperson / Honorary Chairperson), Toyo Eiwa University (lecturer)
Memberships
Japan IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People), UNESCO Asia-Pacific cultural programs (advisor/member)
Influenced By
Momoko Ishii, Teiji Seta

Education

Kobe College
Faculty of Letters, English Literature / English Literature
Degree: 文学士
Period: 1953-1957
Year of Graduation: 1957
Country: Japan
Keio University
Faculty of Letters, Library Science / Library Science
Degree: 学士相当
Period: 1958-1960
Year of Graduation: 1960
Country: Japan
Worked in university library before studying abroad
Western Michigan University
Graduate School (Children's Librarianship) / Graduate Program in Children's Librarianship
Degree: 修士 (Master)
Period: 1961-1963
Year of Graduation: 1963
Country: United States
Completed master's program in children's librarianship

Awards

Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Prize
1969
Work: Kushami Kushami Ten no Megumi
Organization: Sankei Shimbun
Result: 受賞
Children's Welfare Culture Prize
1971
Work: Where Is Toko-chan?
Organization: Unknown
Result: 受賞
Japan Picture Book Award (Translation Picture Book Prize)
1997
Work: Why Is the Ostrich's Neck So Long?
Category: 翻訳絵本賞
Organization: Japan Picture Book Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Iwaya Sazanami Literary Prize
1999
Organization: Iwaya Sazanami Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Library Support Forum Award
2006
Organization: Library Support Forum
Result: 受賞
Person of Cultural Merit
2021
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 叙勲/顕彰
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
2022
Organization: Government of Japan (Official Gazette)
Result: 叙勲（没後）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The White Rabbit and the Black Rabbit (translation)

1965 Children's literature (translated picture book)

A translation of a picture book by Garth Williams; known as one of Matsuoka's early translated works.

friendshipanimals

Paddington Bear (translation)

1967 Children's novel (translation)

Japanese translations of Michael Bond's Paddington Bear series; among her best-known translation works in Japan.

familyadventurecultural difference

Bibliography

  • Kushami Kushami Ten no Megumi
  • Where Is Toko-chan?
  • I Love Bath Time
  • Reading Picture Books
  • Children and Books
  • The White Rabbit and the Black Rabbit (trans.)
  • Paddington Bear (trans.)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
simple and gentle narrationchild-centered perspective
Recurring Motifs
animalssmall domestic adventuresoral storytelling traditions

Legacy

Through work as a children's librarian, translator and scholar, she made major contributions to the promotion of children's literature and picture-book culture in Japan. Founder and long-time leader of the Tokyo Children's Library, she influenced generations of practitioners.

Academic Societies

  • Japan IBBY (associated)

Archives

  • Collections at Tokyo Children's Library

In Popular Culture

  • Her Japanese translations of Paddington Bear have been beloved across generations.

Trivia

  • Founded the private Matsunomi Bunko and later played a central role in establishing the Tokyo Children's Library.
  • Awarded an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Culture) by Kobe College in 2015.
  • Named a Person of Cultural Merit in 2021; posthumously awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.