Japanese Literary Awards

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Masako Mitamura

みたむら まさこ

Mitamura Masako

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1948-11-06 （Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Tokyo, Japan → Yokohama, Japan (during Ferris University affiliation)

Career

Occupations
Japanese literature scholar, University lecturer, Researcher, Author, Lecturer
Active Years
1971-2014
Affiliations
Ferris University, Sophia University, Waseda University (assistant, etc.)
Memberships
Japanese Literary Association, Society for Medieval Japanese Literature, Monogatari Research Association, Japan Classical Literature Society

Education

Ochanomizu University Junior High School
Year of Graduation: 1964
Country: Japan
Ochanomizu University Senior High School
Year of Graduation: 1967
Country: Japan
Waseda University, First Faculty of Letters
First Faculty of Letters / Department of Japanese Literature
Degree: 学士（文学）
Period: 1967-1971
Year of Graduation: 1971
Country: Japan
Waseda University Graduate School of Letters
Graduate School of Letters / Department of Japanese Literature
Period: 1971-1979
Year of Graduation: 1979
Country: Japan
Completed doctoral coursework (withdrew after obtaining required credits)

Awards

Japan Classical Literature Society Prize
1987
Organization: Japan Classical Literature Society
Result: 受賞
Kubota Uho Prize
1987
Organization: Kubota Uho Prize Selection Committee
Result: 受賞
Rennyo Prize
2009
Work: The Tale of Genji in Memory
Organization: Rennyo Prize Selection Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Logic of Expression in The Pillow Book

1995 Literary studies

A study analyzing expressive techniques and logical structures in The Pillow Book (Makura no Soshi).

The Pillow BookExpressionMedieval Japanese essaysWomen's literature

The Logic of Sensation in The Tale of Genji

1996 Literary studies

A study discussing sensory representation and its logic in The Tale of Genji.

The Tale of GenjiSensory representationMedieval narrative

Reading the Narrative Space of The Tale of Genji

1997 Literary studies

An interpretation of The Tale of Genji from the perspective of narrative space.

Spatial theoryThe Tale of GenjiNarratology

The Sway of Plants, the Tremor of Hearts: Rereading the Genji Picture Scrolls

2006 Literary studies / Art history

A study re-examining visual representations of the Genji narrative using the picture scrolls as primary materials.

Genji picture scrollsVisual cultureNarrative representation

The Tale of the Prince Who Could Not Become Emperor

2008 Introduction / Popular non-fiction

A reader-friendly introduction explaining the characters and narrative structure of The Tale of Genji.

The Tale of GenjiCharacter studyIntroductory text

The Tale of Genji in Memory

2008 Literary studies / Criticism

An essay collection re-examining The Tale of Genji from the perspectives of memory and time. Winner of the Rennyo Prize.

MemoryTimeThe Tale of Genji

100-Minute Great Books: The Tale of Genji

2012 Introduction / Popular non-fiction

A concise, accessible introduction to The Tale of Genji as part of NHK's '100-Minute Great Books' series.

Introductory textThe Tale of GenjiPopularization

Bibliography

  • The Logic of Expression in The Pillow Book. Yuseido, 1995
  • The Logic of Sensation in The Tale of Genji. Yuseido, 1996
  • Reading the Narrative Space of The Tale of Genji. Chikuma Shinsho, 1997
  • Makura no Soshi: New Series of Japanese Literary Research Materials (ed.). Yuseido, 1994
  • The Sway of Plants, the Tremor of Hearts: Rereading the Genji Picture Scrolls. Ferris Book, 2006
  • The Tale of the Prince Who Could Not Become Emperor. Shinchosha, 2008
  • The Tale of Genji in Memory. Shinchosha, 2008
  • 100-Minute Great Books: The Tale of Genji. NHK Publishing, 2012
  • Deciphering the Mysteries of the Genji Picture Scrolls (co-authored with Kuniharu Mitani). Kadokawa Sensho, 1998
  • The Tale of Genji: Contemporary Conversations (co-ed., Fumie Kawazoe, Kenji Matsui). Kanrinshobo, 2001
  • Interpreting The Tale of Genji (co-ed., Ken Akiyama). Shogakukan, 2003
  • The Genji as Depicted (co-ed., Fumie Kawazoe). Kanrinshobo, 2006
  • Scented Genji (co-ed., Fumie Kawazoe). Kanrinshobo, 2008
  • Dreams and Mononoke in The Tale of Genji (co-ed., Fumie Kawazoe). Kanrinshobo, 2010
  • Words and Bodies in The Tale of Genji (ed.). Seikansha, 2010

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Scholarly style grounded in close textual analysisApproach emphasizing historical/cultural context and visual materialsAccessible and pedagogical exposition for general audiences
Recurring Motifs
Natural imagery and sensory expressionNarrative space and visual representationMemory, temporality, and embodiment

Legacy

A leading scholar of medieval Japanese literature, especially The Tale of Genji and The Pillow Book. Contributed both to academic scholarship and public outreach through university teaching and NHK lectures.

Academic Societies

  • Japanese Literary Association
  • Japan Classical Literature Society
  • Society for Medieval Japanese Literature

Archives

  • Sophia University Department of Japanese Literature Bulletin (chronology and bibliography)

In Popular Culture

  • Widely known as a lecturer on NHK's 'Invitation to Classics' (1983–1995).
  • Selected as a participant for the 2025 Imperial New Year Poetry Reading (Utakai Hajime).

Trivia

  • Lectured on NHK's 'Invitation to Classics' (High School Course) from 1983 to 1995.
  • Served as professor at Ferris University (emerita) and later at Sophia University.
  • Received the Rennyo Prize in 2009 for 'The Tale of Genji in Memory'.