Japanese Literary Awards

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Miyoshi Akasaka

あかさか みよし

Akasaka Miyoshi

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1937-01-01 （Tokyo, Japan）
Died
2006-12-01 age 69
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
printmaker, picture book author, illustrator, artist
Affiliations
Japan Association of Children's Publishing Artists

Awards

BIB (Biennial of Illustration Bratislava) Gold Medal
1973
Organization: Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB)
Result: 受賞
BIB (Biennial of Illustration Bratislava) Gold Medal
1975
Organization: Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB)
Result: 受賞
Shogakukan Painting Award
1973
Organization: Shogakukan
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Itazura Ko-Oni

1967 Picture book (illustration)

Illustrated Japanese edition of a children's story by Julia Duszyńska; playful mischief stories depicted with a gentle touch.

childrenmischiefimagination
Translations
  • Polish edition 'Cudaczek-Wyśmiewaczek'

Fūranbō Goes West

1968 Illustration / Children's book

Co-authored/illustrated piece issued as a supplement by Gakken for junior high readers; Akasaka provided illustrations.

adventurewestern motifsjourney

Mr. Sartobi (illustrations)

1968 Illustrations (educational magazine)

Provided illustrations for Takeshi Hiratsuka's serialized piece in Gakken's educational magazine '4th Year Study'.

schoolchildreneveryday life

Seasons Not Lost: Records of Evacuated Schoolchildren

1968 Record / Children's literature (co-authored)

Co-authored with Shinsuke Tani; a record of wartime evacuation of schoolchildren, with Akasaka contributing illustrations and design.

wartime evacuationmemoirchildren

Aunt Beat the Ghost

1969 Picture book (translated)

Illustrated Japanese edition of a children's book by Věra Feráková-Míklová; Akasaka provided the illustrations.

ghostshumorchildren

Legends of Stars and Constellations: Summer (design)

1978 Illustrated guide / design

Provided cover design and some illustrations for Masao Segawa's 'Legends of Stars and Constellations: Summer'.

constellationslegendseducation

Do Do Do Do Do

1979 Picture book

A rhythmic picture book published by Kin-no-Hoshi; noted for its playful title and illustrations.

rhythmplaychildren

A Letter from Father

1983 Picture book

Published by Komine Shoten; a picture book about family and letters, illustrated by Akasaka.

familylettersemotion

Picture Book Gallery (co-authored)

1984 Catalogue / commentary

Co-authored with Shinsuke Tani; a gallery/catalogue presenting picture book works with commentary.

picture book studiesart collection

Don't Forget: The Story of the Lucky Dragon No. 5

1989 Picture book / historical account

A children's picture book about the Lucky Dragon No. 5 incident, conveying historical facts through illustrations.

historyanti-nuclearmemory

Choosing the Bird King

2002 Picture book

Published by Kyōiku Gageki; a picture book about animals, featuring Akasaka's cover art and illustrations.

animalschoicefriendship

Bibliography

  • Itazura Ko-Oni (1967)
  • Fūranbō Goes West (1968)
  • Mr. Sartobi (1968)
  • Seasons Not Lost (1968)
  • Aunt Beat the Ghost (1969)
  • Legends of Stars and Constellations: Summer (1978)
  • Do Do Do Do Do (1979)
  • A Letter from Father (1983)
  • Picture Book Gallery (1984)
  • Don't Forget (1989)
  • Choosing the Bird King (2002)

Translations of Works

  • Itazura Ko-Oni - Polish edition 'Cudaczek-Wyśmiewaczek'

Style & Themes

Literary Style
soft lines and warm color paletteapproachable imagery for childrendesign-conscious book layout and illustration
Recurring Motifs
animalsjourneysfamilyfolklore and legends

Legacy

Highly regarded as an illustrator and printmaker in the field of children's books; notable as a two-time BIB gold medal recipient (1973, 1975), among the first Japanese to achieve that. Winner of the Shogakukan Painting Award and later served as a selection committee member, leaving a significant mark on picture book publishing.

Archives

  • National Diet Library authority record 00001042
  • VIAF identifier 60451045
  • ISNI 0000000082445783

Trivia

  • Won the BIB (Biennial of Illustration Bratislava) Gold Medal in 1973 and 1975 (first Japanese to win twice).
  • Received the Shogakukan Painting Award in 1973 and later served as a selection committee member for the award.
  • Born in Tokyo; active as a printmaker, picture book author and illustrator.