Japanese Literary Awards

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Tomihiko Morimi

もりみ とみひこ

Morimi Tomihiko

Pen Names: Tomihiko Morimi（Pen name formed from his family name 'Morimi' and the name 'Tomihiko' (登美彦) referenced in Kojiki）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1979-01-06 （Ikoma, Nara, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Nara, Japan → Kyoto, Japan (student period)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Essayist
Active Years
2003-
Influenced By
Hyakken Uchida, Modern and contemporary Japanese literature

Education

Kyoto University, Graduate School of Agriculture
Faculty of Agriculture / Department of Biological Function Science, Applied Life Science Course
Degree: 修士（農学）
Country: Japan
While enrolled he belonged to the rifle shooting club and researched bamboo; completed a master's degree.

Awards

Japan Fantasy Novel Award
2003
Work: Taiyo no Tou
Organization: Shinchosha (Japan Fantasy Novel Award)
Result: 受賞
Yamamoto Shugoro Prize
2007
Work: The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl
Organization: Yamamoto Shugoro Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Japan SF Award
2010
Work: Penguin Highway
Organization: Science Fiction Writers of Japan
Result: 受賞
Kyoto Hon Prize
2014
Work: The Adventures of a Holy Lazybones
Organization: Kyoto Book Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Hiroshima Hon Prize
2017
Work: Night Train (Yako)
Organization: Hiroshima Book Award Committee
Result: 受賞
High School Naoki Prize
2019
Work: Nettai
Organization: High School Naoki Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Kyoto City New Artist Award
2021
Organization: City of Kyoto
Result: 受賞
Japan Sherlock Holmes Award
2025
Work: The Triumphant Return of Sherlock Holmes
Organization: Japan Sherlock Holmes Award Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Taiyo no Tou

2003 Fantasy

Written while he was at university; won the Japan Fantasy Novel Award and launched his career. A novel about youth and whimsical imagination.

student lifeyouthfantasy

The Tatami Galaxy

2005 Fantasy / Coming-of-age

Set in Kyoto university life, a novel of linked episodes centered on a small 'tatami' room; notable for humor and surreal imagination.

Kyotostudent lifefantasy
Adaptations
  • [TV anime] The Tatami Galaxy / 湯浅政明 (2010)

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl

2006 Fantasy / Romantic comedy

A whimsical youth tale set in Kyoto; known for its antique tone and unique rhythm. Winner of the Yamamoto Shugoro Prize.

Kyotoromanceyouth
Adaptations
  • [Feature anime film] The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl / 湯浅政明 (2017)
  • [Stage play] The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl (stage) (2009)

The Eccentric Family

2008 Fantasy

An ensemble story set in Kyoto where tanuki (raccoon dogs) and humans coexist; mixes humor with family drama.

Kyotofamilyfolklore (tanuki)
Adaptations
  • [TV anime] The Eccentric Family / 吉原正行 (2013)

Penguin Highway

2010 SF / Fantasy

A novel blending a child's mysterious experiences with scientific curiosity; winner of the Japan SF Award and adapted into a feature anime.

coming-of-agesciencemystery
Adaptations
  • [Feature anime film] Penguin Highway / 石田祐康 (2018)

Nettai

2018 Contemporary novel / Strange fiction

A work that reconsiders 'what a novel is'. It was a Naoki Prize candidate and won the High School Naoki Prize.

meta-fictionexistentialstrangeness

The Triumphant Return of Sherlock Holmes

2024 Mystery / Strange fiction

Written reflecting the author's slump period, this novel pays homage to Sherlock Holmes and won the Japan Sherlock Holmes Award.

Holmeswriter's struggledetective

Bibliography

  • Taiyo no Tou
  • The Tatami Galaxy
  • The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl
  • The Eccentric Family
  • Penguin Highway
  • Nettai
  • The Triumphant Return of Sherlock Holmes

Adaptations

  • The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl (feature anime)
  • Penguin Highway (feature anime)
  • The Tatami Galaxy (TV anime)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
archaic/retro tonedistinctive rhythmic proseblend of fantasy and realistic description
Recurring Motifs
Kyoto place namestatami room / cramped livingfantasy and youthtanuki (folklore)bamboo groves

Legacy

A prominent contemporary author since the 2000s whose distinct Kyoto-centered world and prose have influenced a generation; his works have penetrated popular culture through anime, stage and film adaptations.

In Popular Culture

  • Anime, film and stage adaptations of major works
  • Fan-driven bookstore promotion group 'Manami-gumi' and related merchandising

Quotes

  • Fantasy can be forced to a conclusion so I can somehow write it, but I cannot envision the complexly interwoven climaxes of real events; I don't really understand the point of writing serious novels.
    Source: Interview / conversation with Nozomi Omori (2007)

Trivia

  • Worked at the National Diet Library (Kansai and later Tokyo)
  • Belonged to the rifle shooting club at university
  • Pen name combines his family name and a name from Kojiki
  • Married in 2009
  • Many signature works have been adapted to anime, films and stage plays