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Miyako Moriyama

もりやま みやこ

Moriyama Miyako

Pen Names: Miyako Moriyama（Used as author name for publications and literary activities）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1929-07-10 （Omori, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Japan）
Died
2018-01-07 （Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan） age 88
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Omori, Tokyo → Osaka (worked at Hankyu Department Store) → Yokohama, Kanagawa (residence)

Career

Occupations
children's author, copywriter
Active Years
1968-2018

Education

Hyogo Prefectural Fukusaki High School
Country: Japan
Kobe College (Kobe Jogakuin University)
Country: Japan
Dropped out

Awards

Kodansha Newcomer Award in Children's Literature (Honorable Mention)
1968
Work: Five Little Squirrels
Organization: Kodansha
Result: 佳作
Bologna Children's Book Fair — Elba Prize (Special Prize)
1983
Work: The Cat's Photo Studio
Organization: Bologna Children's Book Fair
Result: 特別賞
Rohbo no Ishi Children's Literature Award
1989
Work: The Fox Kits (series)
Result: 受賞
Shogakukan Literary Prize
1990
Work: Tomorrow Was Good Too
Organization: Shogakukan
Result: 受賞
Noma Children's Literature Award
1996
Work: Maneya's Journey: Traveling Cat Road
Organization: Noma Children's Literature Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Hirosuke Children's Story Award
1999
Work: Bakery Bear
Result: 受賞
Akai Tori Literary Prize
2009
Work: Hana and the Friends of Terakoya
Organization: Akai Tori Literary Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Children's Culture Merit Award
2014
Organization: Japan Children's Literature Association
Result: 表彰

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Five Little Squirrels

1969 Children's literature (fairy tale)

A gentle tale depicting the everyday lives of little squirrels. One of the author's early representative works.

animalsgrowing upfriendship

The Cat's Photo Studio

1983 Children's picture book

A cat-centered story set in a photo studio. Noted for its warm humor and delicate character depiction.

animalseveryday lifefamily

Maneya's Journey: Traveling Cat Road

1996 Children's literature

A children's story centered on a traveling cat. Depicts humorous encounters on the road.

adventureanimalscoming of age

Hana and the Friends of Terakoya: The Sanpachi School Story

2008 Children's literature

A volume in a series set around a terakoya (village school), portraying interactions and growth among people.

educationcommunityfriendship

Bakery Bear

1998 Children's literature (fairy tale)

A heartwarming story about a bear working at a bakery.

workaffectiongrowth

Bibliography

  • Five Little Squirrels
  • The Cat's Photo Studio
  • Maneya's Journey: Traveling Cat Road
  • Bakery Bear
  • Tomorrow Was Good Too
  • Hana and the Friends of Terakoya

Translations by Author

  • Let's Play Together (Nick Butterworth - translated)
  • Shopping Together (Nick Butterworth - translated)
  • Helping Together (Nick Butterworth - translated)
  • Good Night Together (Nick Butterworth - translated)
  • At the Snowy Corner (Kate DiCamillo - translated)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
gentle narrative voicewarm, detailed descriptionseveryday humor
Recurring Motifs
animalsfamily and friendshipsmall everyday wonders

Health

  • cerebral hemorrhage
    2018-01-07
    Died at home due to cerebral hemorrhage

Legacy

Miyako Moriyama contributed to children's literature for decades with gentle stories often featuring animals and everyday life. Many of her works were beloved by children and received awards domestically and internationally.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Children's Literature Association

Archives

  • National Diet Library (holdings)

Trivia

  • Authored the famous cosmetics copy: "Age 25 is the turning point for your skin."
  • Began writing at around age 40 and subsequently wrote numerous children's books.