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Makio Mukai

むかい まきお

Mukai Makio

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1947-06-24 （Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Medical doctor, Essayist
Affiliations
Keio University, Keio University Hospital

Education

Keio University
Faculty of Medicine / School of Medicine
Country: Japan
Keio University
Pathology
Degree: 医学博士
Year of Graduation: 1988
Country: Japan
Doctoral thesis: "Study on antithrombogenicity and hemodynamics of temporary bypass tubes for the aorta"

Awards

Kodansha Essay Award
2009
Work: The Mysterious 1-Cent Coin: Truth Lives in Details in USA
Organization: Kodansha
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

I'll Go With You: My Wife Aimed for Space

1995 Essay

An essay recounting life with his wife, astronaut Chiaki Mukai, including training and departure episodes.

spacefamilypersonal memoir

My Wife Flew to Space

1998 Essay

An essay collection focused on his wife's spaceflight, touching on space development and family life through their episodes.

spacefamilyessays

Live Hardboiled

2003 Essay

Essays on views of life and work, written with humor and a sharp tone.

lifehumor

Number of Lovers and the Position of the Legal Wife

2005 Essay

Lighthearted essays discussing human relationships and views on love.

romancehuman relationships

The Mysterious 1-Cent Coin: Truth Lives in Details in USA

2009 Essay / Reportage

An essay collection exploring truth through stays in the U.S. and the stories found in small objects.

travelobservationsearch for truth

Bibliography

  • I'll Go With You: My Wife Aimed for Space
  • My Wife Flew to Space
  • Live Hardboiled
  • Number of Lovers and the Position of the Legal Wife
  • The Mysterious 1-Cent Coin: Truth Lives in Details in USA

Translations by Author

  • Barbara Ann Kipfer '4001 Wishes' translated by Chiaki Mukai & Makio Mukai

Style & Themes

Literary Style
conversationalhumorous column style
Recurring Motifs
spacebaseballfamily

Legacy

A medical scientist specializing in tumor pathology and also known as an essayist. Noted as the husband of Chiaki Mukai, Japan's first female astronaut, he communicated medical and everyday topics to the general public through columns and books.

Trivia

  • He describes himself as "the world's most knowledgeable pathologist about Major League Baseball."
  • His wife is Chiaki Mukai, Japan's first female astronaut.
  • He has written columns for the Asahi Shimbun evening edition and Weekly Gendai.