Japanese Literary Awards

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Mokako Nakajima

なかじま もかこ

Nakajima Mokako

Pen Names: MOCATINA（Used as a name for blog, SNS and theatre activities）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1979-04-01 （Katsube-cho, Moriyama, Shiga, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Actress, Director, Lyricist, Event planner
Active Years
2000-
Affiliations
PU-PU-JUICE, Girls Art Project 'Artistic Pantie', Theatre company 'MOCATINA Fujin'

Education

Nihon University, College of Art
College of Art / Department of Theatre
Country: Japan
Graduated (details of attendance period unknown)

Awards

Shincho Entertainment Award
2009
Work: Hinges
Organization: Shinchosha
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Hinges

2009 Novel

Debut novel focusing on four sisters; noted for its emphasis on the rhythm and presence of language.

sistersfamilywomen

The Witch and the Goldfish

2010 Novel

Raise Sails to the Sunset, You Who Laugh Nostalgically

2010 Novel

Does Anyone Know June?

2012 Novel

Enmitsu Hana Circus ~Philia du Fetisho~

2013 Novel

Amadare Koijoji (Sweet Drop Love Affair)

2014 Novel

Bibliography

  • Hinges
  • The Witch and the Goldfish
  • Raise Sails to the Sunset, You Who Laugh Nostalgically
  • Does Anyone Know June?
  • Enmitsu Hana Circus ~Philia du Fetisho~
  • Amadare Koijoji (Sweet Drop Love Affair)
  • Hazama no Sanpo (essay)
  • life has a funny,funny way of healping you out (essay)
  • The Day the World Turned Over (essay)
  • Start Line: 19 Stories About Beginnings (contributed)
  • Feel Love Vol.13 2011.3.11 (short story)
  • Sleepless Sighs (contributed)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Lyrical, rhythmic proseSensory-focused, presence-oriented descriptionsDelicate interior psychological portrayals
Recurring Motifs
sistersfemale relationshipsstage/performance

Legacy

She won a debut award for 'Hinges' and is recognized for a distinctive linguistic rhythm. Active in theatre, music and event planning in addition to writing.

Quotes

  • While other works worried about what to write, this work worried about how to write. I think how you write is more important than what you write. The language has a rhythm and presence unlike anything before. I felt a grand scale in how four sisters are portrayed, with none of them being ordinary.
    Source: Kaori Ekuni (judging comment), Shosetsu Shincho, November 2008 (2008)

Trivia

  • Won the 4th Shincho Entertainment Award for 'Hinges' (2009)
  • Graduate of Nihon University College of Art, Department of Theatre
  • Founder of the theatre group 'MOCATINA Fujin'
  • X (formerly Twitter) account: moccatina
  • Operates official blog 'MOCATINA: Ai to atashi no naka no hokorobi yo eien ni'