Japanese Literary Awards

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Susumu Nakanishi

なかにし すすむ

Nakanishi Susumu

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1929-08-21 （Matsuan, Takaido Town, Toyotama District, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan (now Matsuan, Suginami, Tokyo, Japan)）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Matsuan, Suginami, Tokyo (birthplace) → Hiroshima (lived during and after WWII) → Kyoto (long-term residence and base of activity)

Career

Occupations
Educator, Literary scholar, Manyo scholar, Comparative literature scholar, Researcher
Active Years
1953-
Affiliations
Seijo University, University of Tsukuba, International Research Center for Japanese Studies, Tezukayama Gakuin University, Osaka Jogakuin University, Kyoto City University of Arts, Ikebono Junior College, Koshi no Kuni Museum of Literature
Memberships
Science Council of Japan, Japanese Association for Comparative Literature, Japan PEN Club
Influenced By
Takagi Ichinosuke, Doi Mitsutomo
Influenced
Hideo Levy, , Yōko Komiyama,

Education

University of Tokyo
Faculty of Letters / Department of Japanese Literature
Degree: 文学士
Period: 1950s
Year of Graduation: 1953
Country: Japan
Obtained Bachelor of Letters
Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, University of Tokyo
Graduate School of Letters / Japanese Literature
Degree: 文学修士
Period: 1953–1955
Year of Graduation: 1955
Country: Japan
Completed master's course
Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, University of Tokyo
Graduate School of Letters / Japanese Literature
Degree: 文学博士
Period: 1955–1962
Year of Graduation: 1962
Country: Japan
Ph.D. (thesis: Comparative literary study of the Manyoshu)

Awards

Yomiuri Literature Prize
1964
Work: Comparative Literary Study of the Manyoshu
Organization: Yomiuri Shimbun
Result: 受賞
Japan Academy Prize
1970
Organization: Japan Academy
Result: 受賞
Watsuji Tetsuro Cultural Prize
1990
Work: Manyoshu and the Sea
Organization: Himeji Literary Museum
Result: 受賞
Osaragi Jiro Prize
1997
Work: The Tale of Genji and Bai Juyi
Organization: The Asahi Shimbun Company
Result: 受賞
Kikuchi Kan Prize
2010
Work: Educational outreach (Manyo Mirai-juku, etc.)
Organization: Kikuchi Kan Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Persons of Cultural Merit
2004
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs
Result: 顕彰
Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon (瑞宝重光章)
2005
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Order of Culture
2013
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Kyoto Shimbun Culture Prize
2002
Organization: Kyoto Shimbun
Result: 受賞
Nara Television Broadcasting Cultural Award
2004
Work: Susumu Nakanishi's Manyo Kokoro Tab
Organization: Nara Television Broadcasting
Result: 受賞
Toyama Prefecture Special Honor Award
2013
Organization: Toyama Prefecture
Result: 受賞
Kyoto City Special Contribution Award
2015
Organization: Kyoto City
Result: 受賞
Honorary Citizen of Kyoto
2019
Organization: Kyoto City
Result: 授与

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Comparative Literary Study of the Manyoshu

1963 Scholarly research

A doctoral thesis and study analyzing the Manyoshu's formation and comparative literary aspects.

ManyoshuAncient Japanese literatureComparative literature

Manyoshu: Complete Translation and Annotation (Kodansha Bunko, editor)

1978 Translation and annotation

Complete annotated translation including original Chinese characters, modern Japanese translation and commentary, making the Manyoshu accessible to general readers.

AnnotationPublic outreachClassics

The Tale of Genji and Bai Juyi

1997 Scholarly research

A comparative-literary study exploring connections between The Tale of Genji and the Tang poet Bai Juyi.

The Tale of GenjiChinese literatureComparative literature

Bibliography

  • Comparative Literary Study of the Manyoshu (1963)
  • Manyoshu: Complete Translation and Annotation (1978–1985)
  • The Tale of Genji and Bai Juyi (1997)
  • Manyoshu and the Sea (1990)
  • Collected Works of Susumu Nakanishi (36 volumes)

Adaptations

  • Susumu Nakanishi's Manyo Kokoro Tab (Nara TV)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear, expository proseComparative cultural approach
Recurring Motifs
Manyoshu and ancient nature/landscapeMyth and folkloreExploration of roots of Japanese culture

Legacy

Regarded as a leading scholar of the Manyoshu and comparative literature, he contributed substantially to the study and public understanding of ancient Japanese literature. His numerous publications and annotated translations made the Manyoshu accessible, earning him high honors including the Order of Culture.

Museums

  • Koshi no Kuni Museum of Literature Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture, Japan Opened in 2012
  • Tanabe Seiko Literary Museum (served as director) Osaka Prefecture, Japan

Academic Societies

  • Japanese Association for Comparative Literature
  • Science Council of Japan

Archives

  • International Research Center for Japanese Studies (archives)
  • Koshi no Kuni Museum of Literature (related materials)

In Popular Culture

  • Gained media attention in relation to the Manyoshu passage cited as the source of the 'Reiwa' era name
  • Featured commentator and host on the TV program 'Susumu Nakanishi's Manyo Kokoro Tab'

Quotes

  • The era name is not something a mundane person like Susumu Nakanishi decides; it is determined by the voice of heaven. There should be no 'author' who devised it.
    Source: Interview (press, 2019) (2019)
  • The study of the Manyoshu's formation and its comparative-literary analysis has been my life's work.
    Source: Publications/lectures

Trivia

  • Author of over 100 books
  • Became topic of public discussion for commentary on the Manyoshu passage cited for the 'Reiwa' era name