Japanese Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Tessho Nonaka

のなか てっしょう

Nonaka Tessho

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1961-01-01 （Buzen, Fukuoka, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Japanese literature scholar, University professor, Researcher, Author
Active Years
1984-
Affiliations
Kagoshima Junior College, Kagoshima International University, The Open University of Japan (Visiting Professor), Kokugakuin University
Memberships
Medieval Literature Society, Gunki and Oral Tale Research Group, Classical Literature Society, Classical Heritage Association

Education

Waseda University
Faculty of Education / Department of Japanese Language and Literature
Degree: 学士（教育）
Period: 〜1984
Year of Graduation: 1984
Country: Japan
Waseda University Graduate School of Letters
Department of Japanese Literature (Doctoral Program)
Degree: 博士（文学）
Period: 1990年代〜2013
Year of Graduation: 2013
Country: Japan
Completed doctoral coursework (withdrew in 1992); later awarded Ph.D. (Literature) in 2013

Awards

Kubota Ubu Prize
1991
Organization: Waseda University Society of Japanese Literature
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Formation of the Gosannenki

2014 Academic research

A scholarly study analyzing the formation of the Gosannenki based on historical sources.

medieval literaturewar tale literaturephilology

Detailed Commentary on the Gosannenki

2015 Annotated edition

A detailed annotated edition and commentary on the Gosannenki.

annotationtextual criticism

The Formation of the Hogen Monogatari

2016 Academic research

Research examining the formation history of the Hogen Monogatari.

medieval talesgenesis studies

The Formation of the Mutsu Waki

2017 Academic research

A study comparing sources and traditions to discuss the formation of the Mutsu Waki.

source comparisonfolklore studies

Solving the Mystery of Nasu Yoichi

2022 Historical/biographical study

A general-audience study examining the historical existence and background of Nasu Yoichi as depicted in the Heike Monogatari.

historical verificationbiographical history

Heike Monogatari Illustrated Guide

2024 General-audience guide

An illustrated guide that explains the characters, events, and background of the Heike Monogatari for general readers.

introductoryillustratedHeike Monogatari
Adaptations
  • [Television (appearance/supervision)] Classics Push! Heike Monogatari (2024)

Bibliography

  • The Formation of the Gosannenki (Kyuko Shoin, 2014)
  • Detailed Commentary on the Gosannenki (Kyuko Shoin, 2015)
  • The Formation of the Hogen Monogatari (Kyuko Shoin, 2016)
  • The Formation of the Mutsu Waki (Kyuko Shoin, 2017)
  • Solving the Mystery of Nasu Yoichi (Musashino Shoin, 2022)
  • Heike Monogatari Illustrated Guide (X-Knowledge, 2024)
  • Various co-authored and edited works

Style & Themes

Literary Style
scholarly, evidence-based stylecareful annotation and source criticism
Recurring Motifs
analysis of the formation of war talescomparison of sources and traditions

Legacy

Noted contributor to studies of medieval Japanese literature—especially war-tale formation—whose scholarship and public outreach (books and TV appearances) have broadened interest in classical texts.

Academic Societies

  • Medieval Literature Society
  • Classical Literature Society

In Popular Culture

  • NHK-E TV program "Classics Push! Heike Monogatari" (supervision/appearance)
  • The Open University of Japan special lectures (planning/production/appearance)

Trivia

  • Received the Kubota Ubu Prize in 1991.
  • Has planned, supervised, and appeared in programs for The Open University of Japan and NHK.
  • Author of several accessible books on Nasu Yoichi and the Heike Monogatari.