Japanese Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Hideo Okuda

おくだ ひでお

Okuda Hideo

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1959-10-23 （Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Novelist
Active Years
1997-

Education

Gifu Prefectural Gizan High School
Country: Japan

Awards

Oyabu Haruhiko Prize
2002
Work: Jama
Organization: Oyabu Haruhiko Prize
Result: 受賞
Naoki Prize
2004
Work: Kuuchu Buranko (Airborne Trapeze)
Organization: Naoki Prize Selection Committee
Result: 受賞
Shibata Renzaburo Prize
2007
Work: Iehiyori
Organization: Shibata Renzaburo Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize
2009
Work: Olympic Ransom
Organization: Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Uranbana no Mori

1997 Novel

Debut novel published after being submitted directly to a publisher; draws on the author's experience in advertising and media to portray human drama.

debutadvertising industryhuman relationships

Saiaku (The Worst)

1999 Short stories / Mystery

A short story collection that mixes black humor with mystery; it portrays the darker and comical aspects of its characters and ranked highly in a contemporary mystery guide.

mysteryblack humordark sides of human nature
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Saiaku (2001)

Jama

2001 Novel / Suspense

A novel that explores downfall and violence hidden in everyday family life; noted for its psychological portrayal of characters and winner of the Oyabu Haruhiko Prize.

familydownfallsuspense
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Jama: The Housewife's Road to Ruin (2015)

In the Pool

2002 Short stories / Satire

A linked series of short stories centered on psychiatrist Dr. Irabu Ichiro; a starting point for the Irabu series, combining humor and satire to depict human psychology.

psychiatryhumorhuman psychology
Adaptations
  • [Film] In the Pool / 三木聡 (2005)
  • [TV drama] Dr. Irabu Ichiro (2011)
Translations
  • Traditional Chinese (Taiwan): '變態怪醫 Dr. Irabu' series (Sharp Point Press et al.)

Kuuchu Buranko (Airborne Trapeze)

2004 Novel

The second entry in the Irabu series; through psychiatrist Dr. Irabu, it portrays the emotional turmoil of modern people and won the 131st Naoki Prize.

psychiatristinner conflictblend of humor and seriousness
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Kuuchu Buranko (TV) (2005)
  • [Anime] Kuuchu Buranko (anime) (2009)
  • [Stage] Kuuchu Buranko (stage) (2008)
Translations
  • Traditional Chinese (Taiwan): translations of the Irabu series including Kuuchu Buranko (Sharp Point Press)

Olympic Ransom

2008 Novel / Suspense

A large-scale suspense novel revolving around the Olympics; notable for its social scope and ensemble depiction of characters, winner of the Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize.

social suspensepoliticsconflicting interests
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Olympic Ransom (TV) (2013)
Translations
  • Translated into multiple languages including Korean and Chinese

Bibliography

  • Uranbana no Mori (1997)
  • Saiaku (1999)
  • Jama (2001)
  • In the Pool (2002)
  • Madonna (2002)
  • Kuuchu Buranko (2004)
  • Mayoral Election (2006)
  • Southbound (2005)
  • Rarapipo (2005)
  • Girl (2006)
  • Iehiyori (2007)
  • Olympic Ransom (2008)
  • Muri (2009)
  • Junpei, Reconsider! (2011)
  • Rumored Woman (2012)
  • In the Town of Silence (2013)
  • Naomi and Kanako (2014)
  • Mukoda Barber Shop (2016)
  • Variety (2016)
  • The Tracks of Sin (2019)
  • River (2022)

Adaptations

  • In the Pool (film, 2005)
  • Kuuchu Buranko (TV drama 2005, anime 2009, stage 2008)
  • Saiaku (TV drama, 2001)
  • Olympic Ransom (TV drama, 2013)
  • Girl (film, 2012)

Translations of Works

  • Taiwan (Traditional Chinese): translations of the Irabu series and others (Sharp Point Press, etc.)
  • China (Simplified Chinese): translations including 'Jama' (Jilin Publishing Group, etc.)
  • Korean: multiple titles translated (e.g. 'Uranbana no Mori', 'Saiaku', 'Jama', etc.)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
wry humor and satirekeen psychological descriptiondialogue-driven, brisk prose
Recurring Motifs
Dr. Irabu and psychiatric settingssubtleties of family and daily lifesocial malaise and the comic

Legacy

Okuda is known for combining sharp psychological insight with humor, earning wide readership and major literary awards such as the Naoki Prize and the Yoshikawa Eiji Prize. Numerous works have been adapted to film, TV, anime, and stage, and he is regarded as a representative author of contemporary Japanese popular fiction.

In Popular Culture

  • The Irabu series became familiar to the public through anime, film and TV adaptations

Trivia

  • Born in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture.
  • Worked as an advertising planner, copywriter and writer for shows before debuting in 1997.
  • An avid fan of the Chunichi Dragons baseball team.
  • 'Kuuchu Buranko' won the 131st Naoki Prize.
  • Many works have been adapted to film, TV, anime and stage.