Japanese Literary Awards

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Nozomi Omori

おおもり のぞみ

Omori Nozomi

Pen Names: Mikuru Abo（Birth name; used for some translations and commentary）, Mori Nozomi（Used as an alternate pen name for some translations）, Kamei Kosuke（Alternate pen name）, Yazawa Sho（Alternate pen name）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1961-02-02 （Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
translator, book reviewer, critic, anthologist, editor
Active Years
1983-
Memberships
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan, Mystery Writers of Japan, Authentic Mystery Writers Club, Hen-kaku Mystery Writers Club
Influenced By
Judith Merril, Theodore Sturgeon

Education

Kyoto University
Faculty of Letters / Department of English
Period: 1979-1983
Year of Graduation: 1983
Country: Japan

Awards

SF Fanzine Grand Prize (translation/introduction category)
1987
Work: The End of the World and the Beginning of Stories — R.A. Lafferty Complete Statements [1979-1980]
Category: 翻訳・紹介
Result: winner
SF Alpha Award
1992
Work: The Virtualized Man (translation)
Result: winner
Seiun Award (Translated Short Story)
Work: "News" (Theodore Sturgeon - translation)
Category: 海外短編
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan
Result: winner
Seiun Award (Translated Short Story)
Work: "The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" (Ted Chiang - translation)
Category: 海外短編
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan
Result: winner
Seiun Award (Translated Short Story)
Work: "The Lifecycle of Software Objects" (Ted Chiang - translation)
Category: 海外短編
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan
Result: winner
Seiun Award (Open Category)
Work: NOVA Original Japanese SF Collection (editorial project)
Category: 自由部門
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan
Result: winner
Seiun Award (Nonfiction)
2015
Work: Sanrio SF Bunko General Commentary (co-edited/co-authored)
Category: ノンフィクション
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan
Result: winner
Japan SF Grand Prize (Special Award)
Work: NOVA Original Japanese SF Collection (editor)
Category: 特別賞
Organization: Japan SF Grand Prize Committee
Result: winner
Japan SF Grand Prize (Special Award)
2020
Work: Annual Best Japanese SF (co-editor)
Category: 特別賞
Organization: Japan SF Grand Prize Committee
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Mad Nishi-Kasai Diary 20th Century Remix: SF & Mystery Industry Rogues' Interactions

2009 essay/memoir

A collection of essays and reminiscences about interactions and behind-the-scenes stories in the SF and mystery publishing world.

publishingfandomhistory of SF

21st Century SF 1000

2011 guidebook/criticism

A broad guide introducing and commenting on SF works of the 21st century.

recommended readingcriticism

Bibliography

  • Young Indiana Jones: The Saint of the Jungle (novelization)
  • Haunted Mansion (novelization)
  • Modern SF 1500 Titles: Brawl Edition 1975–1995
  • Modern SF 1500 Titles: Return Edition 1996–2005
  • Special! SF Translation Workshop (New SF Translation Workshop)
  • Mad Nishi-Kasai Diary 20th Century Remix
  • 21st Century SF 1000
  • Modern SF Tourism Bureau

Translations by Author

  • The Three-Body Problem (co-translator, editor)
  • Doomsday Book (co-translation)

Translations of Works

  • The Virtualized Man (Charles Platt)
  • The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate (Ted Chiang)
  • The Lifecycle of Software Objects (Ted Chiang)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
clear, reader-friendly critical proseencyclopedic commentary grounded in wide source knowledge
Recurring Motifs
excavation of SF historytheory and practice of translationportrayals of publishing/editing life

Health

  • myocardial infarction
    2005, 2015, 2017
    Hospitalized and required recuperation but returned to work. Ongoing need for intermittent health management.

Legacy

A leading figure in Japanese SF translation and criticism. Contributed significantly as translator, editor, and critic to the introduction of SF both domestic and foreign, acting as a spokesman linking fandom and the publishing industry.

Academic Societies

  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan
  • Mystery Writers of Japan

In Popular Culture

  • Media appearances, lectures and event moderation as a spokesman for the SF community

Trivia

  • Maintains one of Japan's older web diaries started in 1995.
  • Nickname: "Warumono" (The Rogue).
  • Has recalled reading books on ski-lift chairs to secure reading time.