Japanese Literary Awards

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Ryoji Arai

あらい りょうじ

Arai Ryoji

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1956-01-01 （Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
picture-book author, illustrator, lyricist, composer, musician
Active Years
1990-

Education

Nihon University, College of Art
College of Art / Department of Fine Arts
Country: Japan
Graduated from the Department of Fine Arts
Nihon University Yamagata High School
Country: Japan
High school graduate

Awards

Shogakukan Children's Publication Culture Award (46th)
1997
Work: Usotsuki no Tsuki (written by Rintaro Uchida)
Organization: Shogakukan
Result: winner
Bologna Children's Book Fair - Special Prize
1999
Work: Nazonozo no Tabi
Organization: Bologna Children's Book Fair
Result: winner
Kodansha Publishing Culture Award (31st)
2000
Work: Book of the Forest (text by Hiroshi Osada)
Organization: Kodansha
Result: winner
Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
2005
Organization: Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Foundation
Result: winner
Japan Media Arts Festival – Animation Division Excellence Award
2006
Work: Porta of the Land Between (original work)
Category: アニメーション
Organization: Japan Media Arts Festival
Result: winner
Japan Picture Book Award (11th)
2006
Work: Lufran Lufran
Organization: Japan Picture Book Award
Result: winner
JBBY Award (1st)
2007
Work: Taiyo Organ
Organization: Japan Board on Books for Young People
Result: winner
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award (59th) - Grand Prize
2012
Work: Asa ni Natta node, Mado wo Akemasu yo
Category: 大賞
Organization: Sankei Shimbun
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

MELODY

1990 Picture book

Debut picture book that marked the beginning of Arai's career as a picture-book author.

beginningsimagination

Lufran Lufran

2005 Picture book

A picture book notable for playful illustrations and rhythmic text.

rhythmplay

Taiyo Organ

2007 Picture book

A poetic picture book with musical qualities; its world-building received high praise.

musicpoetic sensibility

Porta of the Land Between

2006 Picture book / Story

A series for which Arai provided the original work; it was adapted to animation and presented with live painting events.

otherworldadventure
Adaptations
  • [Animation] Porta of the Land Between (2006)

Asa ni Natta node, Mado wo Akemasu yo

2012 Picture book

A picture book about morning awakening and the happiness of everyday life; recipient of the Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award Grand Prize.

everyday lifemorninghappiness

Bibliography

  • MELODY (1990)
  • I Am the Older Sister (1990)
  • Yukkuri to Jojoni (1991)
  • On the Bus (1992)
  • Once Upon a Time (1994)
  • Kuruyo Kuruyo (1995)
  • Lufran Lufran (2005)
  • Taiyo Organ (2007)
  • Asa ni Natta node, Mado wo Akemasu yo (2012)

Adaptations

  • Porta of the Land Between (animated adaptation)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
free, expressive line workchild-centered perspectivesimple and symbolic use of color
Recurring Motifs
childhoodnatureimaginary worldsanimals

Legacy

One of contemporary Japan's leading picture-book authors. His distinctive illustrations and narrative style have been recognized domestically and internationally, earning numerous awards in children's literature.

Trivia

  • Debuted as an author in 1990 with the book 'MELODY'.
  • Performs live painting and conducts workshops.
  • Also active in music: writes lyrics and music and plays guitar.