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Mitsuharu Sagawa

さがわ みつはる

Sagawa Mitsuharu

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1965-02-08 （Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Kami-Ochiai, Shinjuku, Tokyo → Chigasaki, Kanagawa → Shiki, Saitama

Career

Occupations
Novelist
Active Years
2000-
Nominations
14th Mishima Yukio Prize nominee (for 'Seikatsu no Sekkei'), 125th Akutagawa Prize nominee (for 'Jam no Karabira'), 127th Akutagawa Prize nominee (for 'Chijinda Ai'), 131st Akutagawa Prize nominee (for 'Tomurai no Ato'), 134th Akutagawa Prize nominee (for 'Giniro no Tsubasa'), 136th Akutagawa Prize nominee (for 'Kazoku no Shouzou')

Education

Hokkaido University, Faculty of Law
Faculty of Law / Law
Degree: 学士
Country: Japan
Studied at Hokkaido University; traveled around South America while in student dormitory (Eteki Dormitory)
Kanagawa Prefectural Chigasaki Hokuryō High School
Country: Japan
High school graduate

Awards

32nd Shincho New Writers' Award
2000
Work: Seikatsu no Sekkei (Design of Life)
Organization: Shinchosha
Result: 受賞
24th Noma Literary New Face Prize
2002
Work: Chijinda Ai (A Shrinking Love)
Organization: Noma Literary Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
26th Jyoji Tsubota Literary Award
2011
Work: Ore no Obasan (My Aunt)
Organization: Tsubota Jyoji Literary Award Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Seikatsu no Sekkei (Design of Life)

2001 Novel

Debut collection/novel that focuses on characters and their everyday lives and plans.

Everyday lifeFamilyWork

Chijinda Ai (A Shrinking Love)

2002 Short stories / Fiction

A collection of short pieces that explore intimacy, loneliness, and familial strains; includes the work that won the Noma New Face Prize.

FamilyLonelinessInterpersonal relationships

We Grow Up

2009 Coming-of-age novel

A work marking a turn toward youth and coming-of-age fiction, focusing on growth and friendships among young people.

GrowthFriendshipYouth

My Aunt

2010 Novel

A warm portrayal of family and intergenerational bonds; winner of the Tsubota Jyoji Literary Award.

FamilyIntergenerational relationshipsEveryday life

Bibliography

  • Seikatsu no Sekkei (Design of Life)
  • Jam no Karabira (Jam Jar)
  • Chijinda Ai (A Shrinking Love)
  • Kyokutō Angura Shōden (True Story of the Far East Underground)
  • Haiiro no Hitomi (Gray Eyes)
  • Kazoku Shibai (Family Play)
  • Eien no Chikai (Eternal Vow)
  • Giniro no Tsubasa (Silver Wings)
  • The Man Who Chased the Rainbow
  • The Golden Cradle
  • We Grow Up
  • Killing Cattle
  • Dad's Okay
  • My Aunt
  • Welcome Back, Mr. Batman
  • Quiet Night: Collected Works of Mitsuharu Sagawa
  • Mountains and Love
  • Tetsudō no Tabi (Journey of the Railway Boy)
  • Let's Become a Househusband!
  • Principal! There's a Call
  • A New Family
  • The Day to Grow Up
  • Sunrise
  • The Sound of Hooves Loud
  • Showa 40s Man: The Olympos Family

Style & Themes

Literary Style
A narrative that carefully depicts the details of everyday lifeWarmth and gentle humor in proseNatural, dialogue-driven depiction
Recurring Motifs
FamilyChildren and growing upWork and livelihoodNostalgia

Legacy

Recognized for warm portrayals of contemporary family life and everyday scenes. Winner of the Shincho New Writers' Award, Noma Literary New Face Prize and the Tsubota Jyoji Literary Award; also noted for a shift toward youth and coming-of-age fiction.

Trivia

  • Legally 'Sagawa' is his former surname; his registered family name is his wife's surname (Suzuki).
  • While at university he received a scholarship from the Gasei South America Study Fund and traveled around South America.
  • He has publicly lived as a househusband.
  • He supports the introduction of an optional system for married couples to retain separate surnames.