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Megumu Sagisawa

さぎさわ めぐむ

Sagisawa Megumu

Aliases: めめ / めめちゃん
Pen Names: Megumu Sagisawa（Main pen name used as a writer）, Megumi Kōki（Early pen name used when submitting to the Bungeikai New Writers' Prize (derived from father's pen name)）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1968-06-20 （Ota, Tokyo, Japan）
Died
2004-04-11 （Meguro, Tokyo, Japan） age 35
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Ota, Tokyo, Japan (birthplace) → Denenchofu, Ota, Tokyo, Japan → Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan (residence / schooling) → Seoul, South Korea (studied at Yonsei University Language Institute)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Essayist, Translator, Columnist
Active Years
1987-2004
Influenced By
Shichirō Fukazawa, Shōtarō Yasuoka, Tomomi Muramatsu
Nominations
101st Akutagawa Prize nominee ('Kaerenu Hitobito', 1989), 3rd Mishima Yukio Prize nominee ('Kajitsu no Fune o Kawa ni Nagashite', 1990), 12th Noma Literary Newcomer Award nominee ('Kaerenu Hitobito', 1990), 104th Akutagawa Prize nominee ('Hazakura no Hi', 1991), 5th Mishima Yukio Prize nominee ('Hontō no Natsu', 1992), 107th Akutagawa Prize nominee ('Hontō no Natsu', 1992), 15th Noma Literary Newcomer Award nominee ('Hang Loose', 1993), 117th Akutagawa Prize nominee ('Kimi wa Kono Kuni o Suki ka', 1997)

Education

Tokyo Gakugei University Affiliated Setagaya Elementary School
Period: 〜1981
Year of Graduation: 1981
Country: Japan
Tokyo Gakugei University Affiliated Setagaya Junior High School
Period: 〜1984
Year of Graduation: 1984
Country: Japan
Tokyo Metropolitan Yukigaya High School
Period: 〜1987
Year of Graduation: 1987
Country: Japan
Sophia University
Faculty of Foreign Studies / Department of Russian
Period: 1987-1990（在学、1990年に除籍）
Country: Japan
Entered by recommendation; debuted as a writer while enrolled; later de-registered (left) in 1990
Yonsei University Language Institute
Period: 1993（語学留学）
Country: South Korea
Studied abroad in a language program as part of research for writing

Awards

Bungei New Writers' Prize
1987
Work: Kawabe no Michi
Organization: Bungei (literary magazine)
Result: 受賞
Izumi Kyōka Literary Prize
1992
Work: Kakeru Shōnen
Organization: Izumi Kyoka Literary Prize Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Kakeru Shōnen

1992 Novel

Published in 1992. A novel exploring youth, loneliness and family relationships; recipient of the Izumi Kyōka Literary Prize.

youthlonelinessfamily

The President's Christmas Tree

1994 Novel

Published in 1994. Mixes political motifs and human relationships; adapted into a film in 1996.

human relationshipssocietysymbolism
Adaptations
  • [Film] The President's Christmas Tree (1996)

F: The Failure

1996 Novel

Published in 1996. A novel about school life and setbacks; adapted into the film 'F' in 1998.

school lifefailurecoming-of-age
Adaptations
  • [Film] F (1998)

Go into Town, Let's Kiss

1991 Essay

An essay collection published in 1991. Light reflections on daily life and youthful sensibilities.

everyday lifeyouthself-expression

Bibliography

  • Endless Nights of the Boys (1989)
  • Kaerenu Hitobito (1989)
  • Sea Birds, Sky Fish (1990)
  • Stylish Kids (1990)
  • Hazakura no Hi (1990)
  • Go into Town, Let's Kiss (1991)
  • Aishiteru (1991)
  • Kakeru Shōnen (1992)
  • Hang Loose (1992)
  • The President's Christmas Tree (1994)
  • The Miracle Island (1994)
  • Good Night Without Dreams (1996)
  • F: The Failure (1996)
  • Bye-Bye (1997)
  • Do You Like This Country? (1997)
  • The Passing River, the Smoky Bridge (1999)
  • Two at the World's End (1999)
  • Heartbreak (2000)
  • My Story (2002)
  • Welcome Home! (2004)
  • Beautiful Name (2004)
  • Go into Town, Let's Kiss (essays, 1991)
  • THEY THEIR THEM (1992; paperback retitled: 'I Didn't Mean That')
  • Kenari and Sakura Both Flowers (1994)
  • Nagne: On the Road — Essays on Places, Things and People (2000)
  • Red Water, Black Water (picture book, 2004)
  • La vie en Rose (play collection, 2004)

Adaptations

  • Film adaptation of 'The President's Christmas Tree' (1996)
  • Film adaptation of 'F' (1998)
  • 'Spring's Place' (unfinished) adapted into film (2006)
  • 'Welcome Home!' adapted into manga (2005)

Translations by Author

  • Translation: Pam Houston, 'Horse Heaven' (Japanese edition title: 'Ai shi no Rokudenashi', 1994)
  • Translation: Lee W. Lattridge, 'The Cat's Gift' (1997)
  • Picture book translations (1995–1999)

Translations of Works

  • Works translated into Italian, Korean and other languages (varies by title)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
light, urbane prosedelicate depiction of women's interioritya mix of humor and pathos in the narrative voice
Recurring Motifs
waterurban landscapesyouthful lonelinessfamily relationstravel

Health

  • Dependency on water (self-reported)
    2000年代頃（発言の記録あり）
    In an interview with Sankei Shimbun she said 'I feel anxious without water.' Self-reported behavior related to daily anxiety.
  • Smoking
    活動期〜没年まで
    Reported to have been a smoker. No public records specifying concrete health impacts.

Legacy

She debuted at a young age with the Bungei New Writers' Prize and later won the Izumi Kyōka Literary Prize, being active mainly in the 1990s. Known for depictions of women's interiority and urban sensibilities. Her career was cut short by her death at 35 in 2004, but adaptations and translations have left a lasting, if compact, legacy domestically and abroad.

Archives

  • Holdings at the National Diet Library (works and related materials)
  • Authority/control data records (VIAF / NDL, etc.)

In Popular Culture

  • Film adaptations of novels (e.g. 'The President's Christmas Tree')
  • Manga adaptation ('Welcome Home!')

Quotes

  • I feel anxious without water.
    Source: Interview with Sankei Shimbun

Trivia

  • Known as an avid mahjong player.
  • Preferred manual-transmission cars.
  • Her father was Shōjirō Sagisawa, head of an education publisher and an author.
  • Used the pen name 'Kouki Megumi' early in her career.
  • One of her sisters worked as a prosecutor.
  • Her works have been translated into Italian, Korean and other languages.
  • Close friends called her 'Meme' (nickname).