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Tsutomu Saijo

さいじょう つとむ

Saijo Tsutomu

Pen Names: Tsutomu Kogane（Birth name / legal name）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1950-08-13 （Betsukai, Hokkaido, Japan）
Died
2015-03-31 （Midori Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan (hospital)） age 64
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Betsukai, Hokkaido (born) → Tokyo (Waseda University — residence/work) → Midori Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa (died)

Career

Occupations
Japanese literature scholar, University professor, Author
Active Years
1975-2011
Affiliations
Kokushikan University (Associate Professor), Senshu University (Professor, Faculty of Letters)
Memberships
Jōdai Literature Society

Education

Waseda University, Faculty of Letters
Faculty of Letters
Country: Japan
Undergraduate graduate (year uncertain)
Waseda University Graduate School of Letters
Graduate School of Letters
Country: Japan
Left after completing credits (did not complete coursework degree at that time)
Waseda University
Degree: 博士（文学）
Year of Graduation: 2004
Country: Japan
PhD awarded for research on myths and genealogies of ancient rulership in the Kojiki

Awards

Jōdai Literature Society Prize
1995
Work: The Birth of the Imperial Ancestor God (Amaterasu) and Ise Grand Shrine (and related works)
Organization: Jōdai Literature Society
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Kojiki Orthography

1998 Scholarly research (Classical Japanese literature)

A scholarly study examining orthography and written expression in the Kojiki, discussing historical meanings and methods of reading.

Kojiki studiesOrthographyAncient literature

Reading Antiquity: Myth, Voice, and Script

2003 Scholarly research

Interprets myths through both voice and script, exploring the relationship between ancient linguistic expression and oral/written transmission.

MythologyOral tradition and script

The Kojiki and Genealogy of the Royal House

2005 Scholarly research

Using the Kojiki as a source, examines mythic genealogies of ancient rulership and their processes of formation.

GenealogyRulership myths

The Birth of Waka within Asia

2009 Literary history / Comparative literature

Studies the origins of waka through comparison with Asian prosodic and poetic forms.

Waka studiesComparative literature

Mythology of Spirited Away

2009 Introductory / Mythology

Interprets the animated film 'Spirited Away' from a mythological perspective, discussing its symbolism and relation to tradition.

Myth interpretationContemporary culture and tradition

Unraveling the Mysteries of Kojiki Myths: The Hidden Backside

2011 Popular academic

Aimed at general readers, explains questions surrounding Kojiki myths and the underlying structures behind them.

KojikiIntroduction to mythology

Bibliography

  • Kojiki Orthography
  • Reading Antiquity: Myth, Voice, and Script
  • The Kojiki and Genealogy of the Royal House
  • The Birth of Waka within Asia
  • The Poetics of Kakinomoto no Hitomaro
  • Mythology of Spirited Away
  • Unraveling the Mysteries of Kojiki Myths: The Hidden Backside

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Scholarly, analytical styleClear, argument-driven
Recurring Motifs
Ancient language and orthographyMyth and royal genealogiesTradition and representation

Health

  • Multiple system atrophy
    2010年代〜2015年
    Progression of disease limited research and writing activities; died in 2015

Legacy

A scholar who made significant contributions to classical Japanese literature and mythology studies from genealogical and orthographic perspectives. Also contributed to education of younger scholars at Senshu University and elsewhere.

Academic Societies

  • Jōdai Literature Society

Trivia

  • Birth name was Tsutomu Kogane.
  • Retired from Senshu University in 2011.
  • Received the Jōdai Literature Society Prize in 1995.