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Misumi Mizuki

みすみ みづき

Misumi Mizuki

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1981-04-18 （Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan → Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

Career

Occupations
Poet, Writer, Filmmaker, Performer/Reader, Musician
Active Years
2004-
Affiliations
Minami-Nippon Shimbun, Minami-Nippon Literary Prize Selection Committee, Hokkaido Shimbun (responsible for regional literature/poetry)

Education

Tokyo Zokei University
Faculty of Zokei / Department of Visual Communication
Country: Japan
Won the ZOKEI Prize for her graduation work

Awards

ZOKEI Prize
2006
Work: Tokyo Shinjū
Organization: Tokyo Zokei University
Result: 受賞
42nd Gendai-shi Techo Prize
2004
Organization: Gendai-shi Techo (Contemporary Poetry Notebook)
Result: 受賞
10th Nakahara Chūya Prize
2004
Work: Ouba Akiru
Organization: Nakahara Chūya Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
18th Rekitei Newcomer Award
2006
Work: Kanashiyaru
Organization: Rekitei
Result: 受賞
Minami-Nippon Literary Prize
2006
Work: Kanashiyaru
Organization: Minami-Nippon Shimbun
Result: 受賞
51st Fujimura Memorial Rekitei Prize
2013
Work: Renshi: Akubojima no Majutsushi (Collaborative Poems: The Magician of Akubojima)
Organization: Fujimura Memorial Rekitei Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
22nd Hagiwara Sakutarō Prize
2014
Work: A Room Without Neighbors
Organization: Hagiwara Sakutarō Prize Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Ouba Akiru

2004 Poetry collection

Debut poetry collection of introspective poems exploring illness, the body, family and memory.

illness and the bodyfamilymemoryloneliness

Kanashiyaru

2006 Poetry collection

Second poetry collection reflecting on loss and regeneration against the backdrop of steroid treatment and bodily change.

lossthe bodyregeneration

Sakkaku Shinakereba

2008 Poetry collection

A poetry collection themed on illusion and memory; a series where abstraction and corporeality intersect.

illusionmemoryvisual imagery

A Room Without Neighbors

2013 Poetry collection

Winner of the 22nd Hagiwara Sakutarō Prize; a collection notable for its quiet, introspective language.

lonelinesseveryday lifetime

Bones, Returning Home

2009 Novel

Her first novel (published by Kodansha Birth); a work that deals with home, the body, and death.

familythe bodyloss

Renshi: Akubojima no Majutsushi (The Magician of Akubojima)

2013 Collaborative poetry (Renshi) / Poetry collection

Co-authored with Ryoko Shindo and Kiyoe Kawazu; a renshi (linked-verse) work that develops images of motherhood and island life.

motherhoodislandcollectivity

Tokyo Shinjū

2006 Film / Short video

One of her graduation film works; a short film that received the ZOKEI Prize.

filmyouthrelationships

Ashita, Sekai ga (Tomorrow, the World)

2012 Picture book

Illustrated by Kenichi Aoyama; a picture book aimed at young readers.

hopeimagination

Bibliography

  • Ouba Akiru (2004, Shichosha)
  • Kanashiyaru (2006, Shichosha)
  • Sakkaku Shinakereba (2008, Shichosha)
  • Hakoiri (2010, Shichosha)
  • Akubojima no Majutsushi (with Ryoko Shindo & Kiyoe Kawazu, 2013, Shichosha)
  • Yoru no Bunpuzu (Kindle poetry collection, 2013)
  • A Room Without Neighbors (2013, Shichosha)
  • Gendai-shi Bunko: Misumi Mizuki Poetry Collection (2014, Shichosha)
  • Kaji o Hiku (2015, Shichosha)
  • Yoi Hikari (2016, Nanaroku-sha)
  • Doko ni Demo Aru Cake (2020, Nanaroku-sha)
  • Ashita, Sekai ga (ill. Kenichi Aoyama / 2012, Shoshi Kankanbo)
  • Bones, Returning Home (2009, Kodansha Birth)
  • Toritomenaku Niwa ga (Essays, 2017, Nanaroku-sha)
  • (Films) Tokyo Shinjū (2006) / Madogiwa no Shiroi Hana... (2008) / Kare ni Yoroshiku (2008)
  • (Albums) Warui Koto Shita Desho ka (2010) / Genmetsu shita (2011) / Oshimai to Ondo (2012) / Love Letter (2020)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Introspective, imagery-rich poetic styleUses short lines and layered fragmentsCombines concrete bodily imagery with abstraction
Recurring Motifs
the bodyillnessmotherhoodhomelonelinessnature (islands, landscapes)

Health

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
    2001 - 現在
    Onset in 2001. During convalescence she resumed writing poetry; the illness significantly influenced her work.
  • Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (steroid-induced; right lower limb impairment)
    2006 - 現在
    Developed in 2006. Caused limitations in mobility and affected daily life and creative activities.

Legacy

Recognized as an important contemporary Japanese poet. Notable for early award wins including prizes for her debut collection and being the youngest recipient of the Hagiwara Sakutarō Prize. Known for crossing poetry with film, reading performances, and music.

In Popular Culture

  • Releases combining spoken-word readings and music; collaborative albums

Trivia

  • Won a photography prize in middle school and once dreamed of becoming a war photographer.
  • Began writing poetry at age 12; resumed submitting work while convalescing, which led to her literary debut.
  • Won the ZOKEI Prize for a graduation film (video work).
  • Diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus in 2001; developed avascular necrosis of the femoral head in 2006 as a steroid side effect.
  • Became the youngest recipient of the 22nd Hagiwara Sakutarō Prize in 2014.