Japanese Literary Awards

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Yoko Sasou

さそう ようこ

Sasou Yoko

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1964-01-01 （Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Children's author
Active Years
1995-

Education

Keio University
Faculty of Letters / Department of Human Relations (Human Science)
Country: Japan

Awards

Kodansha Children's Literature Newcomer Prize (Honorable Mention)
1995
Work: In the City Where the Jumbo Jet Flies
Organization: Kodansha
Result: 佳作
Japan Children's Literature Association Newcomer Award
1996
Work: Our Lousiest Summer
Organization: Japan Children's Literature Association
Result: 受賞
Jidō Bungei Newcomer Award (26th)
1996
Work: Our Lousiest Summer
Organization: Jidō Bungei
Result: 受賞
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award (50th)
2003
Work: How to Create Paradise
Organization: Sankei Shimbun
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Yesterday I Went to Mars.

1996 Children's literature

A child-oriented imaginative story about a trip to Mars.

AdventureImaginationGrowing up

Our Lousiest Summer

1999 Children's literature

A novel depicting children's summer events, friendship, and conflicts.

FriendshipGrowing upSummer

Goodbye, Wargaking

2001 Children's literature

A children's work portraying subtle emotions through unique characters.

IdentityFriendship

How to Create Paradise

2002 Children's literature

A story of searching for a 'paradise' from a child's perspective. Award-winning work.

IdealismFamilyComing of age

The Rose-Colored Monster

2004 Children's literature

A children's work containing fantastical elements.

FantasyFear and courage

I Want to Be a Villain

2004 Children's literature

A work depicting a boy's inner conflicts and desires.

MoralitySelf

Sannen Ichigo

2004 Children's literature

A humorous story for children.

HumorEveryday life

Even If the World Laughs at Me

2009 Children's literature

A work depicting the feelings of a boy isolated from those around him.

IsolationFriendship

Tonight Too, in a Corner of the Universe

2009 Children's literature

A collection of short stories using space and vastness as motifs.

SpaceSolitudeImagination

Iemoto Detective Masuno-kun

2010 Children's mystery

A child-oriented detective story set around a traditional iemoto family.

MysteryTradition

Sky-Colored Baton

2011 Children's literature

A story connecting friendship and dreams.

FriendshipDreams

Bibliography

  • Yesterday I Went to Mars.
  • Our Lousiest Summer
  • Goodbye, Wargaking
  • How to Create Paradise
  • The Rose-Colored Monster
  • I Want to Be a Villain
  • Sannen Ichigo
  • Even If the World Laughs at Me
  • Tonight Too, in a Corner of the Universe
  • Iemoto Detective Masuno-kun
  • Sky-Colored Baton

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear, approachable narrationDelicate psychological depiction from a child's perspective
Recurring Motifs
FriendshipComing of ageImaginationFamily

Legacy

Yoko Sasou is a Japanese author active mainly in children's literature, recognized for works written from children's perspectives and for multiple literary awards.

Archives

  • National Diet Library (authority data)
  • Library of Congress (authority data)

Trivia

  • Born in 1964 in Tokyo.
  • Graduated from Keio University, Faculty of Letters, Department of Human Relations (Human Science).
  • Won multiple newcomer awards in 1996 for 'Our Lousiest Summer'.