Japanese Literary Awards

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Motoyuki Shibata

しばた もとゆき

Shibata Motoyuki

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1954-07-11 （Ota, Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese, English

Career

Occupations
American literature scholar, Translator, Researcher, University professor
Active Years
1979-
Affiliations
Tokyo Gakugei University (lecturer → associate professor), University of Tokyo (associate professor, later professor; emeritus), Kobe City University of Foreign Studies (visiting professor)
Influenced By
Paul Auster, Charles Bukowski, Steve Erickson, Steven Millhauser, Richard Powers
Influenced
Koji Togo, Taichi Koyama, Yukihiro Abe, Kenji Ozawa (musician, former student)

Education

University of Tokyo
Faculty of Letters, Department of English / English
Degree: BA
Period: 1975-1979
Year of Graduation: 1979
Country: Japan
Graduate School, University of Tokyo (left after coursework)
Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, doctoral program / English and American Literature
Period: 1979-1984
Country: Japan
Left after completing coursework (did not complete doctorate)
Yale University, Graduate School
Master's program
Degree: MA
Period: 1984-1985
Year of Graduation: 1985
Country: United States
Studied and completed master's program

Awards

Japan Translation Award (BABEL International Translation Prize related)
1995
Work: Moon Palace (translation of Paul Auster)
Organization: The World of Translation (Babel Press)
Result: 受賞
Kodansha Essay Award
1992
Work: A Half-Baked Scholar
Organization: Kodansha
Result: 受賞
Suntory Academic Award
2005
Work: American Narcissus
Organization: Suntory
Result: 受賞
Japan Translation Culture Award
2010
Work: Mason & Dixon (translation of Thomas Pynchon)
Organization: Japan Translation Culture Award organization
Result: 受賞
Japan Picture Book Award (translation picture book prize)
2007
Work: A Normal Day Going to School (translation)
Category: 翻訳絵本賞
Organization: Japan Picture Book Award committee
Result: 受賞
Waseda University Tsubouchi Shoyo Prize
2017
Organization: Waseda University
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

A Half-Baked Scholar

1992 Essay

An essay collection reflecting on translation, literature, and scholarly experience.

translation theoryliterary criticismeducation

American Narcissus: From Melville to Millhauser

2005 Scholarly work / Criticism

A critical study of American literature, discussing contemporary US writers from the perspective of a translator and scholar.

American literaturepostmodernismtranslation studies

Valentine

2006 Fiction (short story collection)

Shibata's first short story collection, containing several short fiction pieces.

everyday lifepersonal memory

Translation Workshop

2006 Educational / Practical

A practical guide and commentary on translation practice and technique.

translation techniqueslanguage expression

Bibliography

  • A Half-Baked Scholar (1992)
  • Love's Preemptive Departure (1997)
  • American Narcissus (2005)
  • Valentine (2006)
  • Translation Workshop (2006)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
clear and expository prosebalance between fidelity to source text and readability in translation
Recurring Motifs
the act and ethics of translationdialogue with American literaturecross-cultural understanding

Legacy

Through his translations and scholarship on contemporary American literature, he has strongly influenced the reception of Anglo-American literature in Japan. As a university professor he trained many students and contributed to promoting translation culture.

In Popular Culture

  • Founded and edited the literary magazines 'Monkey Business' and 'MONKEY', creating platforms to introduce contemporary American literature.

Trivia

  • He edited 'Monkey Business' (2008-2011) and launched 'MONKEY' (2013-) to promote contemporary American literature.
  • He served as a translation consultant/checker for Haruki Murakami and co-authored books with him.
  • Musician Kenji Ozawa was among students from his seminar.