Japanese Literary Awards

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Katsuhiko Takahashi

たかはし かつひこ

Takahashi Katsuhiko

Pen Names: （Pen name used when submitting to the Shousetsu Gendai contest during his student years.）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1947-08-06 （Kamaishi, Iwate, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Kamaishi (birthplace) → Morioka, Iwate (residence)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Essayist
Active Years
1983-
Affiliations
Iwate Art Support Center (associated), Editorial board member of 'Kita no Bungaku' (Northern Literature), Allen International Junior College (former lecturer)
Memberships
Member of the Japan PEN Club, Member of the Mystery Writers of Japan

Education

Iwate Junior and Senior High School
Country: Japan
Waseda University
School of Commerce
Country: Japan
Graduated from Waseda University, School of Commerce

Awards

Edogawa Rampo Prize
1983
Work: Sharaku Murder Case
Organization: Kodansha
Result: winner
Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award
1986
Organization: Yoshikawa Eiji Award Committee
Result: winner
Mystery Writers of Japan Award
1987
Organization: Mystery Writers of Japan
Result: winner
Naoki Prize
1992
Work: Crimson Memories
Organization: Naoki Prize Committee
Result: winner
Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Award
2000
Organization: Yoshikawa Eiji Award Committee
Result: winner
NHK Broadcasting Culture Award
2002
Organization: NHK
Result: winner
Japan Mystery Literature Grand Prize
2012
Organization: Japan Mystery Literature Grand Prize Committee
Result: winner
Historical & Period Writers Club Award (Lifetime Achievement)
2013
Organization: Historical & Period Writers Club
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Sharaku Murder Case

1983 Mystery

An art-mystery about the identity of Tōshūsai Sharaku, centered on murders and investigations involving ukiyo-e prints.

ukiyo-eart historymystery
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Sharaku Murder Case (TV adaptation) (1993)
Translations
  • 写楽殺人事件 (Chinese: 写乐杀人事件 planned)

Crimson Memories

1991 Horror

A horror novel dealing with memory, psychological elements and eerie pasts that drive the story.

memorythe uncannypsychological

Homuratsu (series)

1992 Historical fiction

A large-scale historical novel set around the Ōshū Fujiwara and northern Japan; served as the basis for an NHK Taiga drama.

northern Japanmedieval historyfamily and power
Adaptations
  • [NHK Taiga drama] Homuratsu (NHK Taiga adaptation) (1993)

1999 Historical fiction

A large historical novel set in the north depicting conflicts between the Emishi and the Yamato court; later served as material for stage and TV adaptations.

the northwarheroic saga
Adaptations
  • [Stage / musical] Aterui (musical adaptation) (2004)
  • [TV drama (NHK BS Premium)] Kaen: The Northern Hero Aterui (TV adaptation) (2013)

Jishū (series)

2000 Historical fiction

A historical series centered on Jishū, portraying medieval Japan; served as the basis for NHK's 'Hōjō Tokimune' drama.

medieval Japansamuraireligion and politics
Adaptations
  • [NHK Taiga drama] Hōjō Tokimune (NHK Taiga adaptation) (2001)

1985 Fantasy / SF

A spectacular novel mixing fantasy/SF and legendary elements with action and ancient lore.

fantasyactionancient civilization

Bibliography

  • Sharaku Murder Case
  • Crimson Memories
  • Gogh Murder Case
  • Dolls (series)

Adaptations

  • NHK Taiga drama 'Homuratsu' (1993) — based on his novel
  • NHK Taiga drama 'Hōjō Tokimune' (2001) — based on his novel 'Jishū'
  • NHK BS Premium 'Kaen: Aterui' (2013) — based on 'Kaen'

Translations of Works

  • Sharaku Murder Case (Chinese planned: 写乐杀人事件)
  • Hokusai Murder Case (Chinese planned)
  • Hiroshige Murder Case (Chinese planned)
  • Crimson Memories (Chinese planned)
  • Kaen (Chinese planned)
  • Jishū (Chinese planned)
  • Sōmontani (Chinese planned)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
A narrative style that crosses historical fiction and mysteryRealistic yet lyrical descriptionsScholarly attention to folklore and art history
Recurring Motifs
ukiyo-e and art historynorthern Japan and regional landscapememory and the shadow of the pastoccult and legendary motifs

Legacy

With a background in ukiyo-e research, he is known for range across mystery, horror and historical fiction. He engaged actively in regional cultural activities, provided source material for NHK Taiga dramas, and worked to revive local literary theatre and readings.

Academic Societies

  • Japan PEN Club
  • Mystery Writers of Japan

Archives

  • National Diet Library (NDL) - authority record available
  • Authority identifiers available in VIAF / ISNI / WorldCat, etc.

In Popular Culture

  • NHK Taiga drama 'Homuratsu' (1993) — based on his novel
  • NHK Taiga drama 'Hōjō Tokimune' (2001) — based on his novel 'Jishū'
  • Stage musical 'Aterui' (2004) and other stage/TV adaptations of his works

Trivia

  • During high school he made a long trip to Europe and is said to have met the Beatles.
  • After university he worked as a researcher of ukiyo-e and served as a lecturer at Allen International Junior College.
  • A prolific writer crossing genres (mystery, historical fiction, horror, SF); his bibliography exceeds 100 titles.