Japanese Literary Awards

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Takashi Yoichi

たかし よいち

Takashi Yoichi

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1928-11-10 （Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan）
Died
2018-01-07 （Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan） age 89
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Children's literature author, Librarian, College professor, Editor, Proofreader
Active Years
1962-2018
Affiliations
Kagoshima Women's Junior College (Professor Emeritus), Kurume Shin-Ai Women's Junior College (Professor and Librarian Director)
Influenced By
Mukuhatoju

Education

Toyo Language School (now Kumamoto Gakuen University)
Chinese Language Department
Country: Japan
Graduated from Toyo Language School (predecessor of Kumamoto Gakuen University)
Kumamoto University (library training)
Library studies / training
Country: Japan
Worked as a librarian at Kumamoto University library

Awards

Japan Association of Children's Literature Award
1965
Work: Umomareta Nihon (Buried Japan)
Organization: Japan Association of Children's Literature
Result: 受賞
International Andersen Award (Honourable Mention / Merit)
1977
Work: The Island with a Dragon
Organization: Hans Christian Andersen Award (IBBY / international committee)
Result: 受賞（優良作品賞）
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award
1977
Work: The Island with a Dragon
Organization: Sankei Shimbun (Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award)
Result: 受賞
West Japan Cultural Award
1992
Organization: Nishinippon Shimbun
Result: 受賞
Akai Tori (Red Bird) Literature Prize
2008
Work: Tengu
Organization: Akai Tori Literature Prize Committee
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Adventures of Hunter Taro

1962 Children's literature

Debut book; an adventure story for children.

adventurecoming-of-age

Buried Japan

1965 Children's non-fiction (archaeology introduction)

Introduces archaeology to children, explaining Japan's past and the significance of excavations.

archaeologyhistory educationexcavation

The Island with a Dragon

1976 Children's literature (with fantasy elements)

A children's novel mixing paleontology and legend; received international recognition.

paleontologyadventuremyth

Tengu

2008 Children's literature (folktale retelling)

A retelling based on Japanese folktales and yokai; winner of the Akai Tori Literature Prize.

Japanese mythologyyokaifolktale retelling

Bibliography

  • The Adventures of Hunter Taro (1962)
  • Buried Japan: A Guide to Archaeology (1965)
  • The Island with a Dragon (1976)
  • Tengu (2008)
  • Ancient Excavation Stories (7 vols) (1967-1968)
  • The World of Dinosaurs (1968)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
clear explanatory style for childrenweaves archaeological and paleontological facts into storiesincorporates retellings of folktales and myths
Recurring Motifs
prehistoric creaturesexcavations and ruinslegends and mythsadventure and exploration

Health

  • Aspiration pneumonia
    晩年（2018年1月）
    Died from aspiration pneumonia in January 2018

Legacy

He introduced archaeology and paleontology to children in an accessible way, pioneering new educational fields through numerous children's books. He also researched and retold works related to Mukuhatoju, leaving a broad influence in education, research, and children's literature.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Association of Children's Literature
  • Japanese Society for Children's Literature

Archives

  • Holdings / authority data at the National Diet Library of Japan

Trivia

  • Studied under Mukuhatoju.
  • Worked as a librarian at Kumamoto University, then as a children's magazine editor and proofreader before becoming an author.
  • Wrote numerous children's books on archaeology and paleontology.