Japanese Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Toshio Takashima

たかしま としお

Takashima Toshio

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1937-01-16 （Aioi, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan）
Died
2021-04-05 （Tokyo, Japan） age 84
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Aioi, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan → Tokyo, Japan (studied and worked) → Okayama Prefecture (worked at Okayama University), Japan → Aichi Prefecture (served as a visiting lecturer), Japan

Career

Occupations
Chinese literature scholar, Essayist, Translator, Literary critic, Researcher
Active Years
1972-2021
Affiliations
Okayama University (former Associate Professor), Aichi University (visiting lecturer), Activity as an independent researcher
Influenced By
Naoaki Maeno

Education

University of Tokyo
Faculty of Economics / Department of Economics
Degree: 学士
Country: Japan
After graduation he worked at a bank for five years, then entered graduate school.
University of Tokyo, Faculty of Letters
Faculty of Letters / Department of Chinese Literature
Degree: 学士/修了
Country: Japan
Studied Chinese literature.
University of Tokyo Graduate School of Humanities
Graduate School of Humanities / Chinese Literature
Degree: 修了
Country: Japan
Studied under mentors including Naoaki Maeno.
Hyōgo Prefectural Himeji Higashi High School
Country: Japan
Graduated from high school.

Awards

Popular Literature Research Award
1991
Work: Suikoden and the Japanese: From Edo to Shōwa
Category: 研究・考証部門
Result: 受賞
Kodansha Essay Award
1995
Work: I Like Books — I Like Criticizing Them Even More
Organization: Kodansha
Result: 受賞
Yomiuri Literature Prize (Essay & Travel)
2001
Work: Sōseki's Summer Holiday: Bōsō Travelogue (Kisoro)
Category: 随筆・紀行賞
Organization: Yomiuri Shimbun
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Li Bai and Du Fu — Their Actions and Literature

1972 Scholarly research

An early scholarly study comparing the lives and works of Li Bai and Du Fu, discussing their poetic actions and literary qualities.

Tang poetryStudy of poetsClassical literature

The World of Suikoden

1987 Scholarly study

Analyzes the formation of 'Water Margin' and its reception in Japan, examining characters and the cultural significance of the narrative.

Water MarginChinese classical literatureReception studies

Great Bandits of China: Men Who Aimed for the Realm

1989 History / Popular history

Analyzes Chinese rebellions and bandit groups, discussing the role of banditry in dynastic changes and their social background.

Popular uprisingsBanditryChinese history

I Like Books — I Like Criticizing Them Even More

1995 Essay

A collection of sharp observations and acerbic commentary on book reviews, Japanese usage, and reading.

ReadingJapanese languageBook criticism

Sōseki's Summer Holiday: Bōsō Travelogue (Kisoro)

2000 Translation / Travelogue

A colloquial translation and commentary of Natsume Sōseki's travelogue 'Kisoro' (written in Classical Chinese), making it accessible to modern readers.

TranslationKanbun readingModern literature
Translations
  • Modern-Japanese translation of Natsume Sōseki's 'Kisoro' (into Japanese)

Excuse Me, But...

1996 Essay

A representative essay series (originally serialized in Shukan Bunshun) that acerbically discusses word origins, correct usage, and misuses.

EtymologyUsageLanguage criticism

Kanji and the Japanese

2001 Criticism / Non-fiction

Discusses the historical role of kanji and their impact on the Japanese language, considering problems of kanji use and the issues surrounding traditional and modern forms.

KanjiJapanese language studiesHistory of writing

Bibliography

  • Li Bai and Du Fu — Their Actions and Literature (1972)
  • Hearing Thunder Where There's No Voice — Chinese Literature after the Cultural Revolution (1981)
  • Seeking the Autonomy of Literature — Reading Contemporary Chinese Literature (1983)
  • The World of Suikoden (1987)
  • Great Bandits of China: Men Who Aimed for the Realm (1989)
  • My Arbitrary Guide to Notable Chinese Works (1991)
  • Records of the Three Kingdoms [Portraits and Conversations] (1994)
  • I Like Books — I Like Criticizing Them Even More (1995)
  • Excuse Me, But... (series, 1996–)
  • Sōseki's Summer Holiday: Bōsō Travelogue (Kisoro) (2000)
  • Kanji and the Japanese (2001)
  • Favorite Masterpieces — Ten Writers I Like (2007)
  • The Failed Emperors (2008)
  • Conversations on Kanji (2013)
  • Excuse Me, But... (supplementary volumes, 2008–)

Translations by Author

  • Modern-Japanese translation of Natsume Sōseki's 'Kisoro' (published as 'Sōseki's Summer Holiday')

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Acerbic and lucid proseScholarly-backed essaysLogical development mixed with ironic critique
Recurring Motifs
Origins and usage of kanji and JapaneseChinese classical literature (especially Tang poetry and Water Margin)Historical studies of banditry and popular uprisingsBook reviews and language studies

Health

  • Eye disease (late life)
    晩年
    Relied on dictation for writing.
  • Heart failure (cause of death)
    2021-04-05
    Died of heart failure in 2021.

Legacy

Left extensive work in Chinese literature studies and Japanese language criticism, widely known to general readers for the acerbic essay series 'Excuse Me, But...'. Valued for a unique position bridging scholarship and essay, he received awards including the Yomiuri Literature Prize. A commemorative monument was erected in his hometown of Aioi.

Museums

  • Toshio Takashima Commemorative Monument (Ekiminami Daini Park) Rikuhoncho, Aioi City, Hyōgo Prefecture — Ekiminami Daini Park Opened in 2023

In Popular Culture

  • Wide popular reach through the serialized column 'Excuse Me, But...' in Shukan Bunshun

Quotes

  • Walk a path different from others
    Source: Commemorative monument (Aioi City, Ekiminami Daini Park) (2023)
  • Kanji were originally meant to write Sinitic languages and are not well suited to represent the Japanese language.
    Source: Kanji and the Japanese (2001)

Trivia

  • After university he worked at a bank for five years.
  • His hobby was the board game Go; he often referred to Go in his essays.
  • He corresponded with SF writer Masahiro Noda after Noda read 'The World of Suikoden'.
  • 'Excuse Me, But...' was serialized in Shukan Bunshun from 1995 to 2006.
  • In later life he relied on dictation because of an eye disease.
  • A commemorative monument was erected in his hometown of Aioi in 2023 (inscription: 'Walk a path different from others').