Japanese Literary Awards

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Yusuke Teshima

てしま ゆうすけ

Teshima Yusuke

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1935-01-10 （Kaohsiung, Taiwan (then under Japanese rule)）
Died
2020-03-17 （Japan） age 85
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Kaohsiung, Taiwan - birthplace (under Japanese rule) → Repatriated to Tokyo in 1946; thereafter resident in Tokyo

Career

Occupations
children's author, picture book author, novelist
Active Years
1970-2020

Education

Gakushuin University
Faculty of Letters / Department of Philosophy (left before graduation)
Country: Japan
Dropped out while enrolled

Awards

Gakken Children's Literature Award (Selected)
1970
Work: The Boy Who Vanished into the Wall
Organization: Gakken
Result: 入選
Japan Children's Literary Association Award
1990
Work: The Mysterious Key-Grandma (Kagibāsan series)
Organization: Japan Children's Literary Association
Result: 受賞
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award (Recommended)
2001
Work: Thank You, Kind People of Japan
Organization: Sankei Shimbun (Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award)
Result: 推薦
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award (Recommended)
2006
Work: The Trial and the Mysterious Cat
Organization: Sankei Shimbun (Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award)
Result: 推薦

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Mysterious Key-Grandma

1976 children's literature / picture book

Kagibāsan is portrayed as a warm, caring figure for latchkey children and others. The series became long-running, used in study materials and beloved by many readers.

familyfriendshiploneliness and solacemagic / enchantment
Translations
  • Some volumes translated into English, Chinese and Indonesian

Go! Guide Dog Serve

1983 children's non-fiction / children's literature

Portrays the devotion of the real guide dog Serve. The story moved many children and was adapted as an NHK anime and a TBS drama; it became a long-selling title.

devotionhuman-animal bondcourage
Adaptations
  • [anime] Go! Guide Dog Serve (anime adaptation) (1983)
  • [TV drama] Go! Guide Dog Serve (TV drama adaptation)

The 28th-Year Graduation Ceremony

1974 children's literature / war literature

Set against the Tokyo air raids and child evacuations; depicts wartime suffering and later reunion of classmates. Adapted into an NHK drama.

war and peacememoryreunion
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] NHK serialized youth drama (1975)

The Trial and the Mysterious Cat

2005 children's literature

Through a school's mock trial, the story prompts thinking about courts and justice. It was recommended for the Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award.

justiceresponsibilitygrowing up

Bibliography

  • The Boy Who Vanished into the Wall
  • The Mysterious Key-Grandma
  • The 28th-Year Graduation Ceremony
  • Go! Guide Dog Serve
  • Thank You, Kind People of Japan
  • The Trial and the Mysterious Cat
  • Fly! The Thousand Paper Cranes — The Record of Sadako Sasaki

Adaptations

  • Adapted as an NHK serialized youth drama (The 28th-Year Graduation Ceremony)
  • Adapted as an NHK anime (Go! Guide Dog Serve)
  • Adapted as a TBS TV drama (Go! Guide Dog Serve)
  • Toho film adaptation (The Tears of the Gold Medal — The Story of Yasuhiro Yamashita)

Translations of Works

  • Some works translated into English, Chinese and Indonesian

Style & Themes

Literary Style
gentle, child-oriented narrationincorporates non-fictional elements and reportage-like depictionoccasionally uses poetic and emotive expression
Recurring Motifs
war and peaceguide dogs / animal devotionfamily and friendshipchildren's growth and compassion for the vulnerable

Legacy

Active for decades in children's literature and picture books, influencing a wide readership with works such as the Kagibāsan series and Go! Guide Dog Serve. His books are valued for educational use and for addressing social themes; several titles were adapted and translated.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Children's Literary Association

In Popular Culture

  • Works related to the guide dog Serve have been featured in anime and TV dramas and are sometimes covered in programs and documentaries.

Trivia

  • The Kagibāsan series comprises 20 volumes and has been published in paperback and as e-books.
  • Go! Guide Dog Serve was translated into other languages and featured in educational materials and TV programs.