Japanese Literary Awards

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Mizuki Tsujimura

つじむら みづき

Tsujimura Mizuki

Pen Names: Mizuki Tsujimura（Pen name used for literary activities (same spelling as legal name)）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1980-02-29 （Isawa (former Isawa Town), Fuefuki, Yamanashi, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Isawa (Fuefuki), Yamanashi, Japan → Chiba Prefecture, Japan (attended Chiba University)

Career

Occupations
Novelist
Active Years
2004-
Influenced By
Yukito Ayatsuji, Fujiko F. Fujio, Natsuhiko Kyogoku
Influenced
Ayano Takeda
Nominations
2006 - Candidate for the 27th Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award (Koori no Kujira), 2007 - Candidate for the 60th Mystery Writers of Japan Award (Boku no Major Spoon), 2009 - Candidate for the 142nd Naoki Prize (Zero, Hachi, Zero, Nana.), 2010 - Candidate for the 31st Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award (Zero, Hachi, Zero, Nana.), 2011 - Candidate for the 24th Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize (Honjitsu wa Taian Nari)

Education

Chiba University
Faculty of Education / Department of Education
Degree: 学士
Period: 1998-2002
Year of Graduation: 2002
Country: Japan
Member of the university mystery literature club

Awards

Mephisto Prize
2004
Work: When Time Stops in the Cold School
Organization: Mephisto editorial (Kodansha)
Result: 受賞
Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award
2011
Work: Tsunagu
Organization: Yoshikawa Eiji Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Naoki Prize
2012
Work: Dreams Without a Key
Organization: Naoki Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Honya Taisho (Booksellers Award)
2018
Work: The Solitary Castle in the Mirror
Organization: Honya Taisho Executive Committee
Result: 受賞
Best Mother Award (literature category)
2019
Category: 文芸部門
Organization: Best Mother Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Bukulog Award (novel category)
2019
Work: Arrogance and Kindness
Category: 小説部門
Organization: Bukulog
Result: 受賞
anan AWARD 2024 (Creative category)
2024
Category: クリエイティブ部門
Organization: anan (magazine) editorial
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

When Time Stops in the Cold School

2004 Mystery / Horror

A long-form novel set in a high school. It follows students confronting a past incident, blending horror elements with mystery.

youthfriendshiphorrormystery
Adaptations
  • [manga] When Time Stops in the Cold School / 新川直司 (作画) (2008)

Tsunagu

2010 Short story collection / Human drama

A linked collection of short stories exploring human sorrow and consolation through messengers who arrange meetings between the living and the dead.

death and reunionlossforgivenesshuman relationships
Adaptations
  • [film] Tsunagu / 平川雄一朗 (2012)

Dreams Without a Key

2012 Short story collection / Mystery

A collection of short stories featuring mysteries that revolve around memory, guilt, and hidden secrets.

memorycrimepsychology
Adaptations
  • [Television drama series] Dreams Without a Key (TV adaptation) (2013)

The Solitary Castle in the Mirror

2017 Children's novel / Fantasy

A children's fantasy in which children gather at a solitary castle that appears in mirrors; addresses bullying, isolation, friendship and renewal.

friendshipcoming of ageisolationfantasy
Adaptations
  • [Animated film] The Solitary Castle in the Mirror / 原恵一 (2022)

Asa ga Kuru

2015 Contemporary fiction / Social drama

A social novel addressing adoption and the bonds between mothers and children; deeply examines family and ethical issues.

familymotherhoodethics
Adaptations
  • [film] Asa ga Kuru (film) / 河瀬直美 (2020)

Arrogance and Kindness

2019 Contemporary novel

An ensemble novel about interpersonal relationships and social judgment, portraying characters caught between morality and selfishness.

human relationshipsethicssocial criticism
Adaptations
  • [film] Arrogance and Kindness / 萩原健太郎 (2024)

Bibliography

  • When Time Stops in the Cold School
  • Children Play with the Night
  • Frozen Whale
  • My Measuring Spoon
  • God of Slow Heights
  • After School Searching for a Name
  • Zero, Eight, Zero, Seven.
  • Tsunagu
  • Underwater Festival
  • The Island and Us
  • Asa ga Kuru
  • The Solitary Castle in the Mirror
  • Arrogance and Kindness
  • Amber Summer
  • To See the Stars This Summer

Adaptations

  • Tsunagu (film, 2012)
  • Dreams Without a Key (TV series, 2013)
  • The Solitary Castle in the Mirror (animated film, 2022)
  • Asa ga Kuru (film, 2020)
  • Arrogance and Kindness (film, 2024)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
clear, readable proseblend of mystery devices and human dramaa sensibility often akin to children's literature
Recurring Motifs
schools and classroomsfriendship and familyloss and reunionsecrets and memory

Legacy

A leading contemporary Japanese female novelist who has won major awards such as the Naoki Prize and the Booksellers Award; many works have been adapted into films, TV dramas and anime. Praised for combining mystery structures with nuanced human portrayals, she attracts readers across juvenile and adult audiences.

In Popular Culture

  • Multiple film, TV and anime adaptations have increased recognition across a wide audience.
  • Has had notable influence among children's and young adult readers.

Quotes

  • Whether in print or electronic form, I hope to deliver works in formats that suit readers. Above all, I want as many people as possible to read my works.
    Source: Interview (Honto) (2013)
  • She has said that the Megami Tensei series shocked her with its world where nothing is absolute.
    Source: Various interviews

Trivia

  • Born on February 29, 1980 (leap day)
  • Her pen name '辻' was taken from author Yukito Ayatsuji
  • Debuted after winning the Mephisto Prize in 2004
  • After winning the Naoki Prize in 2012, she was awarded Fuefuki City's first Honorary Citizen Award
  • There was a lawsuit related to a cancelled NHK drama adaptation; NHK's claim was dismissed