Japanese Literary Awards

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Watase Soichiro

わたせ そういちろう

Watase Sōichirō

Profile

Gender
Unknown
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Author, Light novel author

Awards

Dengeki Game Novel Award (7th) — Gold Prize
Work: Heian-kyō Hakke (title at award time; later published as 'Onmyō no Miyako')
Organization: MediaWorks / Dengeki Bunko
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Onmyō no Miyako

2001 Occult/legend (denki), historical fiction, ensemble drama

Set in the Heian period, the story follows young Yoshishige Yasutane (Kamo lineage) as he becomes embroiled in the occult, fate and grudges that haunt the capital. The series features onmyōdō practitioners such as Abe Seimei, itinerant sorcerers, shikigami and a broad ensemble cast.

Onmyōdō (Esoteric cosmology)Heian capitalGrudges and fateMentor–student relationshipsBoundary between humans and spirits

Onmyō no Miyako: Gekifūtan (Moonwind Tales)

2009 Occult/legend, spin-off novella/series

A spin-off series centered on Kamo Mitsuyoshi (Kōei), who serves in the onmyō bureau as a calendar specialist. These tales focus on his youth and duties within the bureau.

Calendar/astronomy practicesGrowth of young sorcerersDuty and compassion

Bibliography

  • Onmyō no Miyako (main series, 5 vols, Dengeki Bunko, 2001–2007)
  • Onmyō no Miyako: Gekifūtan (MediaWorks Bunko, 2 vols as of 2010)
  • Sample publication data: Vol.1 (Feb 2001) – Vol.5 (Mar 2007)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Narrative emphasizing occult/legend elementsArchaic-tinged yet accessible proseEnsemble character portrayals
Recurring Motifs
Onmyōji and shikigamiVengeful spirits and karmic tiesNighttime/hidden aspects of Heian capitalMentor–disciple dynamics

Legacy

'Onmyō no Miyako' is known in the light novel field for blending occult/legendary elements with historical depiction; it won the 7th Dengeki Game Novel Award (Gold Prize) and was subsequently published. The series and its spin-off 'Gekifūtan' have secured a modest readership in the genre.

Trivia

  • Won the 7th Dengeki Game Novel Award (Gold Prize); the title at award time was 'Heian-kyō Hakke'.
  • Illustrators: Akihiro Tajima (vol.1) and Wataru Saino (from vol.2) credited on publications.
  • Publication period given as 2001–2010; the series is listed as 7 volumes total (5 main volumes + 2 side stories) in source material.