Japanese Literary Awards

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Yamato Ryu

やまと りゅう

Yamato Ryū

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1948-01-01 （Kyoto Prefecture, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
writer, novelist
Active Years
2011-
Nominations
Matsumoto Seicho Prize finalist (10th, 2003)

Education

Shiga University
Faculty of Economics
Year of Graduation: 1970
Country: Japan

Awards

Rekishi Gunzo Award
Work: Onna Hanabishi-den
Result: 優秀賞
Medieval/Early Modern Literature Prize
Work: Hanabi
Result: 優秀賞
Historical Romance Award
Work: Maiagaru Shima
Result: 特別賞
Kyushu Saga Popular Literature Award
2009
Work: Fuketsu Hōkei Ichimai Ori
Organization: Kyushu Saga Popular Literature Award
Result: 佳作

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Origami Daimyo

2011 historical novel

A historical novel set in the Edo period portraying society and human relationships through origami.

Edo periodhuman dramacraftsmanship

Great Edo: The Tale of a Female Fireworks Master

2011 historical fiction

Set in Edo, it follows the life and craft of a female fireworks master, with attention to historical detail.

craftsmenfireworkswomen's history

Bravo Town Magistrate: Racing Through Edo

2013 period fiction

A lively period piece featuring a town magistrate, with cases and human dramas unfolding in Edo.

magistrateEdohumanity

Mitsuhide's Double

2014 historical fiction

A story about Akechi Mitsuhide and his double, depicting intrigue and relationships in the Sengoku era.

Sengoku perioddoublepolitical intrigue

Siebold's Camel

2015 historical fiction

A historical novel set around Siebold and the Bakumatsu period, exploring foreign exchange and human drama.

Bakumatsuinteractioncultural clash

Sea of Camellias

2016 historical fiction

An ensemble human drama set against the sea and trade, intersecting historical events with personal histories.

maritimetradeensemble cast

Mitsunari's Last Gamble

2018 historical novel

A historical novel portraying Mitsunari's struggles and decisions around the Battle of Sekigahara.

Sekigaharastrategytragedy

Bibliography

  • Origami Daimyo
  • Great Edo: The Tale of a Female Fireworks Master
  • Bravo Town Magistrate: Racing Through Edo
  • Mitsuhide's Double
  • Siebold's Camel
  • Sea of Camellias
  • Mitsunari's Last Gamble

Style & Themes

Literary Style
realistic depiction incorporating historical factsconcise and readable prose
Recurring Motifs
gunpowder and fireworksEdo townscapeslives of craftsmen and officials

Legacy

Recognized for period novels emphasizing regional color and historical verification; notable for works based on local research.

Trivia

  • Born in 1948 in Kyoto Prefecture.
  • Graduated from Shiga University, Faculty of Economics, in 1970.
  • Began submitting fiction after a restructuring in 2001 and debuted as a writer in 2011.
  • Finalist for the 10th Matsumoto Seicho Prize in 2003.