Japanese Literary Awards

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Shinsuke Yoshitake

ヨシタケ シンスケ

Yoshitake Shinsuke

Aliases: Shinsuke Yoshitake

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1973-06-17 (Chigasaki, Kanagawa, Japan)
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan (base of activities)

Career

Occupations
Illustrator, Picture book author
Active Years
2013-
Affiliations
Pantagraph (formerly Studio Big Art)
Influenced By
Henry Darger, Hisaichi Ishii, Miki Igarashi, Shunji Enomoto, Taiyo Matsumoto, Fumiko Takano

Education

Kanagawa Prefectural Chigasaki Hokuryou High School
Country: Japan
University of Tsukuba, College of Art and Design
College of Art and Design
Country: Japan
Graduated from University of Tsukuba, College of Art and Design
University of Tsukuba Graduate School, Graduate School of Art and Design, Integrated Arts Course (Master's)
Graduate School of Art and Design / Integrated Arts Course
Degree: 修士
Country: Japan
Completed master's program

Awards

MOE Ehon-ya Award (1st place)
2013
Organization: MOE (Hakusensha)
Result: 受賞
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award — Art Prize
2014
Category: 美術賞
Organization: Sankei Shimbun
Result: 受賞
Nagano Picture Book Award — CONTEMPORARY Category
2015
Category: CONTEMPORARY部門
Organization: Nagano Picture Book Award
Result: 受賞
Kenbuchi Picture Book Award — Grand Prize
2016
Category: 大賞
Organization: Kenbuchi Picture Book Award
Result: 受賞
The New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award
2019
Organization: The New York Times
Result: 受賞
(Ikeda Akiko Memorial) Watakushi, Tsumari Nobody Award
2015
Organization: Watakushi, Tsumari Nobody (NPO)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

2013 Picture book

A picture book that humorously explores various imaginative ideas about an apple; a non-linear 'idea' picture book.

ImaginationEveryday perspective

2014 Picture book

A picture book that deals with the idea of creating one's own 'fake' self, blending humor and reflection.

SelfIdentity

2017 Picture book

A picture book about feelings of boredom and everyday life. The English edition won The New York Times Best Illustrated Book award.

BoredomEmotional experience

2018 Book (literary)

A collection of short essays and observations. Adapted into an anime in 2023.

Everyday observationHumor
Adaptations
  • [Anime] Sore Shika Nai Wake Nai Deshou (anime) (2023)

Bibliography

Adaptations

  • Sore Shika Nai Wake Nai Deshou (anime)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Simple line-focused illustrationsHumorous, empathetic depictions of everyday life
Recurring Motifs
Everyday anxieties and questionsShifts in imagination/ideasIntersection of child and adult perspectives

Legacy

Known for imaginative 'idea' picture books that appeal to a wide audience; by 2022 cumulative circulation reached about 6 million copies and his works have been translated in multiple countries. Numerous awards and media appearances have increased his public recognition.

In Popular Culture

  • Widely known through TV appearances (e.g., NHK), anime adaptations of his works, and official read-aloud videos

Quotes

  • I feel my work is to find small anxieties and interesting things in everyday life.
    Source: Interviews (various media) (2019)

Trivia

  • He is father of two sons.
  • By 2022, total circulation of his picture books reached about 6 million copies.