Japanese Literary Awards

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Yukio Taniguchi

たにぐち ゆきお

Taniguchi Yukio

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1929-07-09 （Japan）
Died
2021-04-03 （Sanda, Hyōgo, Japan） age 91
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
literary scholar, folklorist, translator, university professor, researcher
Active Years
1973-
Affiliations
Akita University (Assistant, Faculty of Education), Kobe University (Assistant/Lecturer/Associate Professor), Hiroshima University (Associate Professor/Professor, Emeritus Professor), Osaka Gakuin University (Professor, International Studies)
Memberships
Japan Association for German Studies, Japan Goethe Society (until 1986), Hiroshima Japan-Germany Association (since 1964), Hiroshima German Literature Society (1980-1986), Japan Icelandic Studies Association (1981-1986)
Influenced By
Snorri Sturluson

Education

University of Tokyo
Faculty of Letters / German literature
Degree: 学士
Period: 〜1953
Year of Graduation: 1953
Country: Japan

Awards

German Language and Literature Promotion Association Encouragement Award
1963
Organization: German Language and Literature Promotion Association
Result: 受賞
Japan Translation Culture Award
1973
Work: Edda — Ancient Norse Songs (translation)
Organization: Japan Association of Translators
Result: 受賞
Fujimura Memorial Rekitei Prize
1980
Work: Translations of Icelandic sagas, etc.
Organization: Fujimura Memorial Rekitei Prize Committee
Result: 受賞
Order of the Falcon (Iceland)
1990
Organization: Government of Iceland
Result: 受章
Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays
2012
Organization: Government of Japan (Cabinet Office)
Result: 受章

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Edda — Ancient Norse Songs

1973 translation (classical/poetry)

A Japanese translation of the Norse Edda poems, with scholarly notes and commentary, intended as both translation and an introduction.

Norse mythologyclassical translationfolklore

Icelandic Sagas (translation)

1979 translation (medieval saga)

A major translation and presentation of the Icelandic sagas into Japanese, conveying the blend of history and legend.

sagasNorthern European historyepic literature

Edda and the Sagas — A Guide to Norse Classics

1976 scholarly guide

An accessible scholarly guide to Norse classics (Edda and sagas), explaining contexts and key points for readers.

introductory guidecultural historymythology commentary

Bibliography

  • Edda — Ancient Norse Songs (translation)
  • Edda and the Sagas — A Guide to Norse Classics
  • Icelandic Sagas (translation)
  • Germanic Folklore
  • Illustrated Concise Dictionary of German Folklore (co‑authored)
  • Grimm Alive in the Modern World (co‑authored)

Translations of Works

  • Heimskringla — Histories of the Norse Kings (Snorri Sturluson, translation)
  • Hávamál — Wisdom of the Vikings (Japanese translation)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
scholarly yet clear Japanese translationsannotative, explanatory prose
Recurring Motifs
Norse mythologyfolk rituals and traditionrunes and ancient history

Legacy

Through Japanese translations and commentaries on Norse classics, he contributed significantly to the dissemination of Norse mythology and saga studies. His interdisciplinary achievements in teaching and translation were recognized with honors domestically and abroad.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Association for German Studies
  • Japan Goethe Society
  • Hiroshima Japan-Germany Association
  • Hiroshima German Literature Society
  • Japan Icelandic Studies Association

Trivia

  • Won the Japan Translation Culture Award in 1973 for his translation of the Edda.
  • Received the Order of the Falcon from the Government of Iceland in 1990.
  • Awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure (Gold and Silver Rays) in 2012.
  • Professor Emeritus of Hiroshima University.