Japanese Literary Awards

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Yumi Tsuji

つじ ゆみ

Tsuji Yumi

Profile

Gender
Female
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese, French
Residence History
Japan → France (Paris) — lived for about 8 years

Career

Occupations
Translator, Writer
Active Years
1978-

Education

Tokyo Kyoiku University
Faculty of Science / Department of Biophysics
Degree: 修士（理学）
Country: Japan
Completed master's course; specialized in biophysics.

Awards

Japan Publishing Society Award (15th)
1993
Work: Promenade of Translation History
Organization: Japan Publishing Society
Result: 佳作
Japan Essayist Club Award (44th)
1996
Work: Translators of the World: On the Frontlines of Cross-cultural Contact
Organization: Japan Essayist Club
Result: 受賞
Japan Translation and Publishing Culture Award (32nd)
1996
Work: Translators of the World: On the Frontlines of Cross-cultural Contact
Organization: Japan Translation and Publishing Culture Award
Result: 特別賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Promenade of Translation History

1993 Translation studies / Essay

An essay collection discussing the history and practice of translation, addressing the role of translators and historical contexts.

translation theorycultural exchange

Translators of the World: On the Frontlines of Cross-cultural Contact

1995 Interviews / Essays

Through interviews with translators worldwide, it portrays the practice of translation and cross-cultural encounters.

interviewstranslation practice

The Solar Temple Cult Case

1998 Non-fiction

A reportage on the Solar Temple incident, examining its background and social implications.

religious incidentssocial critique

Let's Play in the Library: Encouraging Intellectual Discovery

1999 Education / Reading

Introduces methods of reading education and intellectual discovery using public libraries.

reading educationlibrary practice

Woman of Fire: The Marchioness du Châtelet — An 18th Century French Scientist's Life

2004 Biography

A biography of Émilie du Châtelet, highlighting scientific history in the 18th century.

history of sciencebiographies of women

City Sandwichman: The Dreams of Lyricist Tetsuo Miyagawa

2005 Biographical essay

A biographical essay tracing the life and works of lyricist Tetsuo Miyagawa.

music historybiographical study

Bibliography

  • Promenade of Translation History (1993)
  • Translators of the World: On the Frontlines of Cross-cultural Contact (1995)
  • The Solar Temple Cult Case (1998)
  • Let's Play in the Library: Encouraging Intellectual Discovery (1999)
  • Story of a Young Grandfather and an Aging Grandchild: Tokyo, Strasbourg, Marseille (2002)
  • Woman of Fire: The Marchioness du Châtelet (2004)
  • City Sandwichman: The Dreams of Lyricist Tetsuo Miyagawa (2005)
  • Reading Education: From Lively Practices in France (2008)

Translations by Author

  • Ecology: Ecology for Survival — translated (Pierre Samuel) (1974)
  • Ecology: Towards Human Recovery — translated (Dominique Simonnet) (1980)
  • The Possible and the Actual: A Biologist's Odyssey — translated (François Jacob) (1989)
  • Tianyi's Tale — translated (François Cheng) (2011)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear, expository non-fiction styleReportorial tone emphasizing interviews and source material
Recurring Motifs
translation and cultural contactlibraries and reading educationhistory of science and biographies

Legacy

Recognized as a translator and writer who actively introduced Francophone literature, thought, and science to Japan, influencing translation culture and reading education.

Trivia

  • She majored in biophysics at Tokyo Kyoiku University and completed a master's course.
  • In her late twenties she moved to France and lived in Paris for about eight years.
  • Studied French at the Alliance française and obtained qualifications including a French teaching license.
  • Began working as a translator in the late 1970s.