Japanese Literary Awards

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The Cabin Company

ザ・キャビンカンパニー

Za Kyabin Kanpanī

Profile

Gender
Unknown
Born
Oita Prefecture, Japan
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Yufu City (atelier in a closed elementary school) → Oita Prefecture

Career

Occupations
picture book authors, artist unit
Active Years
2009-

Education

Oita University
Faculty of Education and Welfare Science
Country: Japan
Both members graduated from Oita University (same cohort).

Awards

7th Japan Children's Picture Award — Runner-up
2013
Work: Bombo and Yaju: The Adventure of a Very Hot Island
Organization: Takei Takeo Memorial / Ilf Children's Picture Museum
Result: 準優秀
20th Japan Picture Book Award — Readers' Prize
2015
Work: Ika-Taro the Giant Squid
Category: 読者賞
Organization: National School Library Association of Japan (Japan Picture Book Award)
Result: 受賞
23rd Japan Picture Book Award — Readers' Prize
2018
Work: Signal Machine Picori
Category: 読者賞
Organization: National School Library Association of Japan (Japan Picture Book Award)
Result: 受賞
28th Japan Picture Book Award
2023
Work: Can't Make It to School
Organization: National School Library Association of Japan (Japan Picture Book Award)
Result: 受賞
4th Picture Book Award to Read with Parents and Children
2023
Work: Can't Make It to School
Organization: Organizing Committee for the Parent-Child Recommended Picture Book Award
Result: 受賞
29th Japan Picture Book Award — Grand Prize
2024
Work: Melting into the Sunset
Category: 大賞
Organization: National School Library Association of Japan (Japan Picture Book Award)
Result: 大賞（受賞）
71st Sankei Children’s Publishing Culture Award — Sankei Shimbun Prize
2024
Work: Melting into the Sunset
Organization: Sankei Shimbun
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Ika-Taro the Giant Squid

2014 picture book

A humorous picture book starring Ika-Taro, a giant squid. Popular for its childlike perspective and broad, playful illustrations.

humorseachildren

It's Night

2014 picture book

A work depicting the time and quiet of night with a distinctive touch. Selected as a recommended library title.

nighttranquilitydaily life

Warm School

2015 picture book

A warm picture book portraying school scenes and children's interactions.

schoolfriendshipeveryday life

Signal Machine Picori

2018 picture book

A unique story themed on a traffic signal. One of the works that received a readers' prize.

everyday systemshumor

Can't Make It to School

2023 picture book

A work depicting adventures on the way to school. It drew attention after winning the 28th Japan Picture Book Award.

adventurecommute to schoolchildren

Melting into the Sunset

2024 picture book

An evocative picture book themed on sunsets. Winner of the 29th Japan Picture Book Award Grand Prize and other honors.

sunsetemotionnature

Bibliography

  • Ika-Taro the Giant Squid
  • It's Night
  • Warm School
  • Professor HATENA's Strange Creature Encyclopedia
  • Hamigaki Awako-chan
  • Ketchup Train
  • Shiro the Sock
  • Signal Machine Picori
  • Can't Make It to School
  • Melting into the Sunset

Adaptations

  • Tour pamphlet artwork for AIMYON 'Kizu to Akuma to Koi wo shita!'
  • Stage art for Yamada Un's 'Obachetta' (performance collaboration)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
simple lines and colorful palettehumorous and approachable expressiondepictions close to a child's perspective
Recurring Motifs
odd creaturesschool and everyday scenessunsets and natural scenery

Legacy

The Cabin Company, a married duo formed by university classmates, is an artist unit notable for its region-rooted creative activities and award-winning picture books. Their works have received readers' awards and the Grand Prize of the Japan Picture Book Award, and they have been recognized for large public installations, stage art, and tour artwork.

Museums

  • Oita Prefectural Art Museum (exhibition collaboration) Oita City, Oita Prefecture (display at JR Oita Station platform)

Academic Societies

  • National School Library Association of Japan

In Popular Culture

  • Provided artwork for AIMYON's tour pamphlet
  • Large installation 'Chimera Boat' at JR Oita Station gained attention on social media

Quotes

  • Their work has attracted attention as creations by a married duo who were university classmates.
    Source: Yomiuri Shimbun Online (award coverage) (2024)

Trivia

  • The unit was formed in 2009 and began activities.
  • Both members are from Oita Prefecture and were reportedly born in 1989.
  • They use a closed elementary school in Yufu City as their atelier.
  • They work not only on picture books but also stage art and tour artwork.