Japanese Literary Awards

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Nakayama Gishu Literary Award なかやまぎしゅうぶんがくしょう

Edition 23 (2017)

Historical novelsPeriod novels

Winners

3 people

A historical novel about Unkei, the Buddhist sculptor who left works including the guardian statues of Todaiji's Great South Gate. Set amid the Genpei conflict and the reconstruction of Todaiji, it follows the ambition and creativity of a genius while asking what beauty, work, and faith mean.

From within a sculptor who lives only to carve, a new beauty rises.

364 pages
historical fictionUnkeiBuddhist artcreation
Shun Hayami nominee

A historical novel set in Gifu that portrays Oda Nobunaga not only as a military leader but also as a figure drawn to culture such as rakugo and cormorant fishing. It layers human warmth and political vision onto the familiar image of Nobunaga as a destroyer.

In the midst of war, the conqueror also turned his eyes toward culture and the hearts of people.

512 pages
historical fictionOda NobunagaGifuculture

A collection of historical stories about commanders such as Kuroda Josui, Sanada Masayuki, and Mogami Yoshiaki, who staked pride and ambition outside the main battlefield of Sekigahara. Moving beyond a simple Eastern Army versus Western Army frame, it reveals each warrior's own Sekigahara.

The battle that divided the realm was not fought only on the field of Sekigahara.

249 pages
historical storiesSekigaharaSengoku commanderspride