[Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha Co., Ltd.] “Kino Kuni Fudoki” (by Noboru Kiuchi) wins the 53rd Izumi Kyoka Literary Prize! Jitsugyo no Nihonsha Co., Ltd. Press Release: October 17, 2025 “Kino Kuni Fudoki” (by Noboru Kiuchi) wins the 53rd Izumi Kyoka Literary Prize!
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https://www.city.kanazawa.ishikawa.jp/bungaku/izumi.html “Kinokuni Fudoki” Book Details Page:
https://www.j-n.co.jp/books/978-4-408-53881-5/ The Izumi Kyoka Literary Award, sponsored by Kanazawa City, is the first local government-sponsored literary award in Japan. It is awarded to works that exude a romanticism that is in keeping with the literary world of Izumi Kyoka. On receiving the award, Kiuchi shared a message of joy. “I feel as though I myself was saved during the writing process, as I attempted to view herbal medicine (plants) through the eyes of Kusada Suizan. I am beyond delighted that this work received the prestigious Izumi Kyoka Literary Award. I would like to express my gratitude to mayamaxx for the cover illustration, Sakurai Hisashi for the design, and my editor.” [Work Introduction] A young herbalist’s encounter with mysterious creatures Jubei (later known as Kuroda Suizan, a botanist), the son of a feudal lord from Kishu (present-day Wakayama Prefecture), has been able to converse freely with flowers and plants since childhood, but has difficulty communicating with people. One day, while out in the mountains collecting flowers and plants, he encounters a Tengu (long-nosed goblin), and strange events begin to occur one after another around him… Based on a real-life botanist, this historical fantasy tale depicts the warm interactions and growth of Jubei with living creatures, his family, and his mentor. [About the Izumi Kyoka Literary Award] Established in 1973, the Izumi Kyoka Literary Award is sponsored by Kanazawa City and is the first national literary award sponsored by a local government. This award was established to honor the achievements of Izumi Kyoka, who was born in Kanazawa and made a great contribution to modern Japanese literature. It also aims to raise awareness of the climate and traditions of Kanazawa, which nurtured Kyoka’s literature, and to promote the blossoming of a rich regional culture through literature. August 1st of each year is the base date, and literary works published in the previous year (novels, plays, etc., limited to hardcover books; for the 53rd award, works published between August 1st, 2024 and July 31st, 2025) are eligible. The award is open to works that exude a romanticism reminiscent of Izumi Kyoka’s literary world. The selection process involves citizen participation, with nominees selected through recommendations by recommenders and a selection committee. (Judges: Hiroyuki Itsuki, Kiyoko Murata, Tomomi Muramatsu, Mitsusaburo Arashiyama, Eimi Yamada, Risa Wataya (in no particular order, titles omitted))
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/10667/110/10667-110-25cd45693682c4dd32419afe234e0724-970×600.jpg 【Book Information】 “Kinokuni Fudoki” Publication Date: May 29, 2025 ・Price: ¥2,200 (tax included) ・Format: 46-size hardcover ・Number of pages: 328 pages ・Book details page:
https://www.j-n.co.jp/books/978-4-408-53881-5/ ・E-book: Available [Author profile]
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/10667/110/10667-110-b84ae2e697b04f43e90b4f9e58e341fe-1000×799.jpg Born in 1967 in Tokyo. After working at a publishing company, he made his debut as a novelist in 2004 with “Shinsengumi: Bakumatsu no Seiran.” In 2009, he received the Encouragement Prize from Waseda University’s Tsubouchi Shoyo Award. In 2011, he won the Naoki Prize for “Singing of the Drifting Sand.” In 2014, he won the Chuokoron Literary Prize, Shibata Renzaburo Prize, and Shinran Prize for “Kushibiki Domori.” In 2025, he won the Nakayama Yoshihide Literary Prize for “Snow Dreams Passing Through the Night.” He has also won numerous literary awards, including “The Cat of Myogadani” and “Three Years of Laughter, Three Months of Crying.” He has written many books, including “A Certain Man,” “Yokomachi Anecdotes,” “The Man of Light and Flame (Vol. 1 and 2),” “Kyudo Koi Koi,” “Monster Candle,” “Flying Through the Ten Thousand Waves,” “Blooming in the Fire Shadow,” “Fortune Telling,” “Strong Heart,” “Katabami,” and “Soujuro’s Floating World.” About Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha Co., Ltd. Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha is a publishing company that began in June 1897 (Meiji 30) as the 19th century was about to give way to the 20th century, with the launch of the economic magazine “Jitsugyo no Nihon.” Today, as a general publisher, we handle a wide range of genres, including magazines, general books, practical books, literary works, and comics. 【Company Profile】 Company name: Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha Co., Ltd. (official company name is Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha) Established: June 10, 1897 Head office location: 6-6-22 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo emergence 2 Representative: Yuichi Iwano, Representative Director and President For more information, please visit our website
(https://www.j-n.co.jp/).