Eiko Kadono
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese author of children's literature
, picture books, non-fiction and essays in Shōwa
and Heisei period Japan.
, and attended the Nihon Fukushi University in Aichi prefecture
, followed by a degree in English literature
from Waseda University
.
After graduation in 1960 at the age of 25, she emigrated to Brazil
, where she spent two years. She wrote a nonfiction story called Brazil and My Friend Luizinho based on her experience at that time, about a Brazilian boy who loves dancing samba
. This was her maiden work, but it was not published until 1970.
Most of her works are books for children. Her first successful children's book published Ôdorabô Bula Bula shi [The Robber Bla-Bla] was published in 1981. In 1985, she published the children's novel , which was later adapted into the Hayao Miyazaki
animated film with the same title. Both the novel and the film are known by the English title Kiki's Delivery Service
. The book was awarded the Noma Children’s Literature Award, and she followed on this success with four sequels in the same series.
In Kiki’s Delivery Service, Kiki, a young witch-in-training, and her talking cat
fly away to live in the seaside town of Korico. After starting a delivery service using her broom as the delivery vehicle, Kiki must learn how to deal with life.
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
, picture books, non-fiction and essays in Shōwa
Showa period
The , or Shōwa era, is the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of the Shōwa Emperor, Hirohito, from December 25, 1926 through January 7, 1989.The Shōwa period was longer than the reign of any previous Japanese emperor...
and Heisei period Japan.
Biography
Kadono was born in TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, and attended the Nihon Fukushi University in Aichi prefecture
Aichi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region. The region of Aichi is also known as the Tōkai region. The capital is Nagoya. It is the focus of the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area.- History :...
, followed by a degree in English literature
English literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
from Waseda University
Waseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
.
After graduation in 1960 at the age of 25, she emigrated to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, where she spent two years. She wrote a nonfiction story called Brazil and My Friend Luizinho based on her experience at that time, about a Brazilian boy who loves dancing samba
Samba
Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival...
. This was her maiden work, but it was not published until 1970.
Most of her works are books for children. Her first successful children's book published Ôdorabô Bula Bula shi [The Robber Bla-Bla] was published in 1981. In 1985, she published the children's novel , which was later adapted into the Hayao Miyazaki
Hayao Miyazaki
is a Japanese manga artist and prominent film director and animator of many popular anime feature films. Through a career that has spanned nearly fifty years, Miyazaki has attained international acclaim as a maker of animated feature films and, along with Isao Takahata, co-founded Studio Ghibli,...
animated film with the same title. Both the novel and the film are known by the English title Kiki's Delivery Service
Kiki's Delivery Service
is a 1989 Japanese animated fantasy film produced, written, and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It was the fourth theatrically released Studio Ghibli film.The film won the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize in 1989...
. The book was awarded the Noma Children’s Literature Award, and she followed on this success with four sequels in the same series.
In Kiki’s Delivery Service, Kiki, a young witch-in-training, and her talking cat
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
fly away to live in the seaside town of Korico. After starting a delivery service using her broom as the delivery vehicle, Kiki must learn how to deal with life.