Hiroshi Aramata
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese author, translator, and screenplay writer, as well as a specialist in natural history
and cartography
.
His most popular novel was Teito Monogatari
(Tale of the Capitol), which has sold over 3.5 million copies in Japan alone. He also wrote Alexander Senki, a novel which eventually evolved into the anime
series known as Reign
in the U.S.
. He is currently on the selection committee for the Japan Fantasy Novel Award
.
. After finishing high school, he immediately entered Keio University
in 1966. During his time in college, he was mentored by acclaimed translator Hirai Te'ichii (who was responsible for providing the Japanese translations of the complete works of Lafcadio Hearn
as well as Bram Stoker's Dracula
). In 1969, Aramata contributed the first Japanese translation of H.P. Lovecraft's acclaimed novella The Shadow Out of Time
to Shonen King magazine. He graduated from the university with a degree in law.
After Aramata earned his master's degree, he worked as a full time computer programmer and part time translator. During this period he also participated in contributing information to the Heibonsha World Encyclopedia
. While working on the Encyclopedia, Aramata communicated with anthropologist Komatsu Kazuhiko, who provided Aramata with many sources about the strange and mysterious. Intrigued and excited by the information, Aramata decided that he wanted to write fiction as a way to share such esoteric knowledge with general readers. .
Thus as a small side project, he began writing a novel entitled Teito Monogatari
that would incorporate elements of real occult
phenomena with recognizable history
. When the novel was published in 1985, it became a bestseller
and earned Aramata a great amount of recognition and prestige,. It was at this point, his career as a novelist truly began.
Since then, Aramata's reputation has grown increasingly popular in Japan as a man renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge on various subjects. His works, both fictional and non-fictional, are numerous and span a wide range of topics from the occult
, natural history
, literary criticism
, art criticism
and cartography
. He frequently appears on Japanese TV as a special guest. At some point, he also worked as a professor at Nihon University
.
He is also an admirer of and close friends with manga artist Shigeru Mizuki
. Aramata is one of the producers of the "Oh! Mizuki Shigeru" Exhibition in Tokyo.
In 2003, he was on the selection committee for the 7th Osamu Tezuka
Cultural Prize Awards.
In 2010, he served as General Producer of the 400th anniversary festival of Nagoya.
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
and cartography
Cartography
Cartography is the study and practice of making maps. Combining science, aesthetics, and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality can be modeled in ways that communicate spatial information effectively.The fundamental problems of traditional cartography are to:*Set the map's...
.
His most popular novel was Teito Monogatari
Teito Monogatari
is a massive Japanese historical fantasy epic written by Hiroshi Aramata.-Overview:The story is a retelling of the history of Edo from an occultist perspective. The premise is based on the idea that the curse of Taira no Masakado greatly influenced the city's history from its inception to the...
(Tale of the Capitol), which has sold over 3.5 million copies in Japan alone. He also wrote Alexander Senki, a novel which eventually evolved into the anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series known as Reign
Reign (anime)
, known in English as Reign: The Conqueror, is a Japanese anime first released in 1999. A re-imagination of the life of Alexander the Great based on the novel of the same name by Hiroshi Aramata, the series was produced by international crew that drew from the resources of the worldwide animation...
in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He is currently on the selection committee for the Japan Fantasy Novel Award
Japan Fantasy Novel Award
The is an annual award which began in 1989 and is sponsored by the Yomiuri Shimbun and Shimizu Corporation with the backing of publisher Shinchōsha. The winner gets a contract to have their unpublished work published by Shinchōsha and receives ¥5 million. The contest is open to anyone, whether an...
.
Biography
Hiroshi Aramata 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...
. After finishing high school, he immediately entered Keio University
Keio University
,abbreviated as Keio or Keidai , is a Japanese university located in Minato, Tokyo. It is known as the oldest institute of higher education in Japan. Founder Fukuzawa Yukichi originally established it as a school for Western studies in 1858 in Edo . It has eleven campuses in Tokyo and Kanagawa...
in 1966. During his time in college, he was mentored by acclaimed translator Hirai Te'ichii (who was responsible for providing the Japanese translations of the complete works of Lafcadio Hearn
Lafcadio Hearn
Patrick Lafcadio Hearn , known also by the Japanese name , was an international writer, known best for his books about Japan, especially his collections of Japanese legends and ghost stories, such as Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things...
as well as Bram Stoker's Dracula
Dracula
Dracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker.Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to relocate from Transylvania to England, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor...
). In 1969, Aramata contributed the first Japanese translation of H.P. Lovecraft's acclaimed novella The Shadow Out of Time
The Shadow Out of Time
The Shadow Out of Time is a novella by Americanhorror fiction writer H. P. Lovecraft. Written between November 1934 and February 1935, it was first published in the June 1936 issue of Astounding Stories.-Plot summary:...
to Shonen King magazine. He graduated from the university with a degree in law.
After Aramata earned his master's degree, he worked as a full time computer programmer and part time translator. During this period he also participated in contributing information to the Heibonsha World Encyclopedia
Heibonsha World Encyclopedia
The is one of Japan's two major encyclopedias, the other being the Encyclopedia Nipponica. The World Encyclopedia is widely held to be the most complete and up-to-date encyclopedia in the Japanese language.-Formats:...
. While working on the Encyclopedia, Aramata communicated with anthropologist Komatsu Kazuhiko, who provided Aramata with many sources about the strange and mysterious. Intrigued and excited by the information, Aramata decided that he wanted to write fiction as a way to share such esoteric knowledge with general readers. .
Thus as a small side project, he began writing a novel entitled Teito Monogatari
Teito Monogatari
is a massive Japanese historical fantasy epic written by Hiroshi Aramata.-Overview:The story is a retelling of the history of Edo from an occultist perspective. The premise is based on the idea that the curse of Taira no Masakado greatly influenced the city's history from its inception to the...
that would incorporate elements of real occult
Occult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
phenomena with recognizable history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
. When the novel was published in 1985, it became a bestseller
Bestseller
A bestseller is a book that is identified as extremely popular by its inclusion on lists of currently top selling titles that are based on publishing industry and book trade figures and published by newspapers, magazines, or bookstore chains. Some lists are broken down into classifications and...
and earned Aramata a great amount of recognition and prestige,. It was at this point, his career as a novelist truly began.
Since then, Aramata's reputation has grown increasingly popular in Japan as a man renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge on various subjects. His works, both fictional and non-fictional, are numerous and span a wide range of topics from the occult
Occult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
, natural history
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
, literary criticism
Literary criticism
Literary criticism is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. Modern literary criticism is often informed by literary theory, which is the philosophical discussion of its methods and goals...
, art criticism
Art criticism
Art criticism is the discussion or evaluation of visual art.Art critics usually criticize art in the context of aesthetics or the theory of beauty...
and cartography
Cartography
Cartography is the study and practice of making maps. Combining science, aesthetics, and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality can be modeled in ways that communicate spatial information effectively.The fundamental problems of traditional cartography are to:*Set the map's...
. He frequently appears on Japanese TV as a special guest. At some point, he also worked as a professor at Nihon University
Nihon University
Nihon University is the largest university in Japan. Akiyoshi Yamada, the minister of justice, founded Nihon Law School in October 1889....
.
He is also an admirer of and close friends with manga artist Shigeru Mizuki
Shigeru Mizuki
is a Japanese manga author, most known for his Japanese horror manga GeGeGe no Kitaro . A specialist in stories of yōkai, he is considered a master of the genre...
. Aramata is one of the producers of the "Oh! Mizuki Shigeru" Exhibition in Tokyo.
In 2003, he was on the selection committee for the 7th Osamu Tezuka
Osamu Tezuka
was a Japanese cartoonist, manga artist, animator, producer, activist and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion and Black Jack...
Cultural Prize Awards.
In 2010, he served as General Producer of the 400th anniversary festival of Nagoya.
Works
- Encyclopedia of Fantasy Authors (「世界幻想作家事典 国書刊行会」) (1979)
- Giant Age of Natural History: Dream of Evolution (「大博物学時代―進化と超進化の夢」) (1982) (ISBN 4-87502-090-2)
- History of Creation Paranoia (「パラノイア創造史」) (Chikuma Shobo, November 1985)
- Teito MonogatariTeito Monogatariis a massive Japanese historical fantasy epic written by Hiroshi Aramata.-Overview:The story is a retelling of the history of Edo from an occultist perspective. The premise is based on the idea that the curse of Taira no Masakado greatly influenced the city's history from its inception to the...
(「帝都物語」) (1985--1989) - Birds of the World: as Painted by 19th Century Artists (Crown Publishers, 1989) (ISBN 0517573741)
- English Demon Kingdom--Account of a Trip to the Hometown of Harry PotterHarry PotterHarry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
(「イギリス魔界紀行―ハリーポッターの故郷へ」) (2003) (NHKNHKNHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
Publishing)