Katsusuke Miyauchi
Encyclopedia
is a noted Japan
ese author and peace activist.
Miyauchi was born in Harbin
to a family originating from Ibusuki. He graduated from Konan High School in Kagoshima Prefecture
. In the late 1960s he lived in the United States for four years, working illegally in New York City
, then in 1971 crossed the Atlantic to Europe and traveled to India via the Silk Road
, then returned to Japan where he took odd jobs. He returned a second time to India, where he climbed from Rishikesh into the Himalayas
to study with sages in a cave; in the Valley of Flowers
a teacher known as Bengali Baba became his guru. Miyauchi subsequently wrote two novels set in India. The first is his novelette Kin'iro no zō , "The Golden Elephant", which concerns a Japanese youth who traveled to India then returned to Japan; it was nominated for the Akutagawa Prize
. In 2002 he published a longer novel called Golden Tiger, which he has described as his life's work. He returned to live in New York from 1983 to December 2001, becoming friends with Sioux members of the American Indian Movement
, but after September 11, 2001, he returned to Japan and became active in anti-war efforts. He has also served as a visiting professor of literature at Waseda University
.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese author and peace activist.
Miyauchi was born in Harbin
Harbin
Harbin ; Manchu language: , Harbin; Russian: Харби́н Kharbin ), is the capital and largest city of Heilongjiang Province in Northeast China, lying on the southern bank of the Songhua River...
to a family originating from Ibusuki. He graduated from Konan High School in Kagoshima Prefecture
Kagoshima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Kagoshima.- Geography :Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southwest tip of Kyushu and includes a chain of islands stretching further to the southwest for a few hundred kilometers...
. In the late 1960s he lived in the United States for four years, working illegally in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, then in 1971 crossed the Atlantic to Europe and traveled to India via the Silk Road
Silk Road
The Silk Road or Silk Route refers to a historical network of interlinking trade routes across the Afro-Eurasian landmass that connected East, South, and Western Asia with the Mediterranean and European world, as well as parts of North and East Africa...
, then returned to Japan where he took odd jobs. He returned a second time to India, where he climbed from Rishikesh into the Himalayas
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
to study with sages in a cave; in the Valley of Flowers
Valley of Flowers
Valley of Flowers National Park is an Indian national park, nestled high in West Himalaya, is renowned for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and outstanding natural beauty. It is located in Uttarakhand state. This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the...
a teacher known as Bengali Baba became his guru. Miyauchi subsequently wrote two novels set in India. The first is his novelette Kin'iro no zō , "The Golden Elephant", which concerns a Japanese youth who traveled to India then returned to Japan; it was nominated for the Akutagawa Prize
Akutagawa Prize
The is a Japanese literary award presented semi-annually. It was established in 1935 by Kan Kikuchi, then-editor of Bungeishunjū magazine, in memory of author Ryūnosuke Akutagawa...
. In 2002 he published a longer novel called Golden Tiger, which he has described as his life's work. He returned to live in New York from 1983 to December 2001, becoming friends with Sioux members of the American Indian Movement
American Indian Movement
The American Indian Movement is a Native American activist organization in the United States, founded in 1968 in Minneapolis, Minnesota by urban Native Americans. The national AIM agenda focuses on spirituality, leadership, and sovereignty...
, but after September 11, 2001, he returned to Japan and became active in anti-war efforts. He has also served as a visiting professor of literature at 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...
.
- 1979: Bungei PrizeBungei PrizeThe is a Japanese literary award given by publishing company Kawade Shobō Shinsha. It was first awarded in 1962.-See also:* List of Japanese literary awards- External links :*...
for Nampū , "South Wind". - 1981: Akutagawa PrizeAkutagawa PrizeThe is a Japanese literary award presented semi-annually. It was established in 1935 by Kan Kikuchi, then-editor of Bungeishunjū magazine, in memory of author Ryūnosuke Akutagawa...
nomination for Kin'iro no zō , "The Golden Elephant". - 1982: Akutagawa PrizeAkutagawa PrizeThe is a Japanese literary award presented semi-annually. It was established in 1935 by Kan Kikuchi, then-editor of Bungeishunjū magazine, in memory of author Ryūnosuke Akutagawa...
nomination for Hi no furu hi , "The Day When it Rains Fire". - 2006: Geijutsu Senshō Prize and Yomiuri PrizeYomiuri PrizeThe is a prestigious literary award in Japan. The prize was founded in 1948 by the Yomiuri Shinbun Company to help form a "cultural nation". The winner is awarded one million Japanese yen and an inkstone.-Award categories:...
for Shōshin , "Immolation".