Maruya Saiichi
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese
author
and literary critic
.
, then in 1947 entered the University of Tokyo
to major in English literature. There he discovered James Joyce
whose works became deeply influential in his writing. After completing his degree, he taught English literature at Kokugakuin University
and then at the University of Tokyo
. During this time he wrote a series of novels including Ehoba No kao O sakete (エホバ の 顔 を さけて, 1958), Kanata E (彼方 へ, 1962), and Sasamakura (笹まくら, Grass for My Pillow, 1966). He translated Joyce's Ulysses in collaboration with Takamatsu Yūichi and Nagai Reiji (1964), and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
in 1969.
In 1968 Maruya won the Akutagawa Prize
for Toshi No nokori (年 の 残り, The Rest of the Year). In 1972 he published Tatta hitori No hanran (たった ひとり の 反乱, Singular Rebellion), one of his finest works, for which he won the Tanizaki Prize
.
His criticism and essays include Go-Toba In (後鳥羽 院, The Retired Emperor Go-Toba, 1973), Nihon bungakushi hayawakari (日本 文学史 早わかり, A Quick Guide to Japanese Literary History, 1976), Asobi jikan (遊び 時間, Play Time, 1976) and Chūshingura to wa nani ka (忠臣蔵 と は 何 か, What Is the Chūshingura
?, 1984).
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and literary critic
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...
.
Biography
Maruya was mobilized into the Japanese Army in 1945 when still a high-school student. After the war's end, he completed his high school studies in NiigataNiigata, Niigata
is the capital and the most populous city of Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It lies on the northwest coast of Honshu, the largest island of Japan, and faces the Sea of Japan and Sado Island....
, then in 1947 entered the University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
to major in English literature. There he discovered James Joyce
James Joyce
James Augustine Aloysius Joyce was an Irish novelist and poet, considered to be one of the most influential writers in the modernist avant-garde of the early 20th century...
whose works became deeply influential in his writing. After completing his degree, he taught English literature at Kokugakuin University
Kokugakuin University
Kokugakuin University is a private university, whose main office is located in Tokyo's Shibuya district...
and then at the University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
. During this time he wrote a series of novels including Ehoba No kao O sakete (エホバ の 顔 を さけて, 1958), Kanata E (彼方 へ, 1962), and Sasamakura (笹まくら, Grass for My Pillow, 1966). He translated Joyce's Ulysses in collaboration with Takamatsu Yūichi and Nagai Reiji (1964), and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is a semi-autobiographical novel by James Joyce, first serialised in the magazine The Egoist from 1914 to 1915, and published first in book format in 1916 by B. W. Huebsch, New York. The first English edition was published by the Egoist Press in February 1917...
in 1969.
In 1968 Maruya won 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...
for Toshi No nokori (年 の 残り, The Rest of the Year). In 1972 he published Tatta hitori No hanran (たった ひとり の 反乱, Singular Rebellion), one of his finest works, for which he won the Tanizaki Prize
Tanizaki Prize
The Tanizaki Prize , named in honor of the Japanese novelist Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, is one of Japan's most sought-after literary awards. It was established in 1965 by the publishing company Chūō Kōronsha Inc. to commemorate its 80th anniversary as a publisher...
.
His criticism and essays include Go-Toba In (後鳥羽 院, The Retired Emperor Go-Toba, 1973), Nihon bungakushi hayawakari (日本 文学史 早わかり, A Quick Guide to Japanese Literary History, 1976), Asobi jikan (遊び 時間, Play Time, 1976) and Chūshingura to wa nani ka (忠臣蔵 と は 何 か, What Is the Chūshingura
Chushingura
is the name for fictionalized accounts of the historical revenge by the Forty-seven Ronin of the death of their master, Asano Naganori. Including the early , the story has been told in kabuki, bunraku, stage plays, films, novels, television shows and other media...
?, 1984).
Selected works in translation
- Singular Rebellion, trans. Dennis Keene, Kodansha America, 1990, ISBN 0-87011-989-3.
- Rain in the Wind: Four Stories, trans. Dennis Keene, Kodansha International, 1992, ISBN 4-7700-1558-5.
- A Mature Woman, trans. Dennis Keene, Kodansha International, 1997, ISBN 4-7700-2183-6.
- Grass For My Pillow, trans. Dennis Keene, Columbia University Press, 2002, ISBN 0-231-12658-1.