Takumi Shibano
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese science-fiction translator and author. He was a major figure in fandom
in Japan and contributed to establishing the Japanese science fiction genre.
In 1957, he started Japan's first successful science fiction fanzine
, "Cosmic Dust," initially published monthly; many contributors to the fanzine later became pro, including Shin'ichi Hoshi
, Sakyo Komatsu
, Ryu Mitsuse
and Yasutaka Tsutsui
, and formed the first generation of modern Japanese science fiction authors. Shibano was the chair of Japan's first science fiction convention
in 1962, as well as the second (1963), fourth (1965) and sixth (1967). He worked on the formation of the Federation of SF Fan Groups of Japan, founded in 1965, and served as its chair from 1966 through 1970.
After leaving his job as a high-school mathematics teacher in 1977, he became a full-time writer and translator. Under the pen-name , a play on "cosmic ray," he translated as many as sixty science fiction novels from English into Japanese, including E. E. Smith
's Lensman
series and Larry Niven
's Known Space
series.
Also as Rei Kozumi, he wrote three children's books, Superhuman ‘Plus X’ (1969), Operation Moonjet (1969), and Revolt in North Pole City (1977), and was also principal author of The World of Popular Literature (1978).
In 1968 a fan fund paid for him to attend Worldcon
for the first time, and after 1979 he attended most of the Worldcons and served as the presenter of the Seiun Award
. He received the E. E. Evans Big Heart Award in 1986 and a Worldcon Special Award at the 51st World Science Fiction Convention
in 1993. He was the Fan Guest of Honor of the 54th World Science Fiction Convention
in 1996 and the 65th World Science Fiction Convention
in 2007.
Fandom
Fandom is a term used to refer to a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of sympathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest...
in Japan and contributed to establishing the Japanese science fiction genre.
In 1957, he started Japan's first successful science fiction fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
, "Cosmic Dust," initially published monthly; many contributors to the fanzine later became pro, including Shin'ichi Hoshi
Shinichi Hoshi
Shinichi Hoshi was a Japanese novelist and science fiction writer. He is best known for his "short-short" science fiction stories, often no more than three or four pages in length, of which he wrote over 1000...
, Sakyo Komatsu
Sakyo Komatsu
was a Japanese science fiction writer and screenwriter. He was one of the most well known and highly regarded science fiction writers in Japan.-Early life:...
, Ryu Mitsuse
Ryu Mitsuse
is a Japanese science fiction writer. In the West he might be best known for manga-related works and the story The Sunset, 2217 A.D. which appeared in Frederik Pohl's Best Science Fiction for 1972.- Biography :...
and Yasutaka Tsutsui
Yasutaka Tsutsui
is a Japanese novelist, science fiction author, and actor. Along with Shinichi Hoshi and Sakyo Komatsu, he is one of the most famous science fiction writers in Japan. His Yumenokizaka bunkiten won the Tanizaki Prize in 1987. He has also won the 1981 Izumi Kyoka award, the 1989 Kawabata Yasunari...
, and formed the first generation of modern Japanese science fiction authors. Shibano was the chair of Japan's first science fiction convention
Nihon SF Taikai
The is an annual science fiction convention held in Japan. Each of these conventions is officially the , but they are more popularly known by the official nicknames given to them based on their locations, e.g. TOKON or DAICON .Each year the Nihon SF Taikai attracts between 1,000 and 1,500 science...
in 1962, as well as the second (1963), fourth (1965) and sixth (1967). He worked on the formation of the Federation of SF Fan Groups of Japan, founded in 1965, and served as its chair from 1966 through 1970.
After leaving his job as a high-school mathematics teacher in 1977, he became a full-time writer and translator. Under the pen-name , a play on "cosmic ray," he translated as many as sixty science fiction novels from English into Japanese, including E. E. Smith
E. E. Smith
Edward Elmer Smith, Ph.D., also, E. E. Smith, E. E. "Doc" Smith, Doc Smith, "Skylark" Smith, and Ted was a food engineer and early science fiction author who wrote the Lensman series and the Skylark series, among others...
's Lensman
Lensman
The Lensman series is a serial science fiction space opera by Edward Elmer "Doc" Smith. It was a runner-up for the Hugo award for best All-Time Series ....
series and Larry Niven
Larry Niven
Laurence van Cott Niven / ˈlæri ˈnɪvən/ is an American science fiction author. His best-known work is Ringworld , which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics...
's Known Space
Known Space
Known Space is the fictional setting of some dozen science fiction novels and several collections of short stories written by author Larry Niven. It has also in part been used as a shared universe in the Man-Kzin Wars spin-off anthologies sub-series....
series.
Also as Rei Kozumi, he wrote three children's books, Superhuman ‘Plus X’ (1969), Operation Moonjet (1969), and Revolt in North Pole City (1977), and was also principal author of The World of Popular Literature (1978).
In 1968 a fan fund paid for him to attend Worldcon
Worldcon
Worldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
for the first time, and after 1979 he attended most of the Worldcons and served as the presenter of the Seiun Award
Seiun Award
The is a Japanese science fiction award for the best science fiction published in Japan during the preceding year, as voted by attendees of the Japan Science Fiction Convention. "Seiun" is the Japanese word for "nebula", but the award is not related to the American Nebula Award. It was named after...
. He received the E. E. Evans Big Heart Award in 1986 and a Worldcon Special Award at the 51st World Science Fiction Convention
51st World Science Fiction Convention
The 51st World Science Fiction Convention , also known as ConFrancisco, was held September 2–6, 1993, at the ANA Hotel, Parc Fifty Five, and Nikko Hotels, and the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California, USA....
in 1993. He was the Fan Guest of Honor of the 54th World Science Fiction Convention
54th World Science Fiction Convention
The 54th World Science Fiction Convention , also known as L.A.con III, was held 29 August – 2 September 1996 at the Anaheim Hilton, Anaheim Marriott, and the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, USA.The chairman was Mike Glyer....
in 1996 and the 65th World Science Fiction Convention
65th World Science Fiction Convention
Nippon 2007, the 65th World Science Fiction Convention and the 46th Annual Nihon SF Taikai, was held in Yokohama, Japan from 30 August - 3 September 2007, at the Pacifico Yokohama Convention Center and adjoining hotels. The organising committee was chaired by Hiroaki Inoue...
in 2007.