Yasutaka Tsutsui
Encyclopedia
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 award, and the 1992 Nihon SF Taisho Award
. In 1997, he was decorated as a Chevalier Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
by the French government.
His work is known for its dark humour and satirical content. He has often satirized Japanese taboos such as disabilities
and the Tenno
system, and has been victim to much criticism as a result. From 1993 to 1996, he went on a writing-strike to protest the excessive, self-imposed restraint of Japanese publishers.
One of his first novels, Toki o Kakeru Shōjo
(1967), has been adapted into numerous media including film, television and manga. Another novel, Paprika
(1993), was adapted into an animated film by the director Satoshi Kon in 2006.
Salmonella Men on Planet Porno
, a collection of Tsutsui's short stories translated by Andrew Driver, was published by Alma Books (UK) in October 2006 and again by Pantheon Books (USA) in 2008.
Tsutsui's novel Hell, translated by Evan Emswiler, was published by Alma Books in October 2007.
The novel Paprika
, translated by Andrew Driver, was published by Alma Books in April 2009.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
author, and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. Along with Shinichi 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...
and 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:...
, he is one of the most famous science fiction writers in Japan. His Yumenokizaka bunkiten 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...
in 1987. He has also won the 1981 Izumi Kyoka award, the 1989 Kawabata Yasunari award, and the 1992 Nihon SF Taisho Award
Nihon SF Taisho Award
Nihon SF Taishō Award is a Japanese science fiction award. It has been compared to the Nebula Award as it is given by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan or SFWJ...
. In 1997, he was decorated as a Chevalier Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an Order of France, established on 2 May 1957 by the Minister of Culture, and confirmed as part of the Ordre national du Mérite by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963...
by the French government.
His work is known for its dark humour and satirical content. He has often satirized Japanese taboos such as disabilities
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
and the Tenno
Emperor of Japan
The Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...
system, and has been victim to much criticism as a result. From 1993 to 1996, he went on a writing-strike to protest the excessive, self-imposed restraint of Japanese publishers.
One of his first novels, Toki o Kakeru Shōjo
Toki o Kakeru Shojo
is a soft science fiction novel by Japanese writer and actor Yasutaka Tsutsui which tells the story of Kazuko Yoshiyama, a schoolgirl who accidentally acquires the ability to time travel...
(1967), has been adapted into numerous media including film, television and manga. Another novel, Paprika
Paprika (novel)
is a 1993 novel written by Yasutaka Tsutsui. It first appeared in Marie Claire in four parts, each appearing chronologically in the January 1991, March 1992, August 1992, and June 1993 issues. A manga adaption of the novel was created by Reiji Hagiwara in 1995 but was not published until 2003...
(1993), was adapted into an animated film by the director Satoshi Kon in 2006.
Salmonella Men on Planet Porno
Salmonella Men on Planet Porno
Salmonella Men on Planet Porno is a collection of short stories by Japanese sci-fi and metafiction writer Yasutaka Tsutsui in English translation by Andrew Driver...
, a collection of Tsutsui's short stories translated by Andrew Driver, was published by Alma Books (UK) in October 2006 and again by Pantheon Books (USA) in 2008.
Tsutsui's novel Hell, translated by Evan Emswiler, was published by Alma Books in October 2007.
The novel Paprika
Paprika (novel)
is a 1993 novel written by Yasutaka Tsutsui. It first appeared in Marie Claire in four parts, each appearing chronologically in the January 1991, March 1992, August 1992, and June 1993 issues. A manga adaption of the novel was created by Reiji Hagiwara in 1995 but was not published until 2003...
, translated by Andrew Driver, was published by Alma Books in April 2009.
Works
Besides numerous film and TV acting credits, Yasutaka Tsutsui has published dozens of novels and short story collections in Japan.Novels
- 48億の妄想 48 Oku no Mōsō (4.8 Billion Delusions) (1965)
- 馬の首風雲録 Umanokubi Fuunroku (Chronicle of the Horse’s Head Crisis) (1967)
- 時をかける少女 Toki o Kakeru ShōjoToki o Kakeru Shojois a soft science fiction novel by Japanese writer and actor Yasutaka Tsutsui which tells the story of Kazuko Yoshiyama, a schoolgirl who accidentally acquires the ability to time travel...
(The Girl Who Leapt Through Time) (1967) - 霊長類、南へ Reichōrui, Minami-e (1969)
- 脱走と追跡のサンバ Dassō to Tsuiseki no Samba (Samba of Running and Chasing) (1971)
- 俗物図鑑 Zokubutsu Zukan (Picture Book of Vulgarity) (1972)
- 家族八景 Kazoku Hakkei (Eight Family Scenes/What The Maid Saw) (1972)
- 男たちのかいた絵 Otoko Tachi no Kaita E (Tale of Two Men) (1974)
- 俺の血は他人の血 Ore no Chi wa Tanin no Chi (My Blood is the Blood of Another) (1974)
- 七瀬ふたたび Nanase Futatabi (Nanase Once More) (1975)
- エディプスの恋人 Edipusu no Koibito (Oedipus’ Lover) (1977)
- 富豪刑事 Fugō Keiji (Millionaire Detective) (1978)
- 大いなる助走 Oi Naru Josō (The Great Approachway) (1979)
- 虚人たち Kyojin Tachi (Virtual Men) (1981)
- 虚航船団 Kyokō Sendan (Fleet of Fantasy) (1984)
- イリヤ・ムウロメツ Ilya Muromets (1985)
- 旅のラゴス Tabi no Ragosu (Lagos on a Journey) (1986)
- 歌と饒舌の戦記 Uta to Jōzetsu no Senki (War Chronicles of Song and Loquacity) (1987)
- 夢の木坂分岐点 Yumenokizaka Bunkiten (Dreamtree Hill Junction) (1987)
- 驚愕の広野 Kyōgaku no Kōya (Prairie of Astonishment) (1988)
- フェミニズム殺人事件 Feminizumu Satsujin Jiken (The Feminism Murders) (1989)
- 残像に口紅を Zanzō ni Kuchibeni o (Lipstick on an After-Image) (1989)
- 文学部唯野教授 Bungakubu Tadano Kyōju (Prof. Tadano of the Literature Department) (1990)
- ロートレック荘事件 Rōtorekku-Sō Jiken (The Lautrec Villa Murders) (1990)
- 朝のガスパール Asa no Gasupāru (Gaspard in the Morning) (1992)
- パプリカ PaprikaPaprika (novel)is a 1993 novel written by Yasutaka Tsutsui. It first appeared in Marie Claire in four parts, each appearing chronologically in the January 1991, March 1992, August 1992, and June 1993 issues. A manga adaption of the novel was created by Reiji Hagiwara in 1995 but was not published until 2003...
(1993) - 邪眼鳥 Jaganchō (1997)
- 敵 Teki (Enemy) (1998)
- わたしのグランパ Watashi no Guranpa (My Grandpa) (1999)
- 恐怖 Kyōfu (Fear) (2001)
- ヘル Hell (2003)
- 銀齢の果て Ginrei no Hate (End of the Silver Age) (2006)
- 巨船べラスレトラス Kyosen Berasu Retorasu (The Big Ship Bellas Letras) (2007)
- ダンシング・ヴァニティ Dancing Vanity (2008)
Short stories (collections)
- 東海道戦争 Tōkaidō Sensō (The Tōkaidō War) (1965)
- ベトナム観光公社 Betonamu Kankō Kōsha (Vietnam Tourist Bureau) (1967)
- アルファルファ作戦 Arufarufa Sakusen (The Alfalfa Strategy) (1968)
- 幻想の未来・アフリカの血 Gensō no Mirai/Afurika no Chi (Fantasy Future/African Blood) (1968)
- にぎやかな未来 Nigiyaka na Mirai (A Bright Future) (1968)
- アフリカの爆弾 Afurika no Bakudan (African Bomb) (1968)
- 筒井順慶 Tsutsui Junkei (1969)
- わが良き狼 Waga Yoki Ōkami (My Good Old Wolf) (1969)
- 心狸学・社怪学 Shinrigaku, Shakaigaku (Psychology, Sociology) (1969)
- ホンキイ・トンク Honky Tonk (1969)
- 母子像 Boshizō (Mother and Child Portrait) (1970)
- 馬は土曜に蒼ざめる Uma wa Doyō ni Aozameru (Horses Turn Pale on Saturdays) (1970)
- 日本列島七曲り Nihon Rettō Nanamagari (Eight Bends on the Japanese Archipelago) (1971)
- 将軍が目覚めた時 Shōgun ga Mezameta Toki (When the Shogun Awoke) (1972)
- 農協月へ行く Nōkyō Tsuki-e Iku (Co-op Goes To The Moon) (1973)
- おれに関する噂 Ore-ni Kansuru Uwasa (Rumours About Me) (1974)
- ウィークエンドシャフル Weekend Shuffle (1974)
- 笑うな Warau-na (Don’t Laugh) (1975)
- メタモルフォセス群島 Metamorufosesu Guntō (Metamorphosis Archipelago) (1976)
- バブリング創世記 Baburingu Sōseiki (Babbling Creation Chronicles) (1978)
- 宇宙衛生博覧会 Uchū Eisei Hakurankai (Universal Hygiene Expo) (1979)
- エロチック街道 Erochikku Kaidō (Erotic Avenue) (1981)
- 串刺し教授 Kushizashi Kyōju (Professor on a Skewer) (1985)
- くたばれPTA Kutabare PTA (Go To Hell, PTA) (1986)
- お助け Otasuke (The Helper) (1986)
- 原始人 Genshijin (Primitive Man) (1987)
- 薬菜飯店 Yakusai Hanten (Yakusai Chinese Restaurant) (1988)
- 夜のコント・冬のコント Yoru no Konto, Fuyu no Konto (Night Tales, Winter Tales) (1990)
- 最後の伝令 Saigo no Denrei (The Last Despatch) (1993)
- 鍵 Kagi (The Key) (1994)
- 座敷ぼっこ Zashiki Bokko (1994)
- 家族場面 Kazoku Bamen (Family Scenes) (1995)
- 魚藍観音記 Gyoran Kannon Ki (Records of the Gyoran Kannon) (2000)
- エンガッツィオ司令塔 Engattsio Shireitō (Engazzio Command Tower) (2000)
- 最後の喫煙者 Saigo no Kitsuensha The Last SmokerThe Last SmokerThe Last Smoker is a 1987 short story by Yasutaka Tsutsui that has been adapted for both television and radio. An English translation by Andrew Driver was published in the collection Salmonella Men on Planet Porno in 2008....
(2002) - 睡魔のいる夏 Suima no Iru Natsu (Summer When the Sleep Fairy Comes) (2002)
- 傾いた世界 Katamuita Sekai (The World is Tilting) (2002)
- 懲戒の部屋 Chōkai no Heya (The Punishment Room) (2002)
- 日本以外全部沈没 Nihon Igai Zembu Chinbotsu (The End of the World Except Japan) (2002)
- 怪物たちの夜 Kaibutsu Tachi no Yoru (Night of the Phantoms) (2002)
- 近所迷惑 Kinjo Meiwaku (Disturbing the Neighbours) (2002)
- わが愛の税務署 Waga Ai no Zeimusho (My Beloved Tax Office) (2003)
- カメロイド文部省 Kameroido Monbushō (The Cameroid Ministry of Education) (2003)
- ポルノ惑星のサルモネラ人間 Poruno Wakusei no Sarumonera Ningen (Salmonella Men on Planet PornoSalmonella Men on Planet PornoSalmonella Men on Planet Porno is a collection of short stories by Japanese sci-fi and metafiction writer Yasutaka Tsutsui in English translation by Andrew Driver...
) (2005)