Shugoro Yamamoto (1903-1967), was not just a respected author of novels and short stories, and one of multiple pen names used by Satomu Shimizu, he was a key creative collaborator of Japan’s most famous filmmaker, Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998), who also loved and valued reading.
Shimizu inspired many, not just Kurosawa who adapted his works for film, but others such as Takeshi Miike, famous internationally for his film Audition, and who adapted Yamamoto’s 1963 book Sabu for film.
Ironically, despites refusing to accept any of the literary awards he won during his lifetime, including the Naoki Prize, one of Japan’s most prestigious, he has a literary award named after him, the Yamamoto Shugoro Prize, launched in 1988.
It is awarded annually for new works of fiction exemplifying the art of storytelling. Past winners have included Banana Yoshimoto for Tugumi and Kazufumi Shiraishi for Remove That Arrow from Deep in My Heart.
Shugoro Yamamoto who refused to accept any literary prizes while alive ironically had one named after him after his death
[UPDATED: 9-3-2026]
© Red Circle Authors Limited
Shugoro Yamamoto who refused to accept any literary prizes while alive ironically had one named after him after his death
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