Kazuo Dan
Encyclopedia
was a noted Japanese
novelist and poet.
, to a family from Kyūshū
. His father's work required frequent changes of residence, so Dan grew up with his grandparents in Yanagawa from age 6 onwards. His parents were divorced when Dan was nine, and he subsequently moved to live with his father in Ashikaga
, Tochigi Prefecture
, where he led a solitary life, walking over hills and fields. In 1928, at age 16, he entered Fukuoka City High School, where he began his literary life by publishing poems, novels and plays in the school magazine. In 1932 he entered the University of Tokyo
from which he received a degree in economics.
After graduation, Dan dedicated himself entirely to writing, and in 1944 won the Noma Prize
while serving as a newspaper war correspondent. Returning to Japan at the end of World War II
, he married his wife Yosoko in Yanagawa. They moved to Tokyo, where he resumed his literary activities and won the prestigious 1950 Naoki Prize
. During his career, he wrote novels and poetry, and traveled extensively in Japan, Europe, the United States, China, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. He lived in Santa Cruz on the seacoast west of Torres Vedras
, Portugal
, from 1971-1972 in a house on a street that now bears his name, Rua Professor Kazuo Dan, Nº 6. After his return to Japan, he retired to Nokonoshima Island, Fukuoka Prefecture
. He died from cancer in the Kyushu University
Hospital.
Dan received the 1975 Yomiuri Prize
for Kataku no hito. There is a monument to Dan's memory in Santa Cruz, and another on Nokonoshima Island. In addition, his poetry is engraved on stone alongside the canals of Yanagawa.
His daughter is the actress Fumi Dan
.
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...
novelist and poet.
Biography
Dan was born in Tanimura, Yamanashi PrefectureYamanashi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Kōfu.-Pre-history to the 14th century:People have been living in the Yamanashi area for about 30,000 years...
, to a family from Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
. His father's work required frequent changes of residence, so Dan grew up with his grandparents in Yanagawa from age 6 onwards. His parents were divorced when Dan was nine, and he subsequently moved to live with his father in Ashikaga
Ashikaga, Tochigi
is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Ashikaga is located north of Tokyo.As of April 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 153,766, with a household number of 59,219, and a density of 864.73 persons per km²...
, Tochigi Prefecture
Tochigi Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Kantō region on the island of Honshū, Japan. The capital is the city of Utsunomiya.Nikkō, whose ancient Shintō shrines and Buddhist temples UNESCO has recognized by naming them a World Heritage Site, is in this prefecture...
, where he led a solitary life, walking over hills and fields. In 1928, at age 16, he entered Fukuoka City High School, where he began his literary life by publishing poems, novels and plays in the school magazine. In 1932 he 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...
from which he received a degree in economics.
After graduation, Dan dedicated himself entirely to writing, and in 1944 won the Noma Prize
Noma Prize
The Noma Prizes were established by Shoichi Noma, or in his honor. More than one award is conventionally identified as the Noma Prize.Noma was the former head of Kodansha, the Japanese publishing and bookselling company...
while serving as a newspaper war correspondent. Returning to Japan at the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he married his wife Yosoko in Yanagawa. They moved to Tokyo, where he resumed his literary activities and won the prestigious 1950 Naoki Prize
Naoki Prize
The Naoki Prize is a Japanese literary award presented semiannually. The official name is Naoki Sanjugo Prize. It was created in 1935 by Kikuchi Kan, then editor of the Bungeishunjū magazine, and named in memory of novelist Naoki Sanjugo...
. During his career, he wrote novels and poetry, and traveled extensively in Japan, Europe, the United States, China, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. He lived in Santa Cruz on the seacoast west of Torres Vedras
Torres Vedras
Torres Vedras is a city and a municipality in the district of Lisbon, Portugal, about 50 km north of Lisbon. It belongs to the Oeste subregion and the Centro region.The municipality covers an area of 405.89 km² distributed over 20 freguesias...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, from 1971-1972 in a house on a street that now bears his name, Rua Professor Kazuo Dan, Nº 6. After his return to Japan, he retired to Nokonoshima Island, Fukuoka Prefecture
Fukuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Fukuoka.- History :Fukuoka Prefecture includes the former provinces of Chikugo, Chikuzen, and Buzen....
. He died from cancer in the Kyushu University
Kyushu University
Kyushu University is one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. It can be seen in the several rankings such as shown below.-General Rankings:The university has been ranked 8th in 2010 and 2009 in the ranking "Truly Strong Universities" by Toyo Keizai...
Hospital.
Dan received the 1975 Yomiuri Prize
Yomiuri Prize
The 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 Kataku no hito. There is a monument to Dan's memory in Santa Cruz, and another on Nokonoshima Island. In addition, his poetry is engraved on stone alongside the canals of Yanagawa.
His daughter is the actress Fumi Dan
Fumi Dan
is a Japanese actress. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 17th Japan Academy Prize for her role in Bloom in the Moonlight...
.