Muramatsu Tomomi
Encyclopedia
is a novelist in late Showa period
and Heisei period Japan
.
, but was raised in Shimizu, Shizuoka
. His grandfather was the noted writer Muramatsu Shofu
, and both his father and his mother worked for the literary magazine
Chūōkōron
. Muramatsu Tomomi attended Keio University
's Literature Department, and on graduation went to work for Chūōkōron himself as an editor. On the early death of his father, he was adopted by his grandfather, Muramatsu Shofu, as his legal heir.
His first published work, a collection of essays, Watashi puroresu no kyomi desu ("I am a Professional Wrestling Fan"), published in 1980, was a best seller and established him as a mainstream writer. As the name implied, Muramatsu is a great fan of professional wrestling
, and has written a number of novels with wrestling as a theme. His Semi-finaru ("Semi-Final") was nominated for the prestigious Naoki Prize
.
In 1982, his novel Jidaiya no nyobo ("The Wife of Jidaiya") was awarded the Naoki Prize, and was later made into a movie.
In 1997, his novel Kamakura no Obasan ("Auntie of Kamakura") was awarded the Izumi Kyoka Prize.
After Muramatsu appeared on television commercials for Suntory
whiskey, and his line of “One Finger – Two Fingers” became a popular phrase in Japanese bars.
Showa period
The , or Shōwa era, is the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of the Shōwa Emperor, Hirohito, from December 25, 1926 through January 7, 1989.The Shōwa period was longer than the reign of any previous Japanese emperor...
and Heisei period Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Biography
Muramatsu was born in TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, but was raised in Shimizu, Shizuoka
Shimizu, Shizuoka
is a town located in Suntō District, Shizuoka, Japan. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of 32,205and a density of 3,640 persons per km². The total area is 8.84 km².-Geography:...
. His grandfather was the noted writer Muramatsu Shofu
Muramatsu Shofu
' was the pen-name of Muramatsu Giichi, a Japanese novelist active during the Showa period of Japan.-Early life:...
, and both his father and his mother worked for the literary magazine
Literary magazine
A literary magazine is a periodical devoted to literature in a broad sense. Literary magazines usually publish short stories, poetry and essays along with literary criticism, book reviews, biographical profiles of authors, interviews and letters...
Chūōkōron
Chuokoron
is a monthly Japanese literary magazine is a monthly Japanese literary magazine is a monthly Japanese literary magazine is a monthly Japanese literary magazine is a monthly Japanese literary magazine is a monthly Japanese literary magazine is a monthly Japanese literary magazine is a monthly...
. Muramatsu Tomomi attended Keio University
Keio University
,abbreviated as Keio or Keidai , is a Japanese university located in Minato, Tokyo. It is known as the oldest institute of higher education in Japan. Founder Fukuzawa Yukichi originally established it as a school for Western studies in 1858 in Edo . It has eleven campuses in Tokyo and Kanagawa...
's Literature Department, and on graduation went to work for Chūōkōron himself as an editor. On the early death of his father, he was adopted by his grandfather, Muramatsu Shofu, as his legal heir.
His first published work, a collection of essays, Watashi puroresu no kyomi desu ("I am a Professional Wrestling Fan"), published in 1980, was a best seller and established him as a mainstream writer. As the name implied, Muramatsu is a great fan of professional wrestling
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
, and has written a number of novels with wrestling as a theme. His Semi-finaru ("Semi-Final") was nominated for the prestigious 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...
.
In 1982, his novel Jidaiya no nyobo ("The Wife of Jidaiya") was awarded the Naoki Prize, and was later made into a movie.
In 1997, his novel Kamakura no Obasan ("Auntie of Kamakura") was awarded the Izumi Kyoka Prize.
After Muramatsu appeared on television commercials for Suntory
Suntory
is a Japanese brewing and distilling company group. Established in 1899, it is one of the oldest companies in the distribution of alcoholic beverages in Japan. Its business has expanded to other fields, and the company now offers everything from soft drinks to sandwich chains...
whiskey, and his line of “One Finger – Two Fingers” became a popular phrase in Japanese bars.