Akutagawa Prize · 2023 · Winner
Akutagawa Prize
2023 Winner
Complete History
About the Akutagawa Prize
The Akutagawa Prize is Japan's most prestigious literary award for emerging fiction writers, awarded twice annually by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Literature (administered by the publisher Bungei Shunju). Named after the celebrated author Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, it was established in 1935 alongside the Naoki Prize, its companion award for popular fiction. The prize recognizes the best work of pure literature (junbungaku) published in a general magazine or newspaper during the preceding six months, making it effectively a biannual prize with sessions in January (covering works from July–December) and July (covering works from January–June). A win catapults relatively unknown writers to nationwide fame almost overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (1892–1927) was one of Japan's most important modern writers, known for masterpieces such as 'Rashōmon' and 'In a Grove.' He died by suicide at 35. The prize was established by his friend and publisher Kan Kikuchi to honor his legacy.
- The prize is awarded twice per year: once in January (for works published July–December of the prior year) and once in July (for works published January–June of the current year). It is therefore sometimes described as a biannual prize.
- The prize is awarded to the best work of 'pure literature' (junbungaku) — short stories or novellas — published in a Japanese magazine or newspaper in the preceding six months. Books published independently are generally not eligible.
- The prize is specifically aimed at new and emerging Japanese writers. Established authors with multiple publications are not eligible; the Naoki Prize, which runs concurrently, covers popular fiction by more established authors.
- Winners receive a commemorative watch and a small cash stipend. The monetary value is nominal; the true prize is the nationwide recognition and the immediate commercial impact on the winner's work.
- Yes. It is not uncommon for the jury to decide that no work merits the prize in a given session, in which case the prize is withheld. This has happened multiple times in the prize's history.
- A jury of established Japanese novelists, typically five to seven members, reads the nominated works and votes by written ballot. Deliberations are held in Tokyo; the jury's discussion is published in full in the literary journal Bungakukai.
- The two prizes are announced simultaneously and administered by the same organization. The Akutagawa Prize targets serious literary fiction by new writers; the Naoki Prize honors popular fiction and entertainment by more established writers.
- The prize is open to works published in Japanese, not restricted to Japanese citizens. Non-Japanese writers who publish in Japanese have been nominated and won, such as Yang Yi, a Chinese-born author writing in Japanese.
- Winning the Akutagawa Prize is transformative commercially. Winning titles routinely sell hundreds of thousands of copies within weeks of the announcement, and winners often become major figures in Japanese literature overnight.