Kobo Abe (安部公房 Abe Kōbō?), pseudonym of Kimifusa Abe (Abe Kimifusa, March 7, 1924 - January 22, 1993) was a Japanese writer, playwright, photographer and inventor. A pseudonym is a fictitious alternative to a person's legal name (see Alias) Events 161 - Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 565 - Eutychius is deposed as Patriarch of Constantinople by John Scholasticus. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) This is an alphabetical list of writers who are Japanese, or are famous for having written in the Japanese language.
His name is romanized as Kobo Abe in Vintage International's English-language editions of his book, while Columbia University Press offers Three Plays by Kōbō Abe. In Linguistics, romanization (or latinization, also spelled romanisation or latinisation) is the representation of a Word or Vintage International is a publishing division of Books, which is a division of Random House, which is a division of the German media conglomerate Columbia University is a private University in the United States and a member of the Ivy League.
Contents |
Biography
Abe was born in Kita, Tokyo, grew up in Mukden (now Shen-yang) in Manchuria. is one of the special wards of Tokyo, Japan. In English it calls itself the City of Kita. officially, is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and located on the eastern side of the main island Honshū. Shenyang ( Ch: 沈阳 pinyin Shěnyáng, or Mukden ( in Manchu) is a Sub-provincial city and capital of Liaoning Manchuria ( Romanized Manchu: Manju,, Маньчжурия Mongolian: Манж is a historical name given to a vast geographic region in northeast His father was a physician who taught at the medical college. Abe returned to Japan in 1941 and began studies at Tokyo Imperial University in 1943. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The, abbreviated as, is a major Research university located in Tokyo, Japan. Year 1943 ( MCMXLIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. He graduated in 1948 with a medical degree, on the condition that he would not practice. Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. He was first published as a poet with Mumei Shishu ("Poems of an unknown poet") in 1947. Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The next year he published his first novel, Owarishi michi no shirube ni ("The Road Sign at the End of the Street") which established his reputation. He worked as an avant-garde novelist and playwright, but it was not until he published The Woman in the Dunes in 1962 that he won widespread international acclaim. Avant-garde (avɑ̃gaʁd in French) means "advance guard" or "vanguard Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
In the 1960s, he collaborated with Japanese director Hiroshi Teshigahara in adapting to film The Pitfall, Woman in the Dunes, The Face of Another and The Ruined Map. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 was an Avant-garde Japanese filmmaker. He was born in Tokyo, son to the famous Sofu Teshigahara, founder and grand master of the Sogetsu
In 1973 he founded an acting studio in Tokyo, where he trained performers in his innovative performance methods and directed plays. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar.
Abe's surreal and often nightmarish explorations of the individual in contemporary society earned him comparisons to Kafka and his influence extended well beyond Japan, particularly with the success of Woman in the Dunes at the Cannes Film Festival. The Cannes Film Festival (le Festival de Cannes founded in 1946 is one of the world's oldest most influential and prestigious Film festivals alongside Venice,
Kenzaburo Oe was one of Abe's friends. is a major figure in contemporary Japanese literature. His works strongly influenced by French and American literature and Literary theory, engage with political social Oe said he thinks Abe's novels are beyond his work and are as great as Kafka's and Faulkner's. William Faulkner (born William Cuthbert Falkner) ( September 25, 1897 – July 6, 1962) was an American Author
Summaries of selected works
The Ruined Map (1964)
In order to locate a timid woman's missing husband, a private investigator abandons his own identity. A private investigator or private detective (often shortened to PI or private eye) is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake
The Ark Sakura (1984)
Fearing imminent nuclear holocaust, an obese survivalist named "Mole" builds a sprawling, technologically well-equipped shelter out of an abandoned quarry. Nuclear holocaust refers to the possibility of nearly complete annhilation of human Civilization by Nuclear warfare. Obesity is a condition in which excess Body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be negatively affected Survivalism is a commonly used term for the Preparedness strategy and subculture of individuals or groups anticipating and making preparations for future possible disruptions A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or Minerals are extracted Challenges mount as the insect salesman and pair of shills that he has recruited as crew members start making demands and an elderly brigade of street-sweepers threatens invasion. A shill is an associate of a person selling goods or services or a political group who pretends no association to the seller/group and assumes the air of an enthusiastic customer
Kangaroo Notebook (1991)
After seeking treatment for a patch of radish sprouts discovered growing on his legs, an office supply worker is taken on a journey through various surreal locales by a hospital bed with a mind of its own.
List of books available in English
- Inter Ice Age 4 (第四間氷期 Daiyon kampyōki?) 1959 (translated by E. Dale Saunders)
- Woman in the Dunes (砂の女 Suna no onna?) 1962 (translated by E. Inter Ice Age 4 (第四間氷期 Daiyon kampyōki) is an early novel by Japanese writer Kōbō Abe written in 1959. The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. E Dale Saunders (1919-1995 was an American scholar of Romance languages and literature Japanese Buddhism Classical Japanese Literature and East Asian Civilisation Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Dale Saunders)
- The Face of Another (他人の顔 Tanin no kao?) 1964 (translated by E. is a 1959 Novel about Face transplants written by the writer Kōbō Abe. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Dale Saunders)
- The Ruined Map (燃え尽きた地図 Moetsukita chizu?) 1967 (translated by E. The Ruined Map (燃え尽きた地図 Moetsukita chizu) is a novel written by the Japanese writer Kōbō Abe in 1967 Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Dale Saunders)
- Friends (play) (友達 Tomodachi?) 1967
- The Man Who Turned Into A Stick (棒になった男 Bō ni natta otoko?)
- The Box Man (箱男 Hako otoko?) 1973 (translated by E. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. " The Man Who Turned Into A Stick " (棒になった男 - Bō ni natta otokois a one-act play written by Kōbō Abe. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Dale Saunders)
- Kangaroo Notebook (カンガルー・ノート?) ca 1973 - 1977(translated by Maryellen Toman Mori)
- Secret Rendezvous (密会 Mikkai?) 1977 (translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter)
- The Ark Sakura (方舟さくら丸 Hakobune Sakura-maru?) 1984 (translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter)
- Beyond the Curve (short stories) 1990 (translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter)
- Three Plays by Kobo Abe 1993 (translated by Donald Keene)
Novels
| Year | Japanese Title | English Title | Comments |
| 1948 | 終りし道の標に Owarisi mitino sirubeni |
At the Guidepost at the End of the Road | |
| 1954 | 飢餓同盟 Kiga doumei |
Starving Unions | |
| 1957 | けものたちは故郷をめざす Kemono tachi wa kokyou wo mezasu |
Animals are Going to their Home | |
| 1959 | 第四間氷期 Dai yon kan pyouki |
Inter Ice Age IV | |
| 1960 | 石の眼 Ishi no me |
Stony Eyes | |
| 1962 | 砂の女 Suna no onna |
Woman in the Dunes | |
| 1964 | 他人の顔 Tanin no kao |
The Face of Another | |
| 1965 | 榎本武揚 Enomoto takeaki |
Takeaki Enomoto | |
| 1967 | 燃えつきた地図 Moetukita chizu |
The Ruined Map | |
| 1973 | 箱男 Hako otoko |
The Box Man | |
| 1977 | 密会 Mikkai |
Secret Rendezvous | |
| 1984 | 方舟さくら丸 Hakobume sakura maru |
The Ark Sakura | |
| 1991 | カンガルー・ノート Kangaruu noto |
Kangaroo Notebook | |
| 1994 | 飛ぶ男 Tobu otoko |
The Flying Man | Incomplete |
Collected short stories
| Year | Japanese Title | English Title | Comments |
| 1951 | 壁 Kabe |
The wall | |
| 1952 | 飢えた皮膚 Ueta hihu |
The starving skin | |
| 闖入者 Chinnyu sha |
Intruders | ||
| 1956 | R62号の発明 R62 gou no hatumei |
Inventions by R62 | |
| 1964 | 無関係な死 Mukankei na shi |
The unrelated death | |
| 1967 | 人間そっくり Ningen sokkuri |
The double of human being | |
| 1968 | 夢の逃亡 Yume no toubou |
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| 1975 | 笑う月 Warau tuki |
The laughing Moon |
Plays
| Year | Japanese Title | English Title | Comments |
| 1955 | 制服 Seihuku |
Uniforms | |
| どれい狩り Dorei gari |
Slave huntting | ||
| 快速船 Kaisoku sen |
The speedy ship | ||
| 1958 | 幽霊はここにいる Yuurei wa koko ni iru |
Here is a ghost | |
| 1965 | おまえにも罪がある Omae nimo tumi ga aru |
You are also guilty | |
| 1967 | 友達 Tomodachi |
Friends | |
| 榎本武揚 Enomoto takeaki |
Takeaki Enomoto | ||
| 1969 | 棒になった男 Bou ni natta otoko |
The man who turned into a stick | |
| 1971 | 未必の故意 Mihitu no koi |
Willful negligence | |
| ガイド・ブック Gaido bukku |
Guide Book | ||
| 1973 | 愛の眼鏡は色ガラス Ai no megane wa iro garasu |
Loving glasses are colored ones | |
| 1974 | 緑色のストッキング Midori iro no sutokkingu |
Green Stockings | |
| 1975 | ウエー（新どれい狩り） Uē (Sin dorei gari) |
OOay(Slave hunting, new version ) | |
| 1976 | 案内人GUIDE BOOK II Annai nin |
The guide man, GUIDE BOOK II | |
| 1978 | 人さらい Hito sarai |
Kidnap | |
| S・カルマ氏の犯罪 S・Karuma si no hanzai |
The crime of S. (published 1991is a novel written by the Japanese writer Kōbō Abe between ca (published 1991is a novel written by the Japanese writer Kōbō Abe between ca Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Juliet Winters Carpenter (1948-) is a translator of modern Japanese literature into English Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Donald Lawrence Keene (born June 6 1922 in New York City) is a noted Japanologist, scholar teacher writer translator and interpreter of Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1954 ( MCMLIV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar) Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) Year 1958 ( MCMLVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Karuma | ||
| 1979 | 仔象は死んだ Kozou wa sinda |
An elephant calf are dead |
Poetry
| Year | Japanese Title | English Title | Comments |
| 1947 | 無名詩集 Mumei sishu |
Unknown poetry |
See also
References
- Encyclopædia Britannica 2005 Ultimate Reference Suite DVD, article- "Abe Kōbō". Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Japanese literature spans a period of almost two millennia Early works were heavily influenced by cultural contact with China and Chinese literature, often written This is an alphabetical list of writers who are Japanese, or are famous for having written in the Japanese language. The Encyclopædia Britannica is a general English-language encyclopaedia published by Encyclopædia Britannica Inc
- Abe Kobo: an Exploration of his Prose, Drama, and Theatre by Timothy Iles. Published by EPAP, 2000.
Prizes
- 1951 Akutagawa Prize - The Crime of S. The is a Japanese Literary award presented semi-annually It was established in 1935 by Kan Kikuchi, then-editor Karuma, (Kabe S. Karuma shi no hanzai,「壁 S・カルマ氏の犯罪」)
- 1962 Yomiuri Prize - Woman in the Dunes
- 1967 Tanizaki Prize - Friends, (Tomodachi, 友達)
External links
- Kobo Abe at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- Kobo Abe at the Internet Book List
- Kobo Abe at the Internet Book Database of Fiction
- Abe Kobo at ibiblio.org
- LitWeb.net: Kobo Abe Biography
- The Modern Word: Kobo Abe
- Interview with Goro Masaki about Japanese Science Fiction, large part devoted to Kobo Abe's work
- Kōbō Abe's grave
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