Shōhei Ōoka
| Shōhei Ōoka | |
|---|---|
Ōoka Shōhei
|
|
| Native name | 大岡 昇平 |
| Born |
March 6, 1909 Tokyo, Japan |
| Died | December 25, 1988 (aged 79) Tokyo, Japan |
| Resting place | Tama Cemetery, Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan |
| Occupation | writer |
| Alma mater | Kyoto Imperial University |
| Genre | novels, literary criticism, short stories, non-fiction |
| Notable works | Fires on the Plain (1951) |
| Notable awards |
Yoriura Prize (1961), (1989) Shinchosha Culture Prize (1961) Mainichi Art Prize (1972) Noma Literary Prize (1974) Asahi Prize (1976) Mystery Writers of Japan Award (1978) |
Shōhei Ōoka (大岡 昇平 Ōoka Shōhei?, 6 March 1909 – 25 December 1988) was a Japanese novelist, literary critic, and translator of French literature who was active during the Shōwa period of Japan. Ōoka belongs to the group of postwar writers whose World War II experiences at home and abroad figure prominently in their works. Over his lifetime, he contributed short stories and critical essays to almost every literary magazine in Japan.
Ōoka was born in Magome Ward of Tokyo (now part of Shinjuku, Tokyo). His parents were from Wakayama prefecture, and his father was a and his mother was a geisha. Raised to study literature from early childhood, he mastered French while in high school. His parents also hired the famed literary critic Kobayashi Hideo to be his tutor. Under Kobayashi's instruction, be became acquainted with poet Nakahara Chūya, the critic Kawakami Tetsutaro, and other literary figures. He entered Kyoto Imperial University School of Literature in April 1929, graduating in March 1932.
After graduation, Ōoka became a journalist with the Kokumin Shimbun, a pro-government newspaper, but quit after one year to devote himself to the study and translate the works of the French writer, Stendhal, and other European writers into Japanese. To support himself, he found a job in 1938 with Teikoku Sansō, Franco-Japanese company based in Kobe as a translator. In June 1943, he left Teikoku Sansō, and in November of the same year obtained a position at Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
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