The 69th Gunzo New Writers' Award Decided on Two Works! The winning works are "Hone to Kusari" by Shuya Nagata, 23, from Shizuoka Prefecture, and "Natsugo no Hane" by Inori Fuyushima, 21, from Hokkaido.

Cover of "Gunzo" June 2026 issue

The 69th Gunzo New Writers' Award has been decided as follows, based on the selection by committee members Mariko Asabuki, Masahiko Shimada, Kaori Fujino, Hideo Furukawa, and Kyo Machida. The June 2026 issue of "Gunzo," featuring the award-winning works and critical reviews, is on sale today, May 7th.

Winning Work: "Hone to Kusari" (Bone and Chain)

Author: Shuya Nagata

Biography: Born in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture in 2003. 23 years old.

Award: Certificate and prize money of 250,000 yen.

*Pen name changed from Yumemiya Shuya, used during application.

[Work Introduction]

Following an incident one winter, the daily lives of two people quietly begin to distort.

The raw "life" of boys emerges from the scent of violence and domination stirring within a relationship called best friends.

Photography by Katsumi Murata

Winning Work: "Natsugo no Hane" (Wings of Summer Silkworm)

Author: Inori Fuyushima

Biography: Born in Sapporo City, Hokkaido in 2005. 21 years old. Resides in Hakodate City.

Award: Certificate and prize money of 250,000 yen.

[Work Introduction]

In this narrow, small town, my sister and I were shunned—after our mother, who believed in a foreign god, disappeared, I quietly watch my sister break, and myself being broken.

Photography by Katsumi Murata

[About the Gunzo New Writers' Award]

"Gunzo" is a literary magazine founded in October 1946, making it Kodansha's oldest magazine. The "Gunzo New Writers' Award" has produced writers and critics such as Kyoko Hayashi, Ryu Murakami, Haruki Murakami, Genichiro Takahashi, Yoko Tawada, Kazushige Abe, Rio Shimamoto, Sayaka Murata, Yusuke Norishiro, Mai Ishizawa, K-Sanzo Matsunaga, Kohei Toyonaga, Kojin Karatani, Mutsumi Yamashiro, and Reiji Ando.

[Related Sites]

Kodansha Gunzo Official Website

https://gunzou.kodansha.co.jp/

Gunzo web

https://gendai.media/gunzou

Gunzo Official X

https://x.com/gunzou_henshubu

70th Gunzo New Writers' Award Manuscript Submission Page

https://gunzou.kodansha.co.jp/awards