Li Kotomi Wins '15th Umeo Tadao Mountain and Exploration Literature Award' for 'Blessings from Japanese, Blessings to Japanese'

Taiwanese-born Akutagawa Prize-winning author Li Kotomi has won the '15th Umeo Tadao Mountain and Exploration Literature Award' for her essay collection 'Blessings from Japanese, Blessings to Japanese,' published by Asahi Shimbun Publications. She received the award along with Naoki Ishikawa for 'Saigo no Yama' (The Last Mountain, Shinchosha). While past recipients of this award often feature adventure-related works such as 'Kuhaku no 5 Mile' (The 5-Mile Blank) by Yusuke Kadota and 'Nazo no Dokuritsu Kokka Somaliland' (Mysterious Independent State Somaliland) by Hideyuki Takano, Li's essay, which overflows with deep knowledge and love for the Japanese language, detailing the various difficulties and joys of her learning process since she started learning Japanese in junior high school, became an exceptional winning work. [Content Introduction] What captivated the author, born in Taiwan, who didn't even know the Japanese alphabet until she was 15? The joys and difficulties of learning Japanese as a second language. A collection of exquisite essays by an Akutagawa Prize-winning author, brimming with new insights into the Japanese language. [Li Kotomi Profile] Li Kotomi Born in Taiwan in 1989. Author, Japanese-Chinese translator. Came to Japan in 2013. Completed the Master's program in Japanese Language Education at Waseda University Graduate School. Debuted in 2017 with 'Dokubu' (retitled 'Hitori Mai' upon book publication), which won the Gunzo New Writers' Award for Excellence. In 2021, she received the Arts Encouragement Prize for New Artists for 'Polaris ga Furisosogu Yoru' and the Akutagawa Prize for 'Higanbana ga Saku Shima.' Her numerous works include 'Itsutsu Kazoereba Mikazuki ga,' 'Hoshizukiyo,' 'Sei o Iwau,' 'Kotodama no Sakiwau Kuni de,' and 'Nihongo kara no Shukufuku, Nihongo e no Shukufuku.' 'Blessings from Japanese, Blessings to Japanese' Author: Li Kotomi Price: 1,980 yen (1,800 yen + 10% tax) Release Date: February 1, 2025 Format: B6 size, hardcover, 280 pages https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4022520337