Kazuki Sakuraba (桜庭 一樹, Sakuraba Kazuki) is a Japanese author of novels and light novels, and Naoki Prize winner.[1]

Kazuki Sakuraba
Born (1971-07-26) July 26, 1971 (age 52)
Shimane Prefecture, Japan
OccupationWriter
LanguageJapanese
GenreFiction, light novel, crime fiction
Notable worksGosick series, Red Girls: The Legend of the Akakuchibas
Notable awardsMystery Writers of Japan Award (2007)
Naoki Prize (2007)

Biography edit

Sakuraba was born in Shimane Prefecture on the 26th of July 1971.[1] She, however, grew up in Yonago, Tottori Prefecture.[2]

She started writing novels when she was in the fourth or fifth grade of elementary school. In the library, Sakuraba often met a girl who she befriended that was writing something like a novel, so she decided to do the same, writing her first novel in her notebook.[3][4]

During her junior and senior high school years, Sakuraba skipped classes and cram school to read books.[3] She states that she was seemingly unable to and hated studying.[3] She graduated from Yonago Higashi High School and moved to Tokyo for university.[5] During university, she repeatedly tried but failed to write anything substantial.[4] Sakuraba continued to read books however and had a part-time job.[4]

In 1993, she won the DENiM New Writer's Award.[5] In 1999, Sakuraba's novel Yozora ni, Manten no Hoshi (later retitled Loneliness Guardian: AD2015 Isolated Town) received an honorable mention in the 1st Famitsu Entertainment Award in the novel category.[5] Novelist Usagi Nakamura was on the selection committee and recommended the work, barely making the selection and allowing Sakuraba to debut.[6] After her debut, there was a period of stagnation where Sakuraba did not publish much and the work she did publish did not sell well.[6]

In 2003, Sakuraba made her first big break with the light novel series Gosick.[4] In addition, her novels Suitei Shōjo and A Lollypop or A Bullet published in 2004 were highly acclaimed,[7] and in 2005, her novel Shōjo ni wa Mukanai Shokugyō attracted attention as her first work for the general public.[7]

In 2007, she won the 60th Mystery Writers of Japan Award in the long and serial short story category for her work Red Girls: The Legend of the Akakuchibas published in 2006.[1][8] The same work was nominated for the 28th Eiji Yoshikawa Literary Newcomer Award.[1] In 2008, she won the 138th Naoki Prize for her novel Watashi no Otoko.[1]

Works in English translation edit

Gosick series

  • Gosick, Volume 1 (Tokyopop. 2008. ISBN 9781427805690)
  • Gosick, Volume 2: The Crime That Has No Name (Tokyopop. 2010. ISBN 9781427805706)

Other

  • Red Girls: The Legend of the Akakuchibas (original title: Akakuchiba-ke no Densetsu), translated Jocelyne Allen (Haikasoru, 2015)

Awards and nominations edit

Japanese Awards
  • 2007 – Mystery Writers of Japan Award for Best Novel: Red Girls: The Legend of the Akakuchibas
  • 2007 – Nominee for Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers: Red Girls: The Legend of the Akakuchibas
  • 2007 – Nominee for Naoki Prize: Red Girls: The Legend of the Akakuchibas
  • 2007 – Naoki Prize: Watashi no Otoko (My Man)
U.S. Awards

Bibliography edit

Gosick series edit

Books in the GOSICK series up to GOSICKs III were published originally by Fujimi Mystery Bunko; the publishing dates listed correspond to this printing. Between September 2009 and January 2011, these books were republished by Kadokawa Bunko. From February to November 2011 they were then republished by Kadokawa Beans Bunko. Starting with GOSICK VII the books have been published by Kadokawa Bunko exclusively.

Royalties from the first edition printing of GOSICK VII were donated to the Japanese Red Cross to aid victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

Year Japanese Title English Title Publisher ISBN
2003 GOSICK -ゴシック-
Goshikku
GOSICK -Gosick- Fujimi Mystery Bunko
Kadokawa Bunko
Kadokawa Beans Bunko
ISBN 4-8291-6229-5
ISBN 978-4-04-428106-9
ISBN 978-4-04-428116-8
2004 GOSICK II -ゴシック・その罪は名もなき-
Goshikku: Sono Tsumi wa Namonaki
GOSICK II -Gosick: Those Sins are Nameless- Fujimi Mystery Bunko
Kadokawa Bunko
Kadokawa Beans Bunko
ISBN 4-8291-6254-6
ISBN 978-4-04-428107-6
ISBN 978-4-04-428117-5
2004 GOSICK III -ゴシック・青い薔薇の下で-
Goshikku: Aoi Bara no Shita de
GOSICK III -Gosick: Beneath the Blue Rose- Fujimi Mystery Bunko
Kadokawa Bunko
Kadokawa Beans Bunko
ISBN 4-8291-6273-2
ISBN 978-4-04-428108-3
ISBN 978-4-04-428118-2
2005 GOSICK IV -ゴシック・愚者を代弁せよ-
Goshikku: Kuja o Daiben Seyo
GOSICK IV -Gosick: Speaking on Behalf of Fools- Fujimi Mystery Bunko
Kadokawa Bunko
Kadokawa Beans Bunko
ISBN 4-8291-6288-0
ISBN 978-4-04-428110-6
ISBN 978-4-04-428122-9
2005 GOSICKs -ゴシックエス・春来たる死神-
Goshikkuesu: Haru Kitaru Shinigami
GOSICKs -Gosicks: The Death God that Came with Spring- Fujimi Mystery Bunko
Kadokawa Bunko
Kadokawa Beans Bunko
ISBN 4-8291-6310-0
ISBN 978-4-04-428109-0
ISBN 978-4-04-428120-5
2005 GOSICK V -ゴシック・ベルゼブブの頭蓋-
Goshikku: Beruzebubu no Zugai
GOSICK V -Gosick: Belzebub's Skull- Fujimi Mystery Bunko
Kadokawa Bunko
Kadokawa Beans Bunko
ISBN 4-8291-6328-3
ISBN 978-4-04-428111-3
ISBN 978-4-04-428125-0
2006 GOSICKs II -ゴシックエス・夏から遠ざかる列車-
Goshikkuesu: Natsu kara Toozakaru Ressha
GOSICKs II -Gosicks: The Train Moving Away From Summer- Fujimi Mystery Bunko
Kadokawa Bunko
Kadokawa Beans Bunko
ISBN 4-8291-6352-6
ISBN 978-4-04-428112-0
ISBN 978-4-04-428123-6
2006 GOSICK VI -ゴシック・仮面舞踏会の夜-
Goshikku: Kamen Butōkai no Yoru
GOSICK VI -Gosick: The Night of the Masquerade Ball- Fujimi Mystery Bunko
Kadokawa Bunko
Kadokawa Beans Bunko
ISBN 4-8291-6375-5
ISBN 978-4-04-428113-7
ISBN 978-4-04-428126-7
2007 GOSICKs III -ゴシックエス・秋の花の思い出-
Goshikuesu: Aki no Hana no Omoide
GOSICKs III -Gosicks: Memories of Autumn Flowers- Fujimi Mystery Bunko
Kadokawa Bunko
Kadokawa Beans Bunko
ISBN 978-4-8291-6387-0
ISBN 978-4-04-428114-4
ISBN 978-4-04-100048-9
2011 GOSICK VII -ゴシック・薔薇色の人生-
Goshikku: Barairo no Jinsei
GOSICK VII -Gosick: Rose Coloured Life- Kadokawa Bunko ISBN 978-4-04-428115-1
2011 GOSICKs IV -ゴシックエス・冬のサクリファイス-
Goshikkuesu: Fuyu no Sakurifaisu
GOSICKs IV -Gosicks: Winter's Sacrifice- Kadokawa Bunko ISBN 978-4-04-428119-9
2011 GOSICK VIII -ゴシック・神々の黄昏-
Goshikku: Kamigami no Tasogare
GOSICK VIII -Gosick: Twilight of the Gods- Kadokawa Bunko First volume: ISBN 978-4-04-428121-2
Second volume: ISBN 978-4-04-428124-3

Other light novels edit

Year Japanese Title English Title Publisher ISBN
1999 ロンリネス・ガーティアン AD2015隔離都市
Ronrinesu Gādian AD2015 Kakuri Toshi
Loneliness Guardian: AD2015 Isolated Town Famitsū Bunko ISBN 4-7572-0619-4
2001 ルナティック・ドリーマー
Runatikku Dorīmā
Lunatic Dreamer EX Novels ISBN 4-7575-0601-5
2002 Girl's Guard 君の歌は僕の歌
Girl's Guard: Kimi no Uta wa Boku no Uta
Girl's Guard: Your Song Is My Song Famitsū Bunko ISBN 4-7577-0710-X
2002 B-EDGE AGE 獅子たちはアリスの庭で
B-EDGE AGE: Shishi-tachi wa Arisu no Niwa de
B-EDGE AGE: The Shishi Are in Alice's Garden Fujimi Mystery Bunko ISBN 4-8291-6167-1
2002 B-EDGE AGE 獅子たちはノアの方舟で
B-EDGE AGE: Shishi-tachi wa Noa no Hakobune de
B-EDGE AGE: The Shishi Are in Noah's Ark Fujimi Mystery Bunko ISBN 4-8291-6186-8
2002 竹田くんの恋人
Takeda-kun no Koibito
Takeda-kun's Lover Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko ISBN 4-04-428101-7
2003 赤×ピンク
Aka × Pinku
Red × Pink Famitsū Bunko ISBN 4-7577-1283-9
2004 推定少女
Suitei Shōjo
Presumptuous Girl Famitsū Bunko ISBN 4-7577-1995-7
2004 砂糖菓子の弾丸は撃ちぬけない
Satōgashi no Dangan wa Uchinukenai
A Lollypop or A Bullet
(lit. Candy Bullets Can't Hit Anything)
Fujimi Mystery Bunko ISBN 4-8291-6276-7
2005 荒野の恋 第一部 catch the tail
Kōya no Koi Dai Ichi Bu catch the tail
Love of the Wilderness, Volume One: catch the tail Famitsū Bunko ISBN 4-7577-2289-3
2006 荒野の恋 第二部 bump of love
Kōya no Koi Dai Ni Bu bump of love
Love of the Wilderness, Volume Two: bump of love Famitsū Bunko ISBN 4-7577-2604-X

Mainstream novels edit

Sakuraba's mainstream novels have been released by a variety of publishers. The bulk of them have also been rereleased several years after their original publishing dates by different publishers.

Red Girls: The Legend of the Akakuchibas was the winner of the 60th Mystery Writers of Japan Award in 2007, and Watashi no Otoko (My Man) won the 138th Naoki Prize in the latter half of the same year.

Year Japanese Title English Title Publisher ISBN
2005 少女には向かない職業
Shōjo ni wa Mukanai Shokugyō
Careers Not Suitable for Girls Tōkyō Sōgensha Mystery Frontier
Sōgensuiri Bunko
ISBN 4-488-01719-3
ISBN 978-4-488-47201-6
2005 ブルースカイ
Burū Sukai
Blue Sky Hayakawa Bunko JA

Bunshun Bunko
ISBN 4-15-030820-9
ISBN 978-4-15-031028-8
ISBN 978-4-16-778405-8
2006 少女七竈と七人の可愛そうな大人
Shōjo Nanakamodo to Shichinin no Kawaisō na Otona
Girl Rowans and Seven People Make Cute Adults Kadokawa Shoten
Kadokawa Bunko
ISBN 4-04-873700-7
ISBN 978-4-04-428105-2
2006 赤朽葉家の伝説
Akakuchiba-ke no Densetsu
Red Girls: The Legend of the Akakuchibas Tōkyō Sōgensha
Sōgensuiri Bunko
ISBN 4-488-02393-2
ISBN 978-4-488-47202-3
2007 青年のための読書クラブ
Seishun no Tame no Dokusha Kurabu
Reading Club for the Sake of Youth Shinchosha
Shinchō Bunko
ISBN 978-4-10-304951-7
ISBN 978-4-10-135681-5
2007 私の男
Watashi no Otoko
My Man Bungeishunjū
Bunshun Bunko
ISBN 978-4-16-326430-1
ISBN 978-4-16-778401-0
2008 ファミリーポートレイト
Famirī Pōtoreito
Family Portrait Kodansha ISBN 978-4-06-215132-0
ISBN 978-4-06-277062-0
2009 製鉄天使
Seitetsu Tenshi
Blacksmith Angel Tōkyō Sōgensha ISBN 978-4-488-02450-5
2010 道徳という名の少年
Dōtoku to Iu Na no Shōnen
A Boy Named Moral Kadokawa Shoten ISBN 978-4-04-874058-6
2010 伏 贋作・里見八犬伝
Fuse Gansaku: Satomi Hakkenden
The Fake Fuse: Satomi Hakkenden Bungeishunjū ISBN 978-4-16-329760-6
2011 ばらばら死体の夜
Barabara Shitai no Yoru
Night of the Scattered Corpse Shueisha ISBN 978-4-08-771402-9
2012 傷痕
Kizuato
Scar Kodansha ISBN 978-4-06-217459-6

Anthologized works edit

In addition to her full-length works, Sakuraba has contributed short stories to a number of literary anthologies.

Year Japanese Title English Title Anthologized In ISBN
2005 暴君
Bōkun
Tyrant Igyō Korekushon: Obakeyashiki
異形コレクション・オバケヤシキ
Grotesque Collection: Haunted House
ISBN 978-4334739317
2006 脂肪遊戯
Shibō Yūgi
Blubber Games Igyō Korekushon: Yami Denwa
『異形コレクション・闇電話
Grotesque Collection: Dark Phone
ISBN 978-4334740665
2006 少年バンコラン! 夜歩く犬
Shōnen Bankoran! Yoru Aruku Inu
Boy Bencolin! Night Walking Dog Misshitsu to Kiseki: J.D. Kā Seitan Hyakunen Kinen Ansorojī
密室と奇蹟 J・D・カー生誕百周年記念アンソロジ
Locked Rooms and Miracles: J.D. Carr Hundred Year Anniversary Anthology
ISBN 978-4488023928
2008 ライティング
Raitingu
Lighting Sakuraba Kazuki: Monogataru Shōjo to Yajū
桜庭一樹 物語る少女と野獣
Kazuki Sakuraba: To Tell of Girls and Beasts
ISBN 978-4048738750
2009 A
A
A Mijikai Nemurinitsuku Mae ni III
みじかい眠りにつく前にIII
A While Before You Sleep III
ISBN 978-4861766824

Essay collections edit

Aside from her works of fiction, Sakuraba has written a number of essays that have been compiled into collection. Her first essay collection, Nidaime no Baka ni Tsukeru Kusuri, was published under the masculine pen name Sakuramaru Yamada (山田桜丸, Yamada Sakuramaru).

Year Japanese Title English Title Publisher ISBN
1996 二代目のバカにつける薬
Nidaime no Baka ni Tsukeru Kusuri
Remedies for a Second Generation Fool Ihatov Shuppan ISBN 4-900779-08-3
2006 桜庭一樹日記 BLACK AND WHITE
Sakuraba Kazuki Nikki: BLACK AND WHITE
Kazuki Sakuraba Diary: BLACK AND WHITE Fujimi Shobo ISBN 4-8291-7610-5
2007 桜庭一樹読書日記 少年になり、本を買うのだ。
Sakuraba Kazuki Dokusha Nikki: Shōnen ni Nari, Hon o Kau no da.
Kazuki Sakuraba Reading Diary: If I Was a Boy, I Would Buy Books. Tōkyō Sōgensha
Sōgen Library
ISBN 978-4-488-02395-9
ISBN 978-4-488-07064-9
2008 書店はタイムマシーン 桜庭一樹読書日記
Shoten wa Taimu Mashīn: Sakuraba Kazuki Dokusha Nikki
Bookstores are Time Machines: Kazuki Sakuraba Reading Diary Tōkyō Sōgensha ISBN 978-4-488-02435-2
2009 お好みの本、入荷しました 桜庭一樹読書日記
Okonomi no Hon, Nyūkashimashita: Sakuraba Kazuki Dokusha Nikki
My Favourite Books Have Arrived: Kazuki Sakuraba Reading Diary Tōkyō Sōgensha ISBN 978-4-488-02452-9

TV and film adaptations edit

TV anime
Anime films
Live action films

External links edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "桜庭一樹オフィシャルサイト Scheherzade - Profile". 2015-07-05. Archived from the original on 2015-07-05. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  2. ^ "■2007年06月15日「米子市出身作家の桜庭一樹さん~日本推理作家協会賞受賞~」/とっとり雑学本舗". 2013-12-02. Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  3. ^ a b c "雨のち晴れ#015 特集:桜庭一樹". 2016-03-05. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  4. ^ a b c d "Sawako Agawa no kono hito ni aitai". Shūkan Bunshun. 21 February 2008. pp. 122–124.
  5. ^ a b c 日本人名大辞典+Plus,デジタル大辞泉, デジタル版. "桜庭一樹とは". コトバンク (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  6. ^ a b "文藝春秋|松本清張賞|石田衣良×桜庭一樹対談". 2019-12-04. Archived from the original on 2019-12-04. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  7. ^ a b 少女には向かない職業 - 桜庭一樹|東京創元社 (in Japanese).
  8. ^ "2007年 第60回 日本推理作家協会賞|日本推理作家協会". 日本推理作家協会 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-06-02.