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Honorable mention of the 30th
Japanese-French Translated
Literature Award
- Yûichirô MORISAWA
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Honorable mention of the 30th
Japanese-French Translated
Literature Award
- Jean-Baptiste FLAMIN
Fumio CHIBA
Winning Work
”Small Lives”
Pierre MICHON, Suiseisha, 2023
The original work, published nearly forty years ago, is already considered a classic in France and serves as the subject of scholarly research – it’s undeniably a literary work of significant value. Comprising eight chapters that sketch multiple characters, the narrative doesn't progress chronologically; rather, its structure unfolds perspectives as one reads. Despite not being straightforward storytelling or possessing an easily accessible style, the reader is drawn in almost unconsciously. The layered structure is also remarkable, depicting the lives of nameless commoners centered around the author’s ancestors while simultaneously revealing the difficult path the narrator takes to write this very novel. In every respect, it's a dense text, and it’s understandable why the translator was captivated by the work for so long, even attempting a translation twenty years prior but unable to complete it at the time. Indeed, translating Michon’s precise and expansive prose undoubtedly requires considerable effort and meticulous attention, demanding both accurate reading and patience. Faced with these challenges, this translation skillfully reproduces the author's breath, subtly adjusting the nuances of words to fit the rhythm of Japanese. The way the translator allows Michon’s unique sense of confinement and vagrancy to remain untamed—allowing them to dissolve into the prose as one reads, diminishing any sense of dissonance—is perhaps the work’s greatest strength. This remarkable feeling of openness is only possible thanks to the translator's exceptional skill. The handling of passages with multiple layers of meaning is also impressive. The sense of fulfillment upon finishing the entire book is characteristic of a truly outstanding literary work, and it speaks to the talent of this seasoned translator who has previously translated works by authors like Lélis and many others.
Therefore, recognizing both the high artistic value of the original work and the exceptional quality of the translation—its perfect alignment with the author’s style—the 30th Konoike Foundation Japan-France Translation Literature Award is hereby awarded to Fumio Chiba for his translation of Pierre Michon's Small People, Portraits in Passing.
Yûichirô MORISAWA
Winning Work
”War”
Louis-Ferdinand CÉLINE, Genki-shobou, 2023
The original is a portion of Céline’s previously unpublished manuscript, discovered in 2021 and generating considerable excitement. Even though the first half is missing, this “fragment” alone is well worth reading. As is well known, Céline was a writer who employed colloquial language and profanity extensively, crafting novels in a highly conversational style. It's no easy feat to transpose his distinctly oral narrative into Japanese with an equivalent effect. The translation leans towards a more lyrical quality, possessing a longer cadence than the original and establishing a rhythm that supports the entire work. Despite the constraint of limited slang variations, the skillful replacement through techniques like omitting particles creates a slightly dislocated feel from standard language use. Furthermore, there’s an evocative passage near the end where Ferdinand envisions “the sea” within himself as he heads towards London—a moment reminiscent of Conrad and Rimbaud. The translator's somewhat exaggerated lyrical tone beautifully complements the narrator’s leap from the field hospital to this point. Overall, the translation successfully overcomes the unique challenges posed by Céline through the creation of a distinctive Japanese style. The ability to spin Ferdinand’s monologue – a wounded soldier recuperating in a World War I field hospital – into a fresh rhythm is remarkable, especially considering this is the translator's first published work. This was the unanimous opinion of the selection committee.
In recognition of this outstanding achievement by a promising young talent who dared to transpose Céline’s often dense and challenging works—with their inherent vulgarity and profanity—into Japanese with such success, the 30th Konoike Foundation Japan-France Translation Literature Award Encouragement Prize is hereby awarded to Yuichiro Morizawa for his translation of L.F. Céline's War.
Jean-Baptiste FLAMIN
Winning Work
”The Lantern of Lost Memories”
Sanaka HIIRAGI, Nami, 2024
The French Selection Committee has decided to award the 30th Konishi Foundation Japanese-French Translated Literature Award Encouragement Prize to Jean-Baptiste Flamin, translator of HIIRAGI Sanaka, Le Gardien des souvenirs, Nami, 2024 (original work: Hiiragi Sanaka, Jinsei Shashinkan no Kiseki, Takarajimasha, 2019).
The committee highly praised the translation for its fluent and precise style, as well as its natural dialogue. They commended the faithful recreation in French of the narrative rhythm that underpins this contemporary novel, which skillfully interweaves elements of fantasy, suspense, and human drama.
Jean-Baptiste Flamin is a young full-time translator and graduate of the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO). He has translated dozens of light novels, mystery novels, and manga. This Encouragement Prize recognizes Mr. Flamin’s proactive engagement in the multifaceted discipline of translation, as well as his talent for translating contemporary fiction. It is hoped that this recognition will encourage him to further deepen his path as a translator and continue to thrive in the field.