A Brief History of Japan’s Most Prestigious Literary Award, The Akutagawa Prize

The Akutagawa Prize is one of the most coveted literary awards in Japan. It is currently awarded twice annually, in January and July, to up-and-coming talent in the world of literature. Learn the history behind Japan’s esteemed fiction prize right here.
The Akutagawa Prize is celebrating its 81st anniversary this year. It was first established in 1935 by novelist and publishing mogul Kan Kikuchi. Kikuchi certainly left his mark on the literary world. He started a publishing company-cum-literary magazine called Bungeishunjū, the Japan Writer’s Association, the Kan Kikuchi Prize (for authors over age 45), and the Naoki Prize, Japan’s other most prestigious literary prize. Kikuchi named the Akutagawa Prize after the late Ryūnosuke Akutagawa who died in 1927 from an overdose. Akutagawa was famous for his work in the short fiction genre, and is nicknamed the Father of the Japanese Short Story.