The winners of the Akutagawa and Naoki Prizes were announced while I was sleeping (see for example, the Asahi, though I’m sure the news is everywhere).

Two winners for the Akutagawa this time, Enjoe Toh and his work 道化師の蝶 “The Clown’s Butterfly” (from Gunzo issue 7) and Tanaka Shin’ya for 共喰い  “Eating Each Other” (from Subaru 10).

Hamuro Rin takes home the Naoki Prize for his novel 蜩ノ記 “Chronicle of the Evening Cicadas.” Everyone gets a million yen cash prize, bragging rights for eternity, and an award ceremony will be held in mid-February.

No access to lit magazines? Never fear! “The Clown’s Butterfly” will be released in book form on February 21st, and “Eating Each Other” will be released in book form on January 27th.