Another year, another batch of Akutagawa and Naoki Prize winners!

The Asahi points out in their report that there are a couple interesting nominees this year. One Akutagawa finalist, Kuroda Natsuko, is a first time finalist at 75 years old; if she won, she would be the oldest winner in the prize’s history. On the other end, Kouno Nagara, another first time finalist, is a 20-year old university student (though he wouldn’t be the youngest to win the prize). And this is Maijou Outaro’s fourth time to be nominated.

Asai Ryou, a finalist for this season’s Naoki Prize, is just 23 and if he goes on to be the winner, will be the youngest to win the prize in the post-war years (22-year old Tsutsumi Chiyo won in 1940).

Akutagawa Prize

• Ono Masatsugu, 「獅子渡り鼻」from Gunzo, Nov. ’12
• Kitano Michio, 「関東平野」 from Bungakukai, Sep. ’12
• Kuroda Natsuko, 「ａｂさんご」from Waseda Bungaku Vol. 5
• Kouno Nagara, 「肉骨茶」from Shinchou, Nov. ’12
• Maijou Outarou, 「美味しいシャワーヘッド」from Shinchou, Aug. ’12

Naoki Prize

• Asai Ryou, 「何者」
• Abe Ryuutarou, 「等伯」
• Arikawa Hiro, 「空飛ぶ広報室」
• Ito Jun,  「国を蹴った男」 (available in Kindle!)
• Shigawa Setsuko, 「春はそこまで　風待ち小路の人々」(available in Kindle!)
• Nishi Kanako, 「ふくわらい」

Winners will be announced on the 16th.