25 Years of Contemporary Novels in the Naoki Prize | Naoki Prize Since 2000 (Part 14)
In this series, we have categorized works that do not fit into mystery, historical fiction, period drama, coming-of-age, romance, or life-story genres as "contemporary novels."
These are works that depict contemporary society and modern people, including workplace novels, social novels, ensemble dramas, and noir fiction.
There is little thematic unity as a genre.
However, that is precisely why it is the genre that most vividly reflects the atmosphere of its time.
What has the Naoki Prize valued since 2000?
Perhaps this group of contemporary novels best reveals those changes.
Contemporary novels of this period
2010: "Hyosa no Utau" (Singing Drifting Sand) by Nobori Kiuchi
2011: "Shitamachi Rocket" by Jun Ikeido
2018: "Takara-jima" (Treasure Island) by Junjo Shindo
2021: "Tezcatlipoca" by Kyu Sato
2024: "Tsumidemic" by Michi Ichiho
2024: "Ai o Tsugu Umi" (The Sea That Inherits Indigo) by Shin Iyohara
The eras and themes are completely different.
Yet, each embodies the essence of the Naoki Prize at the time it was awarded.
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2010: "Hyosa no Utau" (Singing Drifting Sand) by Nobori Kiuchi
An ensemble novel set in Fukagawa during the end of the Edo period.
While it could be called historical or period fiction, the focus of this work is not the era itself, but the lives of the people.
It carefully depicts the lives of people struggling while being tossed about by social change.
It was evaluated as a work that depicts the lives of ordinary people rather than grand history.
2011: "Shitamachi Rocket" by Jun Ikeido
One of the representative Naoki Prize-winning works since 2000.
Technicians at a small-to-medium enterprise stand up against a large corporation.
It is a workplace novel, a corporate novel, and an entertainment novel all in one.
It was a work that reminded many readers that the Naoki Prize is an award that values "interesting novels."
It also became a social phenomenon due to its television adaptation, significantly boosting the recognition of Naoki Prize-winning works.
2018: "Takara-jima" (Treasure Island) by Junjo Shindo
A full-length novel set in post-war Okinawa.
The chaos under occupation, U.S. military rule, and the reversion movement.
While depicting the post-war history of Okinawa, it also possesses overwhelming intensity as an adventure novel.
It could be called historical or social fiction, but what this work depicts is the story of "people who lived through the post-war era."
It is likely one of the major works representing the Naoki Prize in recent years.
2021: "Tezcatlipoca" by Kyu Sato
Drug trafficking, organ trafficking, and violence.
A noir novel depicting the darkness of modern society.
Although it is a work that selects its readers, it was highly acclaimed for its overwhelming power and originality.
It is also a winning work that showed that the Naoki Prize does not necessarily choose only works for the general public.
2024: "Tsumidemic" by Michi Ichiho
A collection of linked short stories set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It depicts human relationships and values that have changed due to the pandemic.
It can be said to be a work that records the figures of people who lived through that era, rather than the infectious disease itself.
When looking back in later years, it may become a book that symbolizes the first half of the 2020s.
2024: "Ai o Tsugu Umi" (The Sea That Inherits Indigo) by Shin Iyohara
A collection of short stories themed around science and local communities.
It depicts researchers and people living in local areas.
No flashy incidents occur.
However, knowledge and human drama are beautifully combined, creating a quiet sense of emotion.
It is a winning work that shows that the Naoki Prize has been accepting diverse themes in recent years.
Reading the Naoki Prize as Contemporary Fiction
When lined up like this, there are almost no commonalities.
Corporate novels, Okinawa novels, noir, pandemic novels, science fiction.
Each one points in a completely different direction.
However, there is something they share.
That is that they depict the "now."
They do not depict history or a past era, but the society in which the readers of that time live.
That is precisely why this is the genre where the changes in the Naoki Prize are best reflected.
The Naoki Prize contemporary novels since 2000 are the following six works.
2010: "Hyosa no Utau" (by Nobori Kiuchi)
2011: "Shitamachi Rocket" (by Jun Ikeido)
2018: "Takarajima" (by Junjo Shindo)
2021: "Tezcatlipoca" (by Kyu Sato)
2024: "Tsumidemic" (by Michi Ichiho)
2024: "Ai o Tsugu Umi" (by Shin Ioyohara)
Mystery, history, period drama, youth, romance, life.
These are works that cannot be contained within any single genre.
However, looking back at the 25 years of the Naoki Prize, it can be said that these "works that do not fit into a mold" are exactly what have created the trends of new eras.
The final piece to deciphering the Naoki Prize since 2000 is this group of contemporary novels.
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