Japanese children's author Toshiko Kanzawa dies at 102
In short
Children's author Toshiko Kanzawa (神沢利子) died of old age in Mitaka, Tokyo, on October 11 at 102. Publisher Poplar announced her death on October 15; a private funeral has been held and a farewell gathering is planned.
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Japanese children's author Toshiko Kanzawa (神沢利子), whose stories about a bear cub appeared in elementary-school textbooks, died of old age in Mitaka, Tokyo, on October 11. She was 102. Publisher Poplar announced her death on October 15, according to Yahoo! News Japan. A funeral was held with only close relatives present, in accordance with her and her family's wishes, and a farewell gathering is planned for a later date. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Kanzawa published more than 300 books over a career spanning children's stories, poetry, songs and picture books. Her representative work Kuma no Ko Ufu (くまの子ウーフ) follows a bear cub who enjoys thinking and confronts questions arising in everyday life, Asahi reported. Sankei said the work had long been familiar to readers through elementary-school Japanese textbooks. Poplar's announcement described books that continued to be read across generations. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Born in Fukuoka prefecture, Kanzawa spent her childhood in Hokkaido and Karafuto, now Sakhalin, before graduating from Bunka Gakuin in Tokyo. Asahi reported that she attracted attention with Chibikko Kamu no Boken (ちびっこカムのぼうけん), published in 1961. Her other works included Inai Inai Baaya (いないいないばあや), which received the Noma children's literature award and an award from the Japan Association of Writers for Children, according to Asahi. [ 1 , 4 ]
Sankei recalled her Sankei children's publishing culture award for Oyasuminasai Mata Ashita (おやすみなさいまたあした) and the grand prize for Taran no Hakucho (タランの白鳥). It also listed Shika yo Ore no Kyodai yo (鹿よ おれの兄弟よ), depicting the lives of a Siberian minority people, among her books. In its announcement, Poplar expressed condolences and gratitude for her contribution to children's literature. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
Kanzawa published more than 300 books, and her work reached generations of readers. Her stories about a bear cub, Kuma no Ko Ufu (くまの子ウーフ), have long appeared in elementary-school Japanese textbooks.