Asakura Kasumi's 'Kengwai' Wins the 175th Naoki Prize! Acclaimed Author of 'Hiraba no Tsuki' Opens a New Chapter with Her Debut Historical Novel!

Asakura Kasumi, who once said she had always wanted to write this story since her debut, has won the 175th Naoki Prize for her first historical novel, 'Kengwai' (published by Kobunsha).

The novel follows Fuyu, the protagonist living on society’s margins—'outside the circle' (kengwai)—due to her ugliness, who begins to carve out her own destiny after a pivotal, life-changing encounter.

A historical novel that transcends its era, 'Kengwai' explores themes deeply relevant to today’s world. Don’t miss this remarkable work.

[Book Overview]

Set in the Edo period. Fuyu, the elder sister, is intelligent but bears severe pockmarks. Her younger sister, Ryo, is delicate and beautiful but suffers from frequent dizziness. Orphaned at a young age, Fuyu becomes an assistant to a calligraphy teacher, while Ryo is sent to work as a maid at a riverside inn.

Fuyu is assaulted by Sozaburo, the teacher’s adopted son, whose twisted and sinister nature knows no bounds. Though she becomes pregnant against her will, she miscarries.

Just as she sinks into the depths of despair, Fuyu encounters a legendary female physician—and her fate begins to turn.

[Author Information]

Asakura Kasumi (born 1960 in Otaru, Hokkaido)

Made her literary debut in 2003 after winning the 37th Hokkaido Shimbun Literary Award for 'Komadori-san no Koto,' followed by the 72nd Shosetsu Kindai Newcomer Award in 2004 for 'Kimo, Yakeru.' Won the Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Newcomer Award in 2009 for 'Tamura wa Mada ka.' Received the 32nd Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize in 2019 for 'Hiraba no Tsuki' and was nominated for the 161st Naoki Prize. Her 2024 work 'Yomuyomu Kataru' was shortlisted for the 172nd Naoki Prize. Other notable works include 'Boku wa Asahi,' 'Nigiyakana Rakujitsu,' and 'Kan'ō mo Hana mo Iranai.'

[Book Details]

Title: 'Kengwai'

Author: Asakura Kasumi

Publisher: Kobunsha

Price: ¥1,980 (tax included)

Format: Hardback, B6 size

[Amazon]

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4334109527

[Rakuten Books]

https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18545553/?srsltid=AfmBOoozz6InTSILFsInyQr6eyGVl7c_Mp3Naz5T0JtVh0ylrPz4fztr