Akutagawa Prize Nominee Suzuki Suzumi Writes About Her "Origins" Surviving the Unstable Showa and Heisei Eras -- First Autobiographical Essay "Onna no Ko Miman" Released

The first autobiographical essay by writer Suzuki Suzumi, who was nominated for the 175th Akutagawa Prize for "Warui Chi."

© Megumi

"Onna no Ko Miman" (Kodansha), the first autobiographical essay by writer Suzuki Suzumi, who was nominated for the 175th Akutagawa Prize for "Warui Chi," was released on June 25.

This book is an autobiographical essay depicting the journey of a timid girl, "Midori-chan," who lived through the unstable Showa and Heisei eras during her childhood and adolescence, eventually becoming a pornographic actress and Akutagawa Prize-nominated author, Suzuki Suzumi. It traces the origins of her creative work, which led to her previous Akutagawa Prize nominations for "Gifted" and "Grace Less," and "Warui Chi," by recalling her own memories.

The first book to write about memories "before becoming a woman."

"Onna no Ko Miman" is the first autobiographical essay to seriously depict Suzuki Suzumi's childhood and girlhood, which she had previously only touched upon fragmentarily in her novels and essays.

It depicts the origins of how one girl, who spent her childhood and adolescence in an "odd atmosphere" where youth and beauty were valued, came to view the world and eventually became the Suzuki Suzumi of today, in an era where Showa transitioned to Heisei, digital and analog coexisted, and noise and instability were intertwined.

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[Excerpt from the text]

I am sometimes told that my behavior when I was young was reckless, or that I was full of curiosity and fearless, or even that I was lucky to be alive. In fact, I myself sometimes wonder how such a timid kindergarten child ended up wandering into the entertainment district, full of dangers, or the porn industry. But in the end, perhaps because my core self is timid, I was somewhat cautious and hesitant even when doing risky things, and as a result, I may have survived my youth safely.

(From "Lost, Lost, Timid Cat")

Peach Natural Water, "Hime-chan's Ribbon," PHS, loose socks. The "that time" atmosphere that resonates now with the "Heisei Retro" boom.

We, who were once "less than girls," have survived the unstable Showa and Heisei eras and become adults. This book is not just nostalgia; it can also be read as a spiritual history of girls who lived through a chaotic era.

Amidst the current "Heisei Retro" boom, it is an essay of 100% relatability, a "search for a place to belong," where those who remember the time can recall memories, and younger generations can experience the Heisei era.

[Book Information]

"Onna no Ko Miman" by Suzuki Suzumi

[Release Date] June 25, 2026

[Specifications] 176 pages, standard binding, 46 size

[Publisher] Kodansha

[Price] 1,980 yen

[Book Design] Kaori Okamoto

[Cover Illustration] Kotoha Iwaki

[Table of Contents]

Flower Blooming on Dry Clay / Lipstick on Juice / Young Man of the East / The True Identity of Alice / The Heart of the Virgin Mary / The Personality of a Large-Breasted Woman / You Boys / The Last Fantasia / Pretty Woman, and Something Else / Desire for Five Tatami Mats / Lost, Lost, Timid Cat / Where the Sex Workers Are / Kitty's Visit / Who Will I Go With When I Get Married? / The Mark on the Wall / Scores and Double Lines / The Party in Full Swing / After a Small Festival / The Child Next Door / Places I Will Not Go / The Person Who Roasts Hearts / Wednesday's Float / Waiting in Front of Marui / My Blurred Left Eye / Breakfast in the Studio

[Author Profile]

Suzuki Suzumi (Suzuki Suzumi)

Born in 1983 in Tokyo. Graduated from Keio University. Completed a Master's degree at the University of Tokyo Graduate School. Her first novel, "Gifted," was nominated for the 167th Akutagawa Prize, and her second novel, "Grace Less," was nominated for the 168th Akutagawa Prize. Her other works include "When I Sold My Body, Goodbye: Love and Happiness Theory of an Evening Lady," "Sociology of 'AV Actresses' (Expanded New Edition)," "Tradition," "No Animals," and "Colors of the Daughter in Elegant Melodies." "Warui Chi" was nominated for the 175th Akutagawa Prize.