Masterpieces that passed the rigorous selection process
The Nobel Prize in Literature and the International Booker Prize are internationally renowned literary awards, but did you know that the main condition for a work to be nominated is that it must be available in English? In other words, if the selection committee cannot read it, it cannot even be considered for consideration.
The reason I say "mainly" is because English is a global language. So, conversely, wouldn't a similar literary award be established in a language area with a rich selection of translated literary works? Turns out, there's already one in Japan: the Japan Translation Award. It's a translation award for published works translated into Japanese.
Moreover, experts in each language check the accuracy of the translations by comparing them with the original text. When you learn about this selection process, you somehow feel grateful for the winning works.
"Acacia Blooms" by Deborah Vogel, translated Ariko Kato
A collection of short stories by a Yiddish author who was rediscovered in this century and is garnering attention as a figure rewriting the map of global modernism. Winner of the 6th Japan Translation Award. Shoraisha / 2,200 yen.
"The Lost Scrapbook" by Evan Darla, translated by Yoshihiko Kihara
A long, strange novel with no periods right down to the last line, in which the narration of countless anonymous speakers switches without warning. Winner of the 11th Japan Translation Award. Genki Shobo / 5,720 yen.
