Tetsu Yano
Tetsu Yano (Japanese 矢野徹 Yano Tetsu; October 5, 1923 – October 13, 2004) was a Japanese science fiction translator and writer. He began to introduce to Japanese readers the works of US science fiction writers in the late 1940s. He was the first Japanese writer of the genre to visit the United States, in 1953. He took part in founding Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan (SFWJ, 日本SF作家クラブ) in 1963, and served as its president from 1978 to 1979.[1][2]
Biography
[edit]Yano was born in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture and grew up in Kobe. After studying at Chuo University for three years, he was drafted into the Imperial Japanese Army, serving two years and two months.[3] After the war he made a living collecting trash on a US military base, where he became fascinated with the colorfully illustrated science fiction works thrown away by the soldiers.
He learned to read English and eventually began translating science fiction. The works of Robert A. Heinlein, Frederik Pohl, Desmond Bagley, and Frank Herbert were among the some 360 translations by him. He also wrote stories of his own, including The Legend of the Paper Spaceship, which first appeared in English translation in 1984 and has appeared in several collections. Some of his stories have been adapted into anime.
Yano died on October 13, 2004, from cancer of the large intestine.[1] Although he made a partial recovery after an operation in November of the previous year, he relapsed. His funeral was held on October 16, 2004. The SFWJ gave the Special Award of Nihon SF Taisho Award for his contributions to Japanese science fiction.[4]
Works
[edit]Novels
[edit]- Chikyū zero nen (地球0年) 1969 Rippu shobo
- Kamui no Ken (カムイの剣) 1970, Rippu shobo
- Shinsekai yūgekitai (新世界遊撃隊) 1972 Tsuru shobo seikosha
- Orgami uchūsen no densetsu (折紙宇宙船の伝説) 1978 Hayakawa shobo
- Karasu no umi (カラスの海) 1977 Kadokawa shoten
- 442 rentai sentōdan (442連隊戦闘団) 1979 Kadokawa shoten
- Jisatsu sensuikan totsugeki seyo (自殺潜水艦突撃せよ) 1980 Kadokawa shoten
- Akumu no senjō (悪夢の戦場) 1982 Hayakawa shobo
- Kōtei heika no senjō (皇帝陛下の戦場) 1983 Kadokawa shoten
- Telepath-gari no wakusei (テレパス狩りの惑星) 1992 Hayakawa shobo
- Sōgen wo yuku hansen (草原をゆく帆船) 1993 Hayakawa shobo
- Sabaku no time-machine (砂漠のタイムマシン) 1993 Hayakawa shobo
Translations
[edit]- Tenkai no ō (Star King) by Edmond Hamilton
- Uchū no senshi (Starship Troopers) by Robert A. Heinlein
- Akutoku nanka kowakunai (I Will Fear No Evil) by Robert A. Heinlein
- Dune (Dune) by Frank Herbert
English translated novel
[edit]- The Dagger of Kamui (Kamui no Ken)
References
[edit]- ^ a b (ja) SFWJ site
- ^ (ja) SFWJ: about
- ^ (en) SFWJ-E site
- ^ (ja) SFWJ: Winners
External links
[edit]- Official SFWJ profile
- Internet Book List profile
- SFWA obituary
- Entry in The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| Other | |
- Japanese science fiction writers
- Japanese male short story writers
- Japanese speculative fiction critics
- Japanese speculative fiction translators
- 1923 births
- 2004 deaths
- People from Matsuyama, Ehime
- Deaths from colorectal cancer in Japan
- Chuo University alumni
- 20th-century translators
- Imperial Japanese Army personnel of World War II