MURAKAMI RYU

(1952–)

   Murakami Ryu, given name Ryunosuke, is a novelist born in Nagasaki. His first work, published while he was a student in Tokyo, was Kagirinaku tomei ni chikai buru (1976; tr. Almost Transparent Blue, 1977), for which he won the Akutagawa Ryunosuke Prize. Film versions of several of Murakami’s novels exist or are in production, including Kagirinaku tomei ni chikai buru and Koinrokka Beibizu (1980; tr. Coin Locker Babies, 1995). In addition to writing and directing films, Murakami has played drums in a rock band and hosted a television show.

   See also OCCUPATION PERIOD; POSTWAR LITERATURE.