Celebrating the 35th Bunkamura Dumago Literary Award Winner: 'Rokkoku Kitchen'

The 35th Bunkamura Dumago Literary Award

Since its inception in 1990, the Bunkamura Dumago Literary Award has recognized groundbreaking literature each year, determined by a rotating selection committee. The 35th iteration of the award, for the year 2025, was presided over by Hazuki Saishō, who selected Ario Kawauchi's work, 'Rokkoku Kitchen.'

The award-winning piece, 'Rokkoku Kitchen: Eating in Hamadori', will feature in the literary magazine "Gunzō" from October 2024 to August 2025 in a bimonthly series, published by Kodansha. The exciting selection commentary by Saishō is also publicly available for readers.

About 'Rokkoku Kitchen'

Set in Hamadori, Fukushima Prefecture, which has been rebuilding its communities since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster 13 years ago, 'Rokkoku Kitchen' explores the questions of what kitchens hold in this recovering landscape. What are the residents cooking? With whom are they sharing their meals? This book skillfully utilizes the metaphor of food to narrate the lives and histories of its inhabitants. It journeys along National Route 6, known colloquially as 'Rokkoku,' uncovering warm and delicious memories that depict life after tragedy.

Additionally, the full book 'Rokkoku Kitchen' will be published on November 20, 2025, complete with unedited and newly written content from the series. A documentary film adaptation, also titled 'Rokkoku Kitchen,' is scheduled for premiere this fall.

The Author: Ario Kawauchi

Ario Kawauchi, born in 1972 in Tokyo, is a nonfiction writer with a rich history in international cooperation, having worked across the Americas, Europe, and Japan. After twelve years of service, she transitioned into freelance writing. Kawauchi's portfolio includes biographies, travel narratives, and essays. Notably, she's received accolades such as the Nitta Jiro Literary Prize for her work 'In Search of the Baul: A Secret Song from the Corner of the Earth,' as well as the Yahoo! News Nonfiction Book Award for 'The Swan Who Can't See and Goes to Art.'

The Judge: Hazuki Saishō

Hazuki Saishō, born in 1963 and raised in Kobe, graduated from Kansai Gakuin University School of Law. Following various corporate roles, she established herself as a nonfiction writer, covering topics ranging from music, sports, and life sciences to disasters and mental health. She has won several notable honors, including the Shogakukan Nonfiction Prize for 'Absolute Pitch' and the Kodansha Nonfiction Prize.

Saishō's Commentary

In her selection review, Saishō expressed her surprise at the innovative approach taken in crafting a narrative centered around the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster. 'Rokkoku Kitchen' emphasizes the voices of those who have returned to their homeland after being dislocated, as well as new residents, focusing on their food experiences in light of the profound social issues engendered by the disaster. Instead of traditional interviews, Kawauchi's initiative invited local residents to contribute their essays about culinary traditions and experiences.

Throughout the text, they explore the barrier-breaking power of food—transforming the relationship between the interviewer and the interviewees—as they sit together at the table, exchanging stories that could illuminate both darkness and hope.

Cultural Revitalization Through Cuisine

Conversations about food serve as a bridge to reconnect with lost lives and traditions—cultural instincts are revealed through poetry and literature incorporated by Kawauchi, highlighting how personal narratives can enhance community resilience and continuity. The book goes beyond mere storytelling, capturing the essence of humanity intertwined with the land.

Ario Kawauchi posits that local narratives do not clash against universal themes but rather embody them through the mediatory implementations of voices that resonate, invoking a sense of togetherness despite isolation—'Alone Together.' For literature and community, the act of sharing a meal transcends boundaries and brings people back together.

The Bunkamura Dumago Literary Award

The Bunkamura Dumago Literary Award carries the legacy of the Parisian Dumago Award. Established in 1990, it seeks to explore innovative and original possibilities in literature without succumbing to authoritarianism or conventional frameworks. Each year, the award is decided by a different committee member, and the next year's selection for the 36th award will be helmed by Hiroshi Aramata.

For further details about the awards and past winners, visit the Bunkamura website: Bunkamura Dumago Literary Awards.