絲山秋子
Born 1966 · Japan
Akutagawa 2005 (second half) · Winner
Oki de matsu
Title translated by AI:“Waiting Offshore”
Akiko Itoyama · 39 when first published
Novella · 108 pages
AI-generated summary:When Futchan, her fellow recruit from the same year's intake, is killed without warning, a woman slips into his flat to honour their pact, in a story of trust and comradeship between colleagues who were never lovers.
Akutagawa 2004 (first half) · Candidate
Kinrō kansha no hi
Title translated by AI:“Labour Thanksgiving Day”
Akiko Itoyama · 38 when first published
Novella · 108 pages
AI-generated summary:Kyoko, jobless, single and in her mid-thirties, lives with her mother; out of duty she agrees to a marriage meeting arranged by Mr Hasegawa, the man who once saved her life, and the suitor proves unbearable.
Akutagawa 2003 (first half) · Candidate
Ittsu onrī tōku
Akiko Itoyama · 37 when first published
Novella · 181 pages
AI-generated summary:Dumped on the morning of her move, a woman settles in Kamata, Tokyo, where her suicidal cousin moves in and her companions include a depressed yakuza, a groper she met online and an old classmate standing for election.
Akutagawa 2003 (second half) · Candidate
Umi no sennin
Title translated by AI:“The Hermit of the Sea”
Akiko Itoyama · 37 when first published
Novel · 154 pages · Love
AI-generated summary:After a lottery win, Kono quits his job and lives quietly by the blue sea at Tsuruga, until a useless god calling himself Fantasy turns up and asks to lodge with him.