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.<ref Name="sfwj">(ja) SFWJ site</ref><ref name="sfwj-intro">(ja) SFWJ: about</ref>
BiographyEdit
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.<ref name="sfwj-e">(en) SFWJ-E site</ref> 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.<ref name="sfwj" /> 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.<ref>(ja) SFWJ: Winners</ref>
WorksEdit
NovelsEdit
- Chikyū zero nen ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) 1969 Rippu shobo
- Kamui no Ken ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) 1970, Rippu shobo
- Shinsekai yūgekitai ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) 1972 Tsuru shobo seikosha
- Orgami uchūsen no densetsu ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) 1978 Hayakawa shobo
- Karasu no umi ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) 1977 Kadokawa shoten
- 442 rentai sentōdan ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) 1979 Kadokawa shoten
- Jisatsu sensuikan totsugeki seyo ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) 1980 Kadokawa shoten
- Akumu no senjō ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) 1982 Hayakawa shobo
- Kōtei heika no senjō ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) 1983 Kadokawa shoten
- Telepath-gari no wakusei ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) 1992 Hayakawa shobo
- Sōgen wo yuku hansen ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) 1993 Hayakawa shobo
- Sabaku no time-machine ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) 1993 Hayakawa shobo
TranslationsEdit
- 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 novelEdit
- The Dagger of Kamui (Kamui no Ken)