Yoko Tawada

Yoko Tawada (born 1960 in Tokyo) is a Japanese writer. She studied literature in Tokyo and Hamburg and earned a doctorate. In 1979, she first travelled to Europe by Trans-Siberian Railway. Her first literary publications appeared in 1985 and 1986; her first book, “Nur da wo du bist da ist nichts,” was published in Germany in 1987, followed by her first book publication in Japan in 1992. Tawada wrote in German and Japanese and published novels, essays, poetry, short prose and plays. Her notable works include “Talisman,” “Etüden im Schnee,” “Ein Balkonplatz für flüchtige Abende,” “akzentfrei” and “Sendbo-o-te.” Her honours include the Akutagawa Prize, the Goethe Medal, the Kleist Prize and the Carl Zuckmayer Medal. The English translation of “Sendbo-o-te” received the National Book Award for Translated Literature.