Biography
Funazaki was born to a wealthy family in Tokyo. After graduating from Gakushuin University in 1968, he worked as a songwriter, screenwriter, and illustrator while working in a real estate company. In 1969, while he had leave of absence, he and Yasuko Funazaki, his wife, started to write a nonsense tale, Tonkachi to Hanashōgun (トンカチと花将軍, The Hammer and the Flowery General?). In 1971, he resigned from the company and made his debut as a novelist.
In 1973, he wrote Poppen Sensei no Nichiyōbi (ぽっぺん先生の日曜日, The Sunday of Professor Poppen?). The next year, the second novel of this series, Poppen Sensei to Kaerazu no Numa (ぽっぺん先生と帰らずの沼, Professor Poppen and the Swamp of No Return?) won Akaitori Bungaku Shō (赤い鳥文学賞, The Redbird Literary Prize?).
His autobiographical Ame no Dōbutsuen (雨の動物園, The Rainy Zoo?) won Sankei Jidō Shuppan Bunka Shō (The Sankei Child Books Publishing and Culture Award) in 1975, and was selected as "Honor List" of Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1976 respectively. In 1976, Anoko ga Mieru (あのこがみえる, I can see that girl?) was nominated for the Graphic Award at the Bologna International Book Fair.
In 1983, Q wa sekaiichi (Q はせかいいち, Q is best in the world?) won Sankei Jidō Shuppan Bunka Shō. In 1984, Hakamadare (はかまだれ?) won Ehon Nippon Shō (絵本にっぽん賞, Japanese Picture Books Prize?). In 1986, Kazehiki Tamago (かぜひきたまご, Coughing Eggs?) won Sankei Jidō Shuppan Bunka Shō.
In 1989, Poppen Sensei series won Robō no Ishi Bungakushō (路傍の石文学賞, The Roadside Stone Literary Prize?).
Funazaki now lives in Mitaka, Tokyo.
Read more about this topic: Yoshihiko Funazaki
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