Abstract
Abstract This paper examines Japan’s quest for the Nobel Prize in Literature as a narrative “before” winning, and its aftereffect as a narrative “after” winning. It first draws from archival material to discuss the roles of diplomacy, the context of Cold War politics and translation techniques in Kawabata Yasunari’s win. Next, it explores how Oe Kenzaburo responded to the negative acceptance of his win in Japan, referring to the court decision on record and Oe’s manuscripts. Overall, this paper shows that the stereotypically held belief that laureates are commended solely for their literary superiority, and are therefore revered in their home countries, does not fully describe the complicated reality.
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