Pioneering Novelist Saou Ichikawa Breaks Ground for Disabled Authors in Japan

Saou Ichikawa, the first severely disabled author to win Japan's Akutagawa Prize, uses her literary success and the recognition of her novel "Hunchback" to highlight the struggles and invisibility of people with disabilities in society.

When Saou Ichikawa was announced as the winner of the prestigious Akutagawa Prize in July 2023, she not only celebrated her victory but also made history as Japan’s first severely disabled novelist to achieve this honor. The 45-year-old writer, who has congenital myopathy and relies on a wheelchair and ventilator, demonstrated resilience and determination as she ascended the award stage with the help of a ramp. Her win was a symbolic breakthrough for visibility and representation of disabled persons in Japanese literature.

Ichikawa’s achievement drew attention to a broader issue— the lack of representation of authors with disabilities in Japan. In her prize-winning novel “Hunchback,” she articulates the feelings of isolation faced by many disabled individuals in society, raising critical questions about the presence and voices of disabled authors in the literary landscape. "I wrote this novel thinking that it is a problem that there were few authors with disabilities,” she stated, pressing a button on her larynx to speak due to her condition.

Her journey to becoming an author has not been easy. Ichikawa was removed from traditional schooling at age 13 after she began using a ventilator. Nevertheless, she pursued writing throughout her 20s, creating over 30 pulp romance and fantasy stories aimed at young readers, all of which received rejection from publishers. Despite these setbacks, she drew strength from her experiences, channeling them into her fiction and advocating for greater recognition of disabled voices.

Ichikawa's groundbreaking win is a testament to her formidable spirit and her mission to challenge the societal norms that have historically marginalized disabled individuals. As she inspires a new generation of writers from all backgrounds, her success beckons a collective reflection on why the representation of people with disabilities in literature has been so scarce.