Obituary – Death – Cause of death News :

Rieko Nakagawa, Author of “Guri and Gura” Picture Book Series, Passes Away at 89

The world of children’s literature has lost a beloved author with the passing of Rieko Nakagawa, the creative mind behind the popular picture book series featuring twin mice, “Guri and Gura.” Nakagawa, who was 89 years old, breathed her last due to old age at a hospital in Tokyo on Monday morning, as confirmed by Fukuinkan Shoten Publishers Inc.

Hailing from Sapporo in Japan’s northern main island of Hokkaido, Nakagawa’s literary journey began while she was working as a nursery school teacher. In 1962, she published her first children’s book, “No No Nursery School,” which introduced readers to the adventures of a nursery school boy named Shigeru.

However, it was her creation of “Guri and Gura” in 1963 that truly captured the hearts of children and adults alike. The series has been translated into 14 languages, reaching readers in 13 countries and regions beyond Japan, with a particularly strong following in China and South Korea.

Collaborating closely with Nakagawa was her younger sister and illustrator, Yuriko Yamawaki, who also used her maiden name, Yuriko Omura. Together, the sisters received the prestigious Kikuchi Kan Prize in 2013 for their exceptional contributions to nurturing creativity and imagination in young minds through their enchanting stories.

Tragically, Yamawaki passed away at the age of 80 in September 2022 due to an immune system disorder, marking another loss in the literary world. Despite their physical absence, the legacy of Rieko Nakagawa and Yuriko Yamawaki lives on through the timeless tales they shared with generations of readers worldwide.

Who was Rieko Nakagawa?

Rieko Nakagawa was a renowned author of the long-selling picture book series featuring twin mice “Guri and Gura.” She passed away at the age of 89, as announced by the publisher of many of her books, Fukuinkan Shoten Publishers Inc. (Source: Mainichi)

What were Nakagawa’s early years like?

Born in 1935 in Sapporo, Japan’s northern main island of Hokkaido, Nakagawa began her writing career while working as a nursery school teacher. She published her first children’s book, “No No Nursery School,” in 1962, which depicted stories of a nursery school boy named Shigeru. (Source: Mainichi)

What was the impact of “Guri and Gura” on the literary world?

“Guri and Gura,” which debuted in 1963, had a significant impact on children’s literature. The book series has been translated into 14 languages, published in 13 different countries and regions outside of Japan, and is especially popular in China and South Korea. Nakagawa’s work has touched the hearts of many young readers worldwide. (Source: Mainichi)

Who was Yuriko Yamawaki, and what was her role in Nakagawa’s work?

Yuriko Yamawaki, Nakagawa’s younger sister and illustrator, played a crucial role in bringing the stories of “Guri and Gura” to life. Working under her maiden name, Yuriko Omura, she not only illustrated “Guri and Gura” but also contributed to many other stories by Nakagawa. The sisters received the Kikuchi Kan Prize in 2013 for their collaborative efforts in cultivating sensitivity and imagination among children. (Source: Mainichi)

What was the tragic event that affected Nakagawa’s family?

In a tragic turn of events, Yuriko Yamawaki passed away at the age of 80 in September 2022 due to an immune system disorder. Her death marked a significant loss in the literary world, as she had been an integral part of Nakagawa’s creative endeavors. The legacy of the sisters’ collaborative work continues to live on through their timeless stories. (Source: Mainichi)