Yoko Ota

Novelist. Born in Hiroshima City. Graduated from Hiroshima Shintoku Jitsuka Girls' High School. Started out as a regular contributor to "Onna no Geijutsu" (Women's Art), she was known for her autobiographical love stories such as "Ama" (1939), "Wandering Shore" (1939), and "Sakura no Kuni" (1940). However, after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, she changed her style of writing and continued to depict the devastation caused by the bombing. "Shikabane no Machi" (City of Corpses) (1948) is a detailed reportage exposing the atomic bombing by a survivor, and "Half-Human" (1954) is a powerful work that depicts the anguished psychology of the atomic bombing survivors. Her other works include "Ningen Ranru" (Human Rags) (1950-51), both of which are valuable literary testimonies.

[Akiko Esashi]

"Ota Yoko Collection, 4 volumes (1982, Sanichi Shobo)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

小説家。広島市生まれ。広島進徳実科高等女学校卒業。『女人芸術』の常連執筆者として出発し、『海女(あま)』（1939）、『流離の岸』（1939）、『桜の国』（1940）など私小説風の恋愛もので知られた。しかし広島で原爆に被爆してのちは作風を一変させ、ひたすら被爆の惨状を描き続けた。『屍(しかばね)の街』（1948）は体験者による克明な原爆告発ルポルタージュ、『半人間』（1954）は被爆者の苦悩する心理を描いた力作。ほかに『人間襤褸(らんる)』（1950～51）もあり、いずれも貴重な文学的証言。

［江刺昭子］

『『大田洋子集』全四巻（1982・三一書房）』

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