SHIBANO, Takumi

(1926-)

   Japanese writer, translator and critic. TS began writing sf as Rei Kozumi while a high-school mathematics teacher - a job he quit in 1977 to become a full-time translator; he published his first short story in 1951. Later, 1969-75, he published 3 sf juveniles, including Hokkyoku-ShiNo Hanran ("Revolt in North-Pole City") (1977). But his influence on Japanese sf was more in his work as editor and publisher of the widely circulated Uchujin (1957-current), the first Japanese FANZINE, in which many stories by later-prominent sf writers - such as Sakyo KOMATSU - were published; it reached \#190 in 1991 and continues to introduce new writers. One of the most prominent figures in the Japanese sf community, TS hasreceived many sf awards; the "Takumi Shibano Award", given since 1982 to people who have performed generous work in fandom, was named after him. As a translator he has specialized in HARD SF: most of Larry NIVEN's books as well as works by James P. HOGAN, Poul ANDERSON, Hal CLEMENT and many more - about 50 books in all. TS has also ed 2 anthologies of stories fromUchujin, the first in 3 vols (1977) and the second in 2 (1987). He wrote the entry on JAPAN in this encyclopedia.

   PN