The First Paragraphs of a New Story by Akutagawa Prize Winning Author with Disabilities, Saou Ichikawa

Saou Ichikawa was born in 1979. Diagnosed in childhood with congenital myopathy, a rare disease that causes muscle weakness, and has used a ventilator since age 14. Ichikawa graduated in March 2023 from Waseda University’s School of Human Sciences correspondence program. Her thesis “The Reciprocal Influence Between the Representation of Disabled People and Real Society” won the Ono Azusa Memorial Academic Prize. Her debut novel “Hunchback” won the 169th Akutagawa Prize in July 2023. Her most recent book, to be published in September 2025 is “A Girl’s Spine”. Episode notes: ‘Akutagawa Prize Winning Author with Disabilities, Saou Ichikawa, Offers View on ‘Co-existence’ in Japan [Podcast Episode]’: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/09/15/akutagawa-prize-winning-author-with-disabilities-saou-ichikawa-offers-view-on-co-existence-in-japan-podcast-episode/