The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC) mourns the loss of renowned Japanese literature scholar Donald Keene, University Professor Emeritus and Shinchō Professor Emeritus of Columbia University, and recognizes his unprecedented contribution to the study of Japan. Prof. Keene died in Tokyo on February 24, 2019 at the age of 96.

Donald Keene awards the JUSFC Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature

Prof. Keene’s writings and translations have inspired generations of students with an interest in Japan. His career as a writer spanned approximately 25 books in English, including translated works, and 30 books in Japanese. He is best known for his translations of dozens of works of classical and modern Japanese literature, and for winning global recognition for the translation of the 11th century Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu.

Prof. Keene earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1949. He taught at Cambridge University before returning to Columbia in 1955, where he taught for more than 50 years. In 2008, he became the first non-Japanese to receive the Order of Culture from Government of Japan in recognition of his contribution to literature.

JUSFC is proud to continue Donald Keene’s legacy through the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature administered by the  Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture at Columbia University.  To learn more about the life and career of Donald Keene, please visit The Donald Keene Center

.