Rieko Nakagawa, the celebrated children's author behind the iconic Guri and Gura series, passed away on October 14 at the age of 89 due to natural causes. Her funeral was held privately with family, and a public memorial is yet to be scheduled, according to Fukuinkan Shoten, the publisher of her works.

Nakagawa, who began her writing career while working at a nursery school, debuted in 1962 with Iya Iya En, and later co-created the beloved Guri and Gura series with her sister, illustrator Yuriko Yamawaki (who passed away in 2022). The publisher shared the news on Instagram, along with images of Nakagawa and her works, including Sora Iro no Tane and Iya Iya En, reflecting on her contributions to children's literature. Guri and Gura, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, has remained a beloved classic for generations of readers.

Nakagawa was born on September 29, 1935, in Sapporo, Hokkaido. After working as a nursery school teacher, she published numerous children's books and essays. Her debut, Iya Iya En, won several prestigious awards, including the Minister of Health and Welfare Prize and the Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award. She also received the Mainichi Publishing Culture Award in 1980 for Koinu no Roku ga Yattekita. Nakagawa’s bibliography includes beloved titles such as Kaeru no Eruta, Momoiro no Kirin, Sora Iro no Tane, and the Guri and Gura series, as well as the essay collection Ehon to Watashi.

According to Fukuinkan Shoten, Guri and Gura has sold over 5.71 million copies, with the latest edition marking the 250th print run. The entire series, consisting of 22 books, has sold over 22.3 million copies. Additionally, Iya Iya En has reached its 151st edition, with over 2.08 million copies sold, while Sora Iro no Tane has reached 1.39 million copies across 131 editions.

Source : ORICON NEWS