Itoko Koyama

Itoko Koyama (born Ito Ikemoto; July 13, 1901 July 25, 1989) was a Japanese writer. She is best known for her 1956 biography of Empress Kōjun. She was a recipient of both the Fujin Kōron Prize and the Naoki Prize.

Early life and education Koyama was born Ito Ikemoto in Kochi prefecture on July 13, 1901. Her father worked in the Ministry of Agriculture and Trade. While studying at Kyushu Girl's Middle School, she also studied under the poet . After graduation she married Kyūichi Koyama, who worked at a textile mill. They had four children.

Career Koyama's writing career began when she published a short story titled "Matsukichi" in Hi no Tori magazine. When she returned to Japan remarried her ex-husband and continued writing fiction and autobiographical work. Her 1950 story "Shikkō Yūyo" won the Naoki Prize. However, many of her post-war stories that were published in women's magazines were criticized as being formulaic and sentimental.