Hideo Osabe

Hideo Osabe (長部日出雄, Osabe Hideo, born 3 September 1934) is a Japanese author. He has published novels as well as essays on movies and Osamu Dazai. He won the prestigious Naoki Prize in 1973 for Tsugaru jongara bushi and Tsugaru yosare bushi. He was born in Aomori Prefecture, where Dazai was also born. He also once directed a movie. He was awarded a Medal of Honor (with Purple Ribbon, for contributions to education and culture) from the Japanese government in 2002.