The Japanese youth author Kazuo Iwamura, father of “the mouse family”, died

The Japanese author has attracted several generations of young readers with his series which narrates the adventures of a large family of mice.

Japanese author-illustrator Kazuo Iwamura died on December 19, 2024, at the age of 85, at his home, surrounded by his family, announced his French publisher for leisure school, Wednesday January 22.

Kazuo Iwamura lived with his family in Mashiko, a village a hundred kilometers north of Tokyo. “It is in the middle of the woods that the sets and characters were emerging which populate his albums, imbued with sweetness and tenderness”said the press release. Kazuo Iwamura was a “Japanese art of life ambassador”underlined Arthur Hubschmid, publisher at the school of leisure, in the preface to the collection The 4 seasons of the mouse family, Posted in 2013.

Kazuo Iwamura was born in Tokyo in 1939. After working as an illustrator for childish programs of the NHK, Japanese television, then as a designer, he then devoted himself exclusively to children’s literature.

With The Souris familyhe conquered young readers from around the world, declining in a series of albums the adventures of this adorable family of rodents.

“His disappearance leaves an immense void in the world of illustration and children’s literature, but his work will continue to live in the hearts of children and adults who have had the chance to discover his stories”concludes the press release.

Kazuo Iwamura was decorated in December 2014 by the badge of knight of arts and letters, “Recognition of his exceptional work and his lasting influence in the world of illustration”.