Japanese children’s author Kazuo Iwamura, father of “The Mouse Family”, has died

The Japanese author has seduced 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 L’école des Loisirs, Wednesday January 22.

Kazuo Iwamura lived with his family in Mashiko, a village about a hundred kilometers north of Tokyo. “It is in the middle of the woods that the settings and characters that populate his albums took shape, imbued with gentleness and tenderness”specifies the press release. Kazuo Iwamura was a “ambassador of the Japanese art of living”underlined Arthur Hubschmid, editor at L’école des Loisirs, in the preface to the collection The 4 seasons of the Mouse family, published in 2013.

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

With The Mouse Familyhe has won over young readers around the world, presenting the adventures of this adorable family of rodents in a series of albums.

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

Kazuo Iwamura was decorated in December 2014 with the insignia of Knight of Arts and Letters, “recognition of his exceptional work and lasting influence in the world of illustration.”