かけはし文学賞
めるくかけはしぶんがくしょう
A literary translation prize for German-language works translated into Japanese, jointly organized by the Goethe-Institut Tokyo and Merck KGaA. Known as the Kakehashi Literature Prize since 2019.
- Established
- 2014
- Organizer
- Goethe-Institut Tokyo; Merck KGaA
- Category
- Research, Translation, and Scholarship
- Selection Method
- Selection
- Target
- Professional
- Frequency
- Biennial (every 2 years)
- Status
- Active
Description
The Kakehashi Literature Prize (formerly Merck Kakehashi Literature Prize) is a biennial literary translation award jointly organized by the Goethe-Institut Tokyo and Merck KGaA. It promotes contemporary German-language literature for Japanese readers by recognizing outstanding translators and authors. Established in 2013, the prize awards €10,000 each to the author and the translator. In 2024, the sixth prize was awarded to author Robert Menasse and translator Tomoko Fukuma for 'Die Hauptstadt' (The Capital). A new advancement prize for emerging translators was introduced in 2024.
Prize
- Main Prize
- €10,000 is awarded to each of the author and translator
- Cash Prize
- 10,000 EUR
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review and Selection (Review Committee) | Judges selected by Goethe-Institut Tokyo and Merck KGaA | — | Official announcement by the organizers (Goethe-Institut / Merck announcement) |
Criteria
- Being a Japanese translation of a German original work
- Readability and expressiveness for Japanese readers
- Fidelity and creativity as a translation
Application Tips
Dos
- Respect the original style and intent while enhancing readability in Japanese
- Thoroughly proofread and revise the translation to eliminate typos and errors
- Appropriately add cultural notes where necessary (as needed)
Don''ts
- Cling to literal translation resulting in expressions unintelligible to Japanese readers
- Submit without proofreading or third-party review