HIDEZO KONDO PRIZE

Joruju Piroshiki Tokyo Smoking Seats Free Section

It is hard to believe that I have won the prize named in memory of cartoonist Hidezo Kondo, who kept a sense of humor and rebelliousness throughout his life. Would people really be considerate to others when they feel like taking a puff even in disastrous circumstances such as a plane crash? I tried to satirize the way some smokers repeatedly fail to observe good manners, such as by smoking on the street.

Joruju Piroshiki

PROFILE

Piroshiki was born in Fukushima in 1965 and now resides in Tokyo. He graduated from Waseda Law School, where he belonged to a cartoon club. He became interested in single-frame cartoons when he came across them in foreign books at used book stores. Since graduation, he has continued to draw cartoons and illustrations while holding down a regular job. He won the Excellence Prize in the 24th Yomiuri International Cartoon Contest.

JUDGE'S COMMENTS

What distinguishes this work is the way he has used an extreme situation to comment on everyday life. The fact that both smokers and nonsmokers all have the same expression makes me laugh. His work is richly deserving of the Hidezo Kondo Prize for its satire and social commentary.

Ryuzan Aki