日本語

Iku Okada (岡田育) is a Japanese writer, based in New York City. Since her literary debut in 2014, Iku has published six narrative essays and one co-authored book. Some of these writings have been translated into multiple languages. The newest book “Ware Ha Obasan (Becoming Obasan)” was published in the second edition by Shueisha, in 2024.

Originally from Tokyo, Iku began her career as a magazine and book editor, then became known as a cultural critic through X/Twitter. Iku is a series contributor for the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and frequently appears in other media, including TV news shows, Netflix documentaries, and kimono magazines. After graduating from Parsons School of Design in 2017, Iku has also worked as a graphic designer.

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ABOUT

BOOKS

Becoming Obasan

我は、おばさん

“We women have been stigmatized for years, but this book will be a big salvation of our title Obasan.” — Endorsed by Mariko Yamauchi, novelist

The seventh and newest narrative essay is about becoming an adult woman with a pro-aging mind. In Japanese, Obasan means “aunt” or “middle-aged lady,” and this term has been used disrespectfully as “You are worthless because you are not young anymore.” But we all are getting old equally, and becoming ourselves much more than youth days. The middle is the high season, the edgy peak, and the most interesting time of life. So what prevents us women from being mature? This book fights against a society full of ageism and misogyny, and the final aim is to get back this title “Obasan” to ourselves positively.

From The Sarashina Diary (a memoir written in Japan 1000 years ago) to Mad Max Fury Road, this book introduces literature, manga, movies, and more, to re-define the term Obasan. Included a post-talk with Jane Su the columnist.

1st edition: Shueisha, Japan, 2021
2nd edition: Shueisha, Japan, 2024
ISBN-13 : 978-4-08-771747-1

Every Herstory is Double A-sided

女の節目は両Ａ面

The sixth book of narrative essay is about every woman’s milestones. The book was designed as a double A-sided opening to depict both the future and the past.

TAC Publishing, Japan, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-4813295211

What I’ve Quit Before 40

40歳までにコレをやめる

The fifth book of a narrative essay is about 39 things I quit before turning 40; wearing high-heels every day, saying sorry too often, or living in my home country Japan. Thrilled to announce that “Quit Before 40” will be translated into Korean and published in South Korea.

40歳までにコレをやめる

Sunmark Publishing, Japan, 2019
ISBN-13: 978-47631376096

나를 둘러싼 모든 것들로부터
마흔에는 홀가분해지고 싶다

Uknow Books, South Korea, 2020
ISBN : 13979-1189279905

Eavesdropping between Heaven and Hell

天国飯と地獄耳

The fifth book of a narrative essay is about 39 things I quit before turning 40; wearing high-heels every day, saying sorry too often, or living in my home country Japan. Thrilled to announce that “Quit Before 40” will be translated into Korean and published in South Korea.

The fourth book of a narrative essay is about “eavesdropping” at eating places –– how we talk and reveal ourselves while dining. Thrilled to announce that “Eavesdropping Between Heaven And Hell” will be translated into Traditional Chinese and published by Willfulpub in Taiwan.

我很高興地宣布我的書 “天國飯與地獄耳：偷聽，揭露我們與惡的距離。鄰桌的故事越罪惡，食物越美味，我們都犯此不疲。” 將被翻譯成繁體中文，並由台灣的任性出版。我們要感謝 翻譯 黃雅慧先生 與 推薦序 李柏青先生 以及所有參與本書的人。

天国飯と地獄耳

Kino Books, Japan, 2018
ISBN-13: 978-4909689016

天國飯與地獄耳

Willful Publishers(任性出版), Taiwan, 2020
ISBN : 139789869858939

OKAKIMOCHI
hedonics and masculinity of Japan

オトコのカラダはキモチいい

Co-authored book with Hitoshi Nimura and Junko Kaneda.

1st edition : Kadokawa, Japan, 2015
2nd edition : Kadokawa, Japan, 2017
ISBN-13: 978-4040674209

We Didn’t Mean To Get Married

嫁へ行くつもりじゃなかった

The second book of a narrative essay is about my marriage without/against romantic love ideology, and how to get a new family on our own.

Daiwa Shobo, Japan, 2014
ISBN-13: 978-4479392644

Mine Has Been A Life of Much Margin

ハジの多い人生

The very first book of the narrative essay was written about myself, especially my teenage days in 1990s Tokyo. The title was taken from the incipit of “No Longer Human” by Osamu Dazai. He started with the line “Mine has been a life of much shame(=haji)” but I started mine like this; “Some people may say shame on me but I never think so. Being a geek girl, loving to read and write, expressing myself loudly on social media, fighting against bullying and sexual harassment, and booing at patriarchism, are not shame-ful or shame-less. Mine has been a life of much margin(=haji) and I dearly love it.”

1st edition: Shinshokan, Japan, 2014
2nd edition: Bungei Shunju, Japan, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-4-16-791484-4
Midnight Asia : Eat, Dance, Dream

I took part as a navigator of S1 EP1 Tokyo nightlife. It’s still tough time to spend nights together or even shoot a film about it, but hope you’ll enjoy this virtual-n-realistic Asian tour with us. (2021/01/20 Netflix, Joe Evans)
https://www.netflix.com/title/81134160
https://www.youtube.com/embed/hZnQFUyQ8s0

Other Appearance

MEDIA