Writing Tsuji published his first novel,
Pianissimo in 1989. His debut work won the 13th Subaru Prize for Literature (Subaru Bungaku Sho) in 1990. In 1997, he was awarded the 116th Akutagawa Prize for
Kaikyo no Hikari (Light from the Straits). In 1999, he was awarded the Prix Femina Award, a prestigious French literary prize, in the foreign novel category, for the French translation of
Le Boudda blanc (
The White Buddha, or
Hakubutsu, published by Mercure de France). He is the first Japanese writer to win the Prix Femina Award. In 2003, his seven short stories were published in the French literary magazine
Je Bouquine. In 2005, he was selected by French literary magazine
LIRE as one of the world’s 50 prospective novelists. In 2005, his serial novel was featured in the South Korean newspaper
The Hankyoreh. Tsuji is the first Japanese native novelist to have his work published in The Hankyoreh. In 2011, Tsuji wrote a children’s book called
In Rapet’s World dedicated to children who were struck by the
2011 Tōhoku earthquake.
Film In the 1980s, Tsuji started producing independent films through his college’s movie club. In 1999, his directorial debut,
Sennen-Tabito (for which he did the direction, screenwriting, and music) was presented as an official invitation film for the 56th International Critic week of the
Venice Film Festival. In 2001, his movie
Hotoke (director, writer, and music) was presented as an official selection in the 51st
Berlin International Film Festival, in the Panorama section. In the same year,
Hotoke was presented to the
Deauville Asian Film Festival, in the Competition section, and won best image award. The film was featured in the 27th
Seattle International Film Festival. In 2002, his movie
Filament (director, screenwriter, music) was submitted to the 37th Czech
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Official Selection Competition section and awarded the International Ecumenical Jury of the Christian Churches. Tsuji also wrote and directed a TV movie titled
Mokka no Koibito in 2002. In summer 2008, his other movie
Acacia was produced; it was presented at the 22nd
Tokyo International Film Festival in the Competition section in 2009. In 2010, his movie
Paris Tokyo Paysage was produced and submitted to the 7th
Festival du cinéma japonais contemporain Kinotayo (2012-2013) and awarded the
Prix de la meilleure image (best cinematography).
Painting Tsuji began oil painting in the 1970s while he was still in high school and used the barn at his home as a gallery to showcase his works. His creations, which combine painting, photography, and writing, led to the development of a unique composition in his oil paintings. Tsuji later established a studio in Normandy and began painting the region's landscapes. His distinctive pictorial style was noticed and appreciated by the Japanese painter
Hiroshi Senju, which helped to bring Tsuji's work to the attention of the general public. Official web gallery ==Works==