Toshio Shimao (1917-1986) was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa. In 1948, he published Tandoku Ryokosha (Lone Traveller), which caught attention. His wife started having an emotional disorder while he had an extramarital affair. He then wrote Shi no Toge (The Sting of Death) derived from his own marriage life. This novel is considered to be a masterpiece of Japan's postwar literature.

1961 Ministry of Education Award for Art, for Shi no Toge (The Sting of Death)

1972 Mainichi Publishing Culture Prize, for Garasu Shoji no Shiruetto (Silhouette of Glass Sliding Door)

1977 Tanizaki Jun'ichiro Prize, for Hi no Utsuroi (The Passing Days)

1983 Kawabata Yasunari Literary Prize, for Wannai no Irie de (In the Bay Estuary)

1985 Noma Literary Prize, for Gyorai tei Gakusei (Student on the Torpedo Boat)