Meisei Goto (1932-1999) was born in Kumya County, North Korea. While studying at Waseda University, his novel, Aka to Kuro no Kiroku (Record of Red and Black) was selected in the student literary competition run by he literary magazine Bungei. After graduating, he worked for Hakuhodo, a major advertisement agency, and Heibon Shuppan (now Magazine House). He is one of the most representative authors of so-called ‘Introverted Generation.'

1977 Hirabayashi Taiko Literary Prize, for Yume Katari (Dreams speak)

1981 Tanizaki Jun'ichiro Prize, for Yoshino-dayu (The Courtesan Yoshino)

1989 Ministry of Education and Science Award, for Kubiduka no Ue no Adbaloon (Advertising Balloon over the Mound for Severed Heads)