More than four decades after introducing young readers to the fictional witch Kiki, Japanese children’s author Eiko Kadono continues to write daily, maintaining a literary career that has produced around 200 books while advocating the enduring importance of reading and imagination. At the age of 91, Kadono remains active from her home in Kamakura, where she says her commitment to storytelling has remained unchanged despite the passage of time.

Kadono is best known internationally for Kiki’s Delivery Service, first published in Japan in 1985. The novel gained worldwide recognition after its adaptation into an animated feature by Studio Ghibli in 1989 under the direction of Hayao Miyazaki. The story has since become one of Japan’s most recognizable works of children’s literature, introducing generations of readers and viewers to a coming-of-age tale centered on a young witch learning independence while navigating life in an unfamiliar town.

Speaking from her residence in the coastal city of Kamakura, south of Tokyo, Kadono said writing continues to be part of her everyday routine. Although climbing stairs has become more difficult with age, she said her enthusiasm for creating stories has not diminished. She continues to draft ideas by hand before transferring them to a computer keyboard, entering text deliberately one key at a time.

According to Kadono, visual storytelling remains central to her creative process. She explained that she aims to write in a way that enables readers to form clear mental images while reading. Alongside writing, she continues to produce illustrations as part of developing her stories.

Her home reflects many of the personal interests that have become closely associated with her public image. The residence features books throughout its rooms, pink furnishings and a collection of animal figurines. Kadono, who has often described herself as retaining a childlike outlook, continues to wear brightly colored clothing and her signature bold-framed glasses. She said the smocks she regularly wears are designed by her daughter, with practical features such as elastic sleeves that can easily be rolled up while writing.

Kadono spoke openly about aging, acknowledging that she now wears a wig while expressing little concern about discussing it publicly. She also noted that although her writing style has evolved over the years, the fundamental approach to storytelling has remained consistent. Looking back at earlier works, she believes they contain more descriptive language than her more recent writing, which she characterizes as more concise.

The original Japanese Kiki’s Delivery Service series consists of six main books and three related spin-off titles. While the series has been available to Japanese readers for decades, the first volume was published in English translation in 2020 by Delacorte Press. According to the publisher, the books have now been translated into 25 languages, expanding Kadono’s readership well beyond Japan.

The international publication of the series is continuing with the scheduled English-language release of the second volume, Kiki and the New Magic, in August. The edition has been translated by Emily Balistrieri and illustrated by Yuta Onoda, reflecting continuing interest in Kadono’s work among English-speaking readers.

Kadono’s literary career developed through an unconventional path. Rather than beginning as a professional writer, she said she initially focused on family life after marrying a designer and raising a daughter. A two-year stay in Brazil during her thirties marked a turning point. She was invited to write about her experiences abroad, an assignment that introduced her to writing as a creative activity rather than a profession pursued out of obligation.

That experience led to the gradual development of her career as an author. According to Kadono, the enjoyment she found in writing became the primary motivation for continuing to produce books, rather than external expectations or commercial considerations.

The inspiration for her best-known character originated within her own family. Kadono said her daughter created a drawing at the age of 12 depicting a young witch flying on a broomstick toward the moon. The illustration became the foundation for Kiki, whom Kadono developed into a young protagonist embarking on an independent journey accompanied by her black cat, Jiji. The resulting story evolved into one of Japan’s most successful works of children’s fiction.

Kadono’s contribution to children’s literature has received international recognition. In 2018, she was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Award, one of the world’s most respected honors in children’s literature. The award recognizes authors whose complete body of work has made a lasting contribution to literature for young readers.

Interest in Kadono’s literary legacy has also extended beyond publishing. In 2023, Kiki’s Museum of Literature opened in Tokyo, celebrating both her work and children’s literature more broadly. The museum displays extensive collections of books alongside merchandise inspired by Kadono’s creations, including clothing, mugs and other items reflecting the visual identity associated with her stories. Exhibits also include works by other authors, placing her contributions within the wider tradition of children’s literature.

According to information displayed within the museum, Kadono’s fantasy writing has attracted readers across linguistic and cultural boundaries while receiving international recognition. Museum exhibits emphasize the global reach of her fictional worlds and their appeal to both children and adults.

Visitors continue to engage with her work across generations. During a recent museum visit, five-year-old Tsukiko Fukuda expressed enthusiasm for the books and shared Kadono’s appreciation for the color pink, illustrating the continuing connection between younger readers and the author’s stories decades after their original publication.

Looking ahead, Kadono said she hopes future generations of writers will continue producing high-quality children’s literature capable of inspiring young readers. She believes the current period represents an important moment for children’s reading habits as technological change increasingly shapes leisure activities and entertainment.

According to Kadono, many of the outdoor experiences that previously stimulated children’s imagination, including time spent exploring natural environments, have become less common. At the same time, digital entertainment now competes for children’s attention in ways that were absent when she began writing.

Against that backdrop, she argues that books remain uniquely important in developing creativity and independent thought. Reading, she said, enables people to imagine situations beyond their immediate surroundings while encouraging reflection and original thinking. In her view, those qualities remain essential to human creativity, reinforcing the continuing role of literature even as reading habits evolve in the digital age.