Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto will receive Japan’s Order of Culture next month, becoming the first video game developer to be honored with the country’s highest cultural award. The Emperor of Japan will present the award during a ceremony on November 3, which is observed as Culture Day, a national holiday.
First Game Developer Selected for Highest Honor
The Japanese government named Miyamoto as one of eight recipients this year, according to reports from Yahoo Entertainment and IGN on October 23. The Order of Culture, established in 1937, recognizes individuals deemed to have made outstanding contributions to the development of culture across sciences, literature, and the arts. Previous recipients include film director Akira Kurosawa, fashion designer Issey Miyake, and Godzilla composer Akira Ifukube. GamesIndustry.biz reported that Miyamoto was selected in the Media Arts (Gaming) category, citing Japanese outlet GameWatch via Automaton.
Miyamoto Reflects on Five Decades in an Undefined Medium
“I feel incredibly awkward but truly honored to be selected for such a prestigious award,” Miyamoto told the press on October 23. The 73-year-old designer joined Nintendo in 1977 and played a formative role in the company’s pivot to video games. He is famous for creating the Mario franchise, with the character first appearing in 1981’s Donkey Kong, and for key roles in The Legend of Zelda and Star Fox series.
“50 years ago, I became involved in video games, a medium whose form was still very undefined, and I have been fortunate to continue in this line of work ever since,” Miyamoto said. He added that his longevity since the dawn of the industry likely factored into the selection, noting he has been “incredibly lucky in life.”
Credit Shared With Collaborators Across Fields
Miyamoto emphasized that the achievement was not his alone. “As I often point out, I don’t create games on my own. This award is the result of working together with a great number of people, so I will accept it on their behalf,” he stated. He referenced recent work with people from different fields, including the Super Nintendo World attractions at Universal Studios and films like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. “I’d like to share the joy of this award with everyone,” he added.
Ceremony Set for Culture Day
The Emperor will present the awards in person at the Imperial Palace on November 3, consistent with the order’s tradition since its establishment. According to Wikipedia, the Order of Culture is one of the few decorations conferred by the Emperor directly. The ceremony takes place annually on Culture Day, a holiday celebrating Japan’s cultural heritage. Miyamoto currently serves as Nintendo’s Executive Fellow and Representative Director. He previously received Japan’s Person of Cultural Merit award in 2019 for contributions that elevated the Japanese games industry globally.
Historical Context and Award Distinctions
The Order of Culture was established on February 11, 1937, by Emperor Hirohito to honor individuals making outstanding contributions to Japan’s art, literature, science, technology, or culture. Unlike most other Japanese honors, this decoration has only one class and is conferred directly by the Emperor in person during ceremonies held annually on Culture Day. Recipients of the Order of Culture also receive an annuity for life, a benefit not shared by many other orders.
This distinction places Miyamoto’s honor alongside the highest ranks of the Order of the Rising Sun, the Order of the Sacred Treasure, and the Order of the Precious Crown. The Emperor personally bestows these specific decorations by hand, marking them as unique among Japanese imperial honors. While Yuji Horii was previously included in autumn honours lists for receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette last November, Miyamoto remains the first game developer to receive the Order of Culture specifically.
The award recognizes a broad scope of achievement, covering everything from sciences to literature and the arts. Previous well-known recipients include film director Akira Kurosawa, fashion designer Issey Miyake, and Godzilla composer Akira Ifukube. By selecting Miyamoto in the Media Arts (Gaming) category, the government acknowledges his pivotal role in elevating the Japanese games industry globally since he joined Nintendo in 1977.
Sources
- Nintendo Legend Shigeru Miyamoto Becomes First Game Designer to Be Awarded Japan's Order of Culture
- 'I Feel Incredibly Awkward but Truly Honored' — Nintendo Legend Shigeru Miyamoto Is the First Game Developer to Receive Japan's Order of Culture
- Nintendo veteran Shigeru Miyamoto to receive Japan's Order of Culture award
Photo: Minister's Secretariat Personnel Division (CC BY 4.0)
