Johann Heinrich Brinckmann: born The Hague 16 February 1932; died Fukuoka, Japan 7 September 2026
A Fond Farewell to Hans Brinckmann
by Hiromi Mizoguchi
October 2026
Hans Brinckmann passed away peacefully on 7 September at his home in Fukuoka. He was 94.
He had always made it clear to me that he did not want any life-support measures.
I was sitting right next to him when he took his last breath—a moment that was quiet, tender, and natural.
I first met Hans through the Japan Society in London in the spring of 2001. I had been working with him as his translator of his works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and essays ever since. He was not just a gifted writer; over our 25 years of working together, he was my delightful teammate and my soulmate.
His final essay, entitled 'Shimaoka Ken - Poet, Zen practitioner and important friend,' was published in the literary magazine Atlas (No. 54) at the end of July this year. Hans was absolutely thrilled to have a copy of the magazine in his hands. It is about his friendship with a Japanese poet in Kyoto in 1957, and a surprise visit last summer from the poet's great-granddaughter, who lives in Australia
Hans will be sorely missed by so many, including myself, who held him in such great and affectionate regard. Hans's passing should bring not only grief but gratitude - gratitude for his words, for his wisdom, for his remarkable life and for his generosity in sharing it all.
Hans is thrilled to see his essay in Hiromi's Japanese translation in Atlas magazine (No. 54) on 27 July 2026
Hans and Hiromi celebrate the publication of Monkey dance yokocho no shonen - Oranda jin ga kataru Senso, Yujo, Showa no hitobito ("The boy from the Monkey Dance - Tales of War, Friendship and People of the Showa era as told by a Dutchman") on 3 February 2025
Hans holds the certificate of commendation stating that Watashi to Nihon no Nanaju-nen: Oranda jin ginkouka no kaisouki, written by Hans Brinckmann, has won First Prize in the 26th Japan Self-Publishing Culture Awards in the category "Best Essay Writing." It is Hiromi’s translation of Hans's memoir The Call of Japan - A Continuing Story 1950 to the Present Day.
Together with Ms Chinatsu Nakayama (Representative Director) and Mr Kenichi Fujino (Judge), Hans and Hiromi overjoy at the award ceremony on 11 November 2023
The important things I discovered in Japan by Hans Brinckmann