The is a Japanese literary award given by publishing company Kawade Shobà  Shinsha. It was first awarded in 1962. The award is intended to recognize new writers, and several famous Japanese writers have won the award, but many Bungei Prize winners have not achieved any further literary recognition.
For the first two years in 1962 and 1963, awards were given in dramatic works, short and medium stories, and long works categories. From 1964, all works were judged in a single category. In 1965 no prize selection process was held, thus 1964 is the third award, and 1966 is the fourth. In 1967 and 2010 no works were judged worthy of the award. In 1968, due to the bankruptcy of Kawade Shobà  ShinshaIn, the sixth award was delayed by one year until 1969. In 1969, the selected winner, Nakano Shuhei, refused to accept the award.
Kawade Shobà  Shinsha maintains a complete official list of winning works.