Showa 1926-1939: A History of Japan by Shigeru Mizuki
Posted: January 5, 2015 Filed under: Books, Comic, Documentary | Tags: Books, Comic, English, Japan, Shigeru Mizuki, Showa Leave a comment
Volume 1 of Mizuki’s fast forwarding epic about both Japan’s history and his own childhood is entertaining. For a reader lacking even basic information on Japan’s history, it shows the imperialist, aggressive and militarist Japan, guided by false high ideas and ideals. I guess I never knew they had that many attempted coups in just a few years.
What I am certain of – I think Mizuki is willing to diminish or somehow not focus too much on some of the crimes of his people in those years leading to the big war – the rape of Nanjing, for instance, deserved just a page, and that page was not graphic enough for my taste.
His childhood stories, though, are much more easy-going and fun. Oh well. Let’s see what volume 2 brings.
The 47 Ronin by Sean Michael Wilson and Akiko Shimojima
Posted: February 8, 2014 Filed under: Comic | Tags: Akiko Shimojima, Comic, English, Japan, Ronin, Samurai, Sean Michael Williams Leave a comment
The book is so-and-so, chewing gum. I guess I wouldn't mind watching the movie – though, I guess, it would be chewing gum as well.
