Lynne Miyake, of Pomona "The Six Faces of Genji: Manga Versions of The Tale of Genji "
The Six Faces of Genji: Manga
Versions of The Tale of Genji
by
Lynne Miyake, Ph.D.
Chair of the Department of Asian Languages & Literatures at Pomona College
Just after WW II the renown mangaka artist Tezuka Osamu began sketching his groundbreaking stories in word and image. Little did he know that they would transform the world of popular culture and help trigger a revolution to the tune of 1.9 billion at its peak production in 1995. Little did he know that they would permeate every aspect of Japanese life, teaching people to bank, instructing new employees on how to make estimates for sewer repairs.
In this milieu manga versions of classical and modern works would be a given. And so they are. In fact one such classic, the 11th C The Tale of Genji, about a wonderfully elegant, romantic hero par excellence and his progeny, has spawned over 20 versions—from instructional tomes for children to shôjo girls, ladies comics, and gag introductory manga. I hope to introduce you to several of these graphic novels, exploring their richness, their special vision, and their contemporary “take” on a beloved tale.
These will include 1) an elegant one-volume rendition, entitled The Illustrated Tale of Genji: A Classic Japanese Romance (1989) by veteran manga artist Tsuboi Koh; 2) a three-volume Genji monogatari (1996-97) by Kyûshu artist Hasegawa Hôsei; 3) an unorthodox rendition by humorist Akatsuka Fujio of The Genius Dummy fame (1983); 4) a wonderfully inventive Ôzukami Genji monogatari maro, n? (2002) by award winning Koizumi Yoshihiro; 5) an exquisite bestseller Asaki yume mishi (1980-2000) in thirteen volumes by Yamato Waki; and 6) an “Eropop” casting of Genji (2000-05) in graphic detail by the ever controversial Egawa Tatsuya.