One thousand years of manga

Manga has attained phenomenal worldwide success in recent years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. As contemporary as this graphic art form may appear to readers outside of Japan, manga is the fruit of a long artistic tradition. Manga as we know it today took root in Japan centuries ago, and traces can be found in seventh-century temple paintings, folding screens decorated with farcical characters, and painted medieval emaki scrolls. The more familiar manga comics of today echo similar themes, both lighthearted and serious, and draw on narrative forms present in sagas and skits throughout Japan's rich cultural heritage. This book spans the history of manga in all its splendor and diversity. From Hokusai's seminal Manga in 1814 to the onset of the gekiga in the 1950s; from Tezuka Ozamu's landmark Astro Boy to Ikeda Riyoko's Lady Oscar, a shôjo manga aimed at young girls; from samurai legends to the more alternative productions of the review Garo; and from the demons that populate the works of Mizuki Shigeru to the latest creations from Taniguchi Jirô, each period is covered in detail.

One Thousand Years of Manga is both a rich documentary account and a visual delight with over 400 illustrations, many rarely seen outside of Japan. A thorough exploration of the sources of manga, this book makes it possible to understand how this mass-produced cultural artifact-aimed at adults as much as at children-has developed into an essential facet of Japanese culture that is now enjoyed across the globe.