Sanpei Shirato
Encyclopedia
, known by the pen name , is a Japanese manga artist and essayist known for his social criticism
as well as his realistic drawing style and the characters in his scenarios. He is considered a pioneer of gekiga
. The son of the Japanese proletarian painter Toki Okamoto, his dream to become an artist equal with his father started when he became a Kamishibai
artist. He is also known for his work published in the early issues of the manga anthology magazine Garo
in 1964, which he began publishing so as to serialize his comic Kamui.
. As he grew up he experienced the rancor of the war years, and it is said that these grim emotions come out in the nihilistic society portrayed in his works.
Shirato developed his artistic style through painting picture-card shows (kamishibai
) after finishing middle school at 18. He was influenced by the Ukiyo-e
of the pre-Meiji period, but differed in his portrayal of action in a multi-panel "slow motion" style unique to his manga. His style of action portrayal came from the tension building techniques inherent in the performance aspect of Kami-shibai.
Shirato started his career as a professional manga artist in 1957 with Ninja bugeichō, a historically-based ninja-themed manga that captured the attention of students and intellectuals of the time. The Legend of Kamui
, the first series published in Garo, can be considered his most important manga work. It is the story of Kamui, a ninja who leaves an organization that pursues him and clearly sees the true nature of the Edo
period and the discrimination that existed in the feudal system. Shirato's works are primarily historical dramas that focus on ninja
, present a historical record of Japan, and criticize oppression, discrimination, and exploitation.
Many of Shirato's works have been adapted as anime series and films, including Ninja bugeichō, adapted by Nagisa Oshima
as Band of Ninja in 1967, an unusual film consisting only of images from the manga and voiceovers with no animation. Some works have received attention in the United States, such as The Legend of Kamui
, which was released in 1987 by Viz Media
, but others remain relatively unknown.
Social criticism
The term social criticism locates the reasons for malicious conditions of the society in flawed social structures. People adhering to a social critics aim at practical solutions by specific measures, often consensual reform but sometimes also by powerful revolution.- European roots :Religious...
as well as his realistic drawing style and the characters in his scenarios. He is considered a pioneer of gekiga
Gekiga
is Japanese for "dramatic pictures." The term was coined by Yoshihiro Tatsumi and adopted by other more serious Japanese cartoonists who did not want their trade to be known as manga or "irresponsible pictures." It's akin to Will Eisner who started calling his comics "graphic novels" as opposed...
. The son of the Japanese proletarian painter Toki Okamoto, his dream to become an artist equal with his father started when he became a Kamishibai
Kamishibai
Kamishibai , literally "paper drama", is a form of storytelling that originated in Japanese Buddhist temples in the 12th century, where monks used emakimono to convey stories with moral lessons to a mostly illiterate audience....
artist. He is also known for his work published in the early issues of the manga anthology magazine Garo
Garo (magazine)
was a monthly manga anthology magazine in Japan, founded in 1964 by Katsuichi Nagai. It specialized in alternative and avant-garde manga.-History:...
in 1964, which he began publishing so as to serialize his comic Kamui.
Biography
In his childhood Shirato's father was active in the proletarian culture movement, being one of the few people to be photographed with the tortured corpse of proletarian leader Kobayashi TakijiKobayashi Takiji
was a Japanese author of proletarian literature.-Biography:Kobayashi was born in Odate, Akita, Japan and was brought up in Otaru, Hokkaidō. After graduating from the Otaru School of Higher Learning, which is the current Otaru University of Commerce, he worked at the Otaru branch of Hokkaido...
. As he grew up he experienced the rancor of the war years, and it is said that these grim emotions come out in the nihilistic society portrayed in his works.
Shirato developed his artistic style through painting picture-card shows (kamishibai
Kamishibai
Kamishibai , literally "paper drama", is a form of storytelling that originated in Japanese Buddhist temples in the 12th century, where monks used emakimono to convey stories with moral lessons to a mostly illiterate audience....
) after finishing middle school at 18. He was influenced by the Ukiyo-e
Ukiyo-e
' is a genre of Japanese woodblock prints and paintings produced between the 17th and the 20th centuries, featuring motifs of landscapes, tales from history, the theatre, and pleasure quarters...
of the pre-Meiji period, but differed in his portrayal of action in a multi-panel "slow motion" style unique to his manga. His style of action portrayal came from the tension building techniques inherent in the performance aspect of Kami-shibai.
Shirato started his career as a professional manga artist in 1957 with Ninja bugeichō, a historically-based ninja-themed manga that captured the attention of students and intellectuals of the time. The Legend of Kamui
The Legend of Kamui
is a manga by Sanpei Shirato. Set in feudal Japan, it tells the story of a low-born ninja who tries to flee his clan. The series combines historical adventure with social commentary and themes of oppression and rebellion that reflect Shirato's Marxist convictions...
, the first series published in Garo, can be considered his most important manga work. It is the story of Kamui, a ninja who leaves an organization that pursues him and clearly sees the true nature of the Edo
Edo
, also romanized as Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of the Japanese capital Tokyo, and was the seat of power for the Tokugawa shogunate which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868...
period and the discrimination that existed in the feudal system. Shirato's works are primarily historical dramas that focus on ninja
Ninja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
, present a historical record of Japan, and criticize oppression, discrimination, and exploitation.
Many of Shirato's works have been adapted as anime series and films, including Ninja bugeichō, adapted by Nagisa Oshima
Nagisa Oshima
is a Japanese film director and screenwriter. After graduating from Kyoto University he was hired by Shochiku Ltd. and quickly progressed to directing his own movies, making his debut feature A Town of Love and Hope in 1959....
as Band of Ninja in 1967, an unusual film consisting only of images from the manga and voiceovers with no animation. Some works have received attention in the United States, such as The Legend of Kamui
The Legend of Kamui
is a manga by Sanpei Shirato. Set in feudal Japan, it tells the story of a low-born ninja who tries to flee his clan. The series combines historical adventure with social commentary and themes of oppression and rebellion that reflect Shirato's Marxist convictions...
, which was released in 1987 by Viz Media
VIZ Media
VIZ Media, LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, is an anime, manga, and Japanese entertainment company. It was founded in 1986 as VIZ LLC. In 2005, VIZ LLC and ShoPro Entertainment merged to form the current VIZ Media LLC, which is jointly owned by Japanese publishers Shogakukan and Shueisha, and...
, but others remain relatively unknown.
Selected works
- AKAME
- Bacchus
- Best Collection of Sanpei Shirato's Earlier Works (édition Shōgakukan)
- Census Register of Ninjas
- Crying Field
- Death God Kim Boy
- Devil Wind
- Handbook of Ninja Arts (as told by Kagemaru)
- Kamui, The Legends of Kamui, Life of Kamui: 38 vols, More Legends of Kamui, The Story of Kamui (part 1 & 2) (1982)
- Kinada
- Life of Mufu
- Ninja Whirlwind
- Ninja bugeichō (1959)
- Osen
- Pentheus
- Rock at Nanatsuoke
- Sanada Swordmanship
- Sasuke, (1961)
- Savannah
- Secret Ninja Stories
- Seton's Wild AnimalsSeton's Wild Animalsis a manga series by Sanpei Shirato published in two parts: three volumes published by Shogakukan from 1961 to 1962, and two volumes published by Seirindō in 1964 under the title...
- Song of Buffalo
- The Fumas
- The Secret Stories of Ninja Techniques
- Watari, (1965) - A Work that influenced the movie PlatoonPlatoon (film)Platoon is a 1986 American war film written and directed by Oliver Stone and stars Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe and Charlie Sheen. It is the first of Stone's Vietnam War trilogy, followed by 1989's Born on the Fourth of July and 1993's Heaven & Earth....
. - Wolf Boy