The Ohio State University

Discussing manga bibliography with Egami Toshinori of Kyoto U Library

Last month Toshinori Egami (江上敏哲), a rare book librarian at Kyoto University Library who has been visiting and cataloging rare books at Harvard-Yenching Library for the past year, came to Ohio State to see the manga collection in the Cartoon Research Library. We also talked about blogging, wikis, and other kinds of digital support services that librarians can provide for Japanese studies. Egami-san published a very detailed report of his visit on Kyoto University Library’s blog:

http://www.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp/modules/wordpress/wp-trackback.php/61

Also, he posted it on the HVUday blog he maintained during his sabbatical in Cambridge, in a better presentation (with some phrases bolded in red, etc): http://hvuday.seesaa.net/article/84766971.html

Reading Egami-san’s blog entry vividly reminded me of the fascinating discussions we had that cold, wintry, February day. I enjoyed talking about manga bibliography (マンガのビブリオグラフィー（書誌学）の研究) with someone who not only loves manga, but is also a specialist in Japanese rare books — what a great opportunity that was! I especially appreciate that he wrote about my strategy of developing a “broadly representative” manga collection, with emphasis on reference materials and significant works.

Here are links to a few of the rare materials in Ohio State’s manga collection that Egami-san mentioned in his report:

• 東海道五十三次漫画絵卷
  (A digital copy is available at Nagaragawa Garou web site)
• 時事漫画 (OCLC)
• 日本漫画史 細木原青起著(1924)
• 漫画 / 新日本漫画家協會機關誌 (OCLC)
• 日本漫画家名鑑500 : 1945-1992
• 日本の漫画家カタログ
• 「漫画百年」（東京漫画スケッチ会）(not yet cataloged)
• 漫画の描き方に関する資料
  *新漫画の描き方 (1928)
  *漫画スケッチの猫き方(1943)
  *ワイド版マンガのかきかた (1980)
  **NOTE: For a longer list of “how to draw manga” books, many of which are available at Ohio State, see Takeuchi Osamu’s bibliography, “マンガの描き方講座：　書目”　in his マンガの批評と研究+資料(2003), 108-112.

Add comment March 14th, 2008

Shiriagari Kotobuki in Bijutsu Techo Nov 2007 issue

The last time I wrote about Shiriagari Kotobuki there was a nice link from the Completely Futile blog (Thanks so much!!!). That kind of positive feedback is really wonderful!

In the latest November ‘07 issue of Bijutsu Techo Kotobuki discusses the Choju Jinbutsu Giga, the 12th century scroll of frolicking animals that is often considered to be Japan’s first manga, with art historian Yamashita Yuji. They discuss the scroll from their respective points of view. The issue coincided with an exhibit of all four scrolls at the Suntory Museum.

73 titles now come up in a Worldcat.org search on Shiriagari Kotobuki — including some new ones that I should order for Ohio State’s collection!

Add comment December 17th, 2007

Kyoto International Manga Museum

The Kyoto International Manga Museum opened on November 25! Its web site is a major new resource about manga:
http://www.kyotomm.com/

2 comments November 28th, 2006

Anime Punch — Manga Panel

The Columbus Anime Convention — “Anime Punch” will be next weekend! I’ll be there on Sunday talking about Ohio State’s manga collection and about manga in general. Here’s a link for more information –

http://www.animepunch.org/

5 comments March 27th, 2006

Inu Yasha

The last reading in the freshman seminar was Inu Yasha by Takahashi Rumiko. We had a good discussion about what makes it such a popular manga. Also, we reflected on what we’d all learned over the past ten weeks. The seminar was a great success, thanks to a wonderful group of students. We had a lot of lively discussions and everyone participated actively.

For the last class I brought the manga collection’s treasure, an original page from a story manga by Tezuka Osamu. It was exhibited during the Astro Boy Birthday (April 7, 2003) celebration and exhibit.

Also, I brought some other resources related to the class discussions that day – on Takahashi Rumiko, otogi-zoshi, yokai (demons, ghosts, ) etc –

Add comment March 14th, 2006

Ishinomori Shotaro

My freshman seminar ended last week. One of the mangaka that we read is Ishinomori Shotaro. I just put in an order for the 500 volume Ishinomori daizenshu (complete works) that has just started coming out. It will be published at the rate of about 40 volumes every three months during 2006-2008.

Here are some resources in the manga collection related to Ishinomori Shotaro –

Add comment March 14th, 2006

Alison Raab’s thesis

Alison Raab’s MS thesis, “Manga in Academic Library Collections: Definitions, Strategies, and Bibliography for Collecting Japanese Comics,” is available online at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill’s SILS Electronic Theses and Dissertations repository:
http://etd.ils.unc.edu/dspace/handle/1901/233

Alison’s thesis makes very interesting reading! She advocates collecting manga as part of Japanese studies collections in general, and provides practical advice on selecting/collecting manga.

In Chapter V (”Manga in the Field: Manga Collection Strategies in Academic Libraries) she discusses manga collections at Ohio State and U Kansas. Alison refers to Ohio State’s approach as “comprehensive.” Actually, I describe my approach to collecting manga as “broadly representative” rather than comprehensive. In the case of manga, this distinction seems important to me. However, this small correction does not detract from an otherwise excellent paper.

Great work, Alison!!

1 comment February 28th, 2006

Four Immigrants Manga

The first assignment for the manga seminar is Henry Yoshitaka Kiyama’s The Four Immigrants Manga translated, with an introduction and notes by Frederik L. Schodt.
Ohio State’s copy of the original 1931 edition (Manga yonin shosei / Henry Kiyama Yoshitaka 漫畵四人書生 / ヘンリー木山義喬) (published in San Francisco) is from the collections of the San Francisco Academy of Comic Art, Bill Blackbeard, Director.
We’re also reading Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics.

1 comment January 12th, 2006

Three early mangaka

During the first session of the seminar I introduced three early mangaka who were very influential both as cartoonists and also as teachers of the next generation of Japanese cartoonists. The Cartoon Research Library manga collection includes works by and/or about these mangaka. Here is a list of the materials I brought to show during the class –

Kitazawa Rakuten 北沢楽天 (1876-1955)

• Yasashii ga no kakikata やさしい画のかき方 (1981)
• Tokyo Puck 東京パック : 復刻版 1905-1912 (reprinted 1985-2000)
  NC1709.K583 T648
• Rakuten manga shūtaisei 楽天漫画集大成 (1973-76)
  NC1709.K572A4

Okamoto Ippei 岡本一平 (1886-1948)

• Ippei manga 一平漫画 (1924)
  PN6790J33O423 1924
• Shin manga no kakikata 新漫画の描き方(1928)
  PN6790J33O428 1928

Tagawa Suiho 田河水泡 (1899-1989)

• Norakuro manga zenshu のらくろ漫画全集 (1967)
  PN6790.J33 T3 1967
• Norakuro Jōtōhei のらくろ上等兵 (1932)
  PN6790.J33 T33 1932

I also showed one example of a history of manga — “300 years of manga” -
Title: Nihon no manga 300 nen 日本の漫画300年
Publisher info Tōkyō : Kawasaki-shi Shimin Myūjiamu, 1996
東京 : 川崎市市民ミュージア� , 1996
Call number: NC1700.N536 1991

Add comment January 12th, 2006

Freshman seminar (Winter ‘06)

This quarter I am teaching a freshman seminar — the syllabus is posted below:

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Arts and Sciences 138.05: Freshman Seminar
Analyzing the Appeal of Manga

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In recent years artifacts of Japanese popular culture have spread worldwide, creating a global youth culture that has only begun to attract research interest. This seminar focuses on printed manga now being translated into English at an unprecedented rate.

The objective of this course is to introduce students to manga as research resources that can be analyzed from many perspectives. Manga selected for the course are by some of the most famous Japanese cartoonists and represent a range of genres and styles. Students will enhance their information literacy skills and develop presentation techniques while exploring the fascinating world of manga.
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Course Format
* This one-credit course will meet once a week for 48 minutes.
* The course is divided into two units: 1) Introduction, early manga; 2) manga of the 60s and 70s; 3) manga of the 80s and 90s.
* Approximately two hours of work is expected to be completed in preparation for each class. Students read as much as possible of the assignments in two hours.
* Although some of these manga have been made into anime, students are expected to read the printed manga rather than watch the animated versions.
* All readings are in English.
* Assigned readings are available on Reserve as well as for purchase at the University Bookstore.
* Students sign up to take turns leading class discussions on specific manga.

Attendance
Attendance is mandatory and will be taken during every class meeting. Participation in class discussion is required and will be noted during every class meeting. Students are expected to have read assigned manga carefully so as to be able to participate actively in class discussions.
Classroom Discussion Format
Classes are divided into three 16-minute segments. Two of the segments are for students (who will sign up ahead of time) to make five to seven minute presentations on specific aspects of the assigned manga, followed by general class discussion. The third segment will be for the instructor’s mini-lecture on a specific topic, introducing the history of manga, manga studies, and methods of analyzing manga.

Grading : Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory (Satisfactory = 80%)

Attendance 20%
Class participation 50%
Discussion leadership 30%

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Weekly Syllabus

Unit 1: Introduction; early manga

Week 1: Course overview; introductory lecture on the history of manga
Introductions
Students sign up to prepare and lead discussions of two manga
Assignment: Scott McCloud. Understanding Comics. Chapter 1
Henry Kiyama. The Four Immigrants Manga

Week 2: Topic: Manga as sequential art
Discussion focus: Henry Kiyama. The Four Immigrants Manga (1931)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 2
Ishinomori, Shotaro. Cyborg 009 Volume 1
_____________________________
Unit 2: Manga of the ‘60s and ‘70s

Week 3: Topic: Iconic Characters and Realistic Backgrounds in Manga
Discussion focus: Ishinomori, Shotaro. Cyborg 009 Volume 1 (1963)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 3
Tezuka, Osamu. Phoenix: Dawn

Week 4: Topic: Closure (panel to panel transitions) in Manga
Discussion focus: Tezuka Osamu. Phoenix (1967)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 4
Monkey Punch. Lupin III. Volume 1

Week 5 Topic: Time and Motion in Manga
Discussion focus: Monkey Punch. Lupin III (1967)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 5
Koike, Kazuo & Kojima, Goseki. Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 1

Week 6: Topic: Senses and Emotions in Manga
Discussion focus: Koike, Kazuo & Kojima, Goseki. Lone Wolf and Cub Vol.1 (1970)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 6
Ariyoshi, Kyoko. Swan Volume 1

Week 7 Topic: Gender and Sexuality in Manga
Discussion focus: Ariyoshi, Kyoko. Swan Volume 1 (1976)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 7
Toriyama, Akira. Dragon Ball Volume 1
______________________________
Unit 3: Manga of the ‘80s and ‘90s

Week 8 Topic: Genres and the Commodification of Manga
Discussion focus: Toriyama, Akira. Dragon Ball Volume 1 (1984)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 8
Miyazaki, Hayao. Nausicaa. Volume 1
Sadamoto, Yoshiyuki. Neon Genesis Evangelion Volume 1

Week 9 The Craft of Manga; Social Commentary in Manga
Discussion focus: Miyazaki, Hayao. Nausicaa. Volume 1 (1984)
Sadamoto, Yoshiyuki. Neon Genesis Evangelion Volume 1 (1995)
Assignment: Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics. Chapter 9
Takahashi, Rumiko. Inu-yasha. Volume 1

Week 10 Fan Culture and Manga
Discussion focus: Takahashi, Rumiko. Inu-yasha. Volume 1 (1997)

______________________________
Texts (two copies of each are on Reserve in Main Library)

Ariyoshi, Kyoko. Swan Volume 1 (La Jolla: DC Comics, 2005)
Ishinomori, Shotaro. Cyborg 009 Volume 1 (Los Angeles: Tokyopop, 2003)
Kiyama, Henry. The Four Immigrants Manga (Berkeley: Stone Bridge Press, 1999)
Koike, Kazuo and Goseki Kojima.
Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 1 (Milwaukee, OR: Dark Horse, 2000)
McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics: the Invisible Art (HarperCollins, 1994)
Miyazaki, Hayao. Nausicaa. Volume 1 (San Francisco: VIZ, 2004)
Monkey Punch. Lupin III. Volume 1 (Los Angeles: Tokyopop, 2002)
Sadamoto, Yoshiyuki. Neon Genesis Evangelion. Volume 1 (San Francisco: VIZ, 2004)
Takahashi, Rumiko. Inu Yasha Volume 1. 2d ed. (San Francisco: VIZ, 2003)
Tezuka, Osamu. Phoenix: Volume 1: Dawn (San Francisco: VIZ, 2003)
Toriyama, Akira. Dragon Ball Volume 1 (San Francisco: VIZ, 2003)

__________________________

Academic Misconduct
It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academic Misconduct to investigate or establish procedures for the investigation of all reported cases of student academic misconduct. The term “academic misconduct” includes all forms of student academic misconduct wherever committed; illustrated by, but not limited to, cases of plagiarism and dishonest practices in connection with examinations. Instructors shall report all instances of alleged academic misconduct to the committee (Faculty Rule 3335-5-487). For additional information, see the Code of Student Conduct (http://studentaffairs.osu.edu/info_for_students/csc.asp).

Disability Services
Any student who feels he/she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss specific needs. Please contact the Office for Disability Services (http://www.ods.ohio-state.edu/) at 614-292-3307 TDD 292-0901 in 150 Pomerene Hall to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.

Add comment January 12th, 2006