Topic: Ouku: The Inner Chambers; Japan's Shakespeare!
Blayne Bradley
unregistered
posted
Quite possibly the most difficult manga to read ever.
Ouku is a thus far 5 volumn alternate history story/manga by Fumi Yoshinaga where a plague swept through Edo era Japan wiping out 80% of the male population, essentially what follows is Yoshinaga-san describing a rich well detailed alternate Japan where gender roles have quite understandably and believably reversed with the Shogunate now passed down a female line of succession and men[/b] being kept 'safe and protected' and desired by women to help them concieve children.
Specifically the first two books I've read thus far are focused on the [i]Ouko aka the Inner Chambers which originally was basically the Shogun's harem who helped him concieve an heir but are not populated by around 800 youths of Samurai and noble stock to entertain and provide "seed" to the Shogun's (now exclusively female) to provide them a new heir with women barred from ever entering the premises.
This is essentially "How Few Remain" kind of Harry Turtledove, type 1 alternate history where past the what if we have the ramifications of this change thoughtfully detailed and followed through, with the story contrasting for us how it was, how it is and how it was like transitioning from a to b.
Things have changed so thoroughly that now it's MEN who are SOLD by their families to provide their seed every night to eager women wanting their seed... (And its made clear that this is NOT as good as it initially sounds)
It is a splendedly marvelous work that is thoroughly enjoyable to read, and by "difficult to read" I mean this entirely endearingly! As the translators (Viz Media) took it upon themselves to translate whatever time period accurate vernacular the author used to our "Old English Shakespeare" equivilent!
This made it a little difficult for me to read as I ended up having to reread each page to make sure I fully understood it but its the kind of difficulty that makes the story well worth the effort and very quickly grows on you and seems "just right" somehow, perfectly suiting the characters like a glove and in the process providing some of the most hilarious lines of dialogue ever.
Here's a sample:
quote: Murase Masasuke: 'Twas but a pittance, but the Shogunate did also make a gift of some gold at the same time, and I have heard that your honored father, Duke Arizumi, was exceedingly pleased to receive it.
Quothe he, "A son that hath taken religious vows hath cut his ties to the world, of which his family is part, so is doings are no longer my affair. However, for the interests of the family, 'tis better that he serve the shogun as his catamite, than a monastery as its abbott."
Beat.
Gyokuei: THOU VILLAIN THOU LIEST!!! Arikoto: Tut Gyokuei. Arikoto (Thinking): 'Tis true what he doth relate. My father is not evil in character but there is a calculating side to his nature...
Murase Masasuke:As for Keiko-In, Master Arikoto... The monastery too was notified several months ago that you would remain in Edo, and a new Abbott was appointed soon thereafter.
Is there anthing else that you wish me to do sir?
Then allow me to make of you a request. This is Edo sir! Pray refrain forthwith from using that effeminate court language of Kyoto that you have been speaking, for it is in sooth most obnoxious!!
What.
I mean WHAT!? I can't even tell the difference!!! He found HIS old english too fappish!? What? This made me burst out loud to the sheer metaness of it.
Ouku has the distinction of being the first manga set that I have ever actually paid for so take that as a massive recommendation to go buy it from Viz Media. Like right now!
Like what can I say? If you like period set fiction and well written and well thought out of alternate history and like stories that are focus on character interactions that help bring out and describe just how different and detailed this world is go for it!
Apparently the author plans to have around roughly 12 volumnes, she's a saint as there's no way I can be satisfied with just 5.
It would be awesome if she went on and continued Turtledove style to follow this up and show us stories of how Meiji and WWII Japan would differ, right now the isolation is still the same as quite understandably they wouldn't want the foreigners to realize that Japan is severely lacking in manpower to fight off an invasion though I imagine by the time the first book is set (roughly 1720) gender roles would have been so thoroughly reversed that no one would bat an eye to women serving as the primary combat soldier while men are for their rarity regulated to non combat "medic" duties.
Oh and the books have a great deal of humor to them.
And yes I know, "typical blog post" I'm working on it
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posted
...why? Seriously, why? I gave you one already! Why duplicate the effort? I don't understand that is all. Either A.) why waste the time or B.) why are you making these instead of working on it? Just save them, they'll keep.
Posts: 1577 | Registered: Sep 2005
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Blayne Bradley
unregistered
posted
What in the who now? I think you've OFFERED blog space IIRC but you've never gave it and I don't need it right now as I'm customizing my own word/comicpress thingy right now. I'm honestly confused as to what your referring to.
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posted
Your confusion is noted. You already understand what I meant, but do continue to be confused.
Point: I was under the impression that what you're doing is a lot more work than what I suggested. I don't understand why you're doing that.
Posts: 1577 | Registered: Sep 2005
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