Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
VIZ Media LLC (2009), 216 pages
Description
"In Edo period Japan, a strange new disease called the Red Pox has begun to prey on the country's men. Within eighty years of the first outbreak, the male population has fallen by seventy-five percent. Women have taken on all the roles traditionally granted to men, even that of the Shogun. The men, precious providers of life, are carefully protected. And the most beautiful of the men are sent to serve in the Shogun's Inner Chamber"--P. [4] of cover.
User reviews
LibraryThing member franzeska
I cannot say enough good things about this gorgeous series by the author of Antique Bakery. The central conceit, that a virus has wiped out most of the men of Japan and the female shogun keeps an all-male harem, is handled in a surprisingly straight, non-goofy way. The art is amazingly detailed,
The plot is a bit episodic, and it looks like subsequent volumes may feature different characters from the same setting. The central plot of the first volume concerns a less than willing member of the harem and the other members who plot to sleep with him, replace him in the shogun's affections, or do away with him entirely.
The Japanese is hard. This is not a kids' series, and the writing is appropriately complex (and lacking in furigana). That said, I didn't notice any specific areas of difficulty (historical jargon, weird dialects, slang), so a student with a good grasp of kanji should be able to read this.
It looks like an English translation by VIZ is due out in August 2009.
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and the character designs, while still recognizeably manga style, are much more realistic-looking than the standard shoujo and shounen styles familiar to Western anime fans.The plot is a bit episodic, and it looks like subsequent volumes may feature different characters from the same setting. The central plot of the first volume concerns a less than willing member of the harem and the other members who plot to sleep with him, replace him in the shogun's affections, or do away with him entirely.
The Japanese is hard. This is not a kids' series, and the writing is appropriately complex (and lacking in furigana). That said, I didn't notice any specific areas of difficulty (historical jargon, weird dialects, slang), so a student with a good grasp of kanji should be able to read this.
It looks like an English translation by VIZ is due out in August 2009.
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LibraryThing member veevoxvoom
Summary: In Edo Japan, a plague that affects only men has wiped out 75% of the male population. To make up for the lack, women now hold the important positions in government and society, while men are precious seed-givers relegated to the bedroom. In this world, Mizuno, a handsome young man,
Review: Oh Yoshinaga Fumi, why must you be so awesome? One of the things I most admire about her is how genre-bending her work is. She is known primarily as a yaoi mangaka, but unlike other yaoi mangaka she touches upon broader, more universal themes and creates such amazing stories as Antique Bakery and now Ooku. For those of you who are in it only for the yaoi, know that so far Ooku does not have much other than a few suggestions. What Ooku is instead is an intelligent, sometimes amusing, reflection on gender, gender roles, and power.
Yoshimune, the Eighth Shogun, is the most interesting character, although she does not appear until halfway into the story since when Mizuno enters the Ooku it is still the rule of the sickly Seventh Shogun. But once Yoshimune enters (with a trip and a bang), she steals the spotlight. She is frugal, sharp, and brash, and she sets out restructuring the court with a gleeful vengeance. It is awesome to behold.
One of the things that has often frustrated me about anime and manga is the scarcity of strong female characters. I mean, there are plenty of strong females, but usually I get the sense that their strength and resolve are mediated through a male character. At first I was worried about Ooku, because despite its premises its focus is on the all-male Inner Chambers. I thought that maybe females would be a powerful but shadowy presence in the story. I am so glad to be wrong. There are plenty of scenes with Yoshimune alone with her female advisors. So men and women alike walk through the pages of this thoroughly intriguing alternate history.
The only thing that grated on me is the English translation’s use of old-fashioned, somewhat Shakespearian, language to render the old-fashioned Japanese inflections. I understand the need, and at times it does add a historic flair to the narrative, but other times it is stylistically unnecessary. Especially when the idioms are so very Renaissance England that it takes me out of the Japanese setting.
Conclusion: One of the best manga I’ve read in a while, and if the first volume is any indication, this is going to be one of Yoshinaga Fumi’s classics.
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becomes a member of the Ooku, the Shogun’s Inner Chambers, and a concubine to the Shogun.Review: Oh Yoshinaga Fumi, why must you be so awesome? One of the things I most admire about her is how genre-bending her work is. She is known primarily as a yaoi mangaka, but unlike other yaoi mangaka she touches upon broader, more universal themes and creates such amazing stories as Antique Bakery and now Ooku. For those of you who are in it only for the yaoi, know that so far Ooku does not have much other than a few suggestions. What Ooku is instead is an intelligent, sometimes amusing, reflection on gender, gender roles, and power.
Yoshimune, the Eighth Shogun, is the most interesting character, although she does not appear until halfway into the story since when Mizuno enters the Ooku it is still the rule of the sickly Seventh Shogun. But once Yoshimune enters (with a trip and a bang), she steals the spotlight. She is frugal, sharp, and brash, and she sets out restructuring the court with a gleeful vengeance. It is awesome to behold.
One of the things that has often frustrated me about anime and manga is the scarcity of strong female characters. I mean, there are plenty of strong females, but usually I get the sense that their strength and resolve are mediated through a male character. At first I was worried about Ooku, because despite its premises its focus is on the all-male Inner Chambers. I thought that maybe females would be a powerful but shadowy presence in the story. I am so glad to be wrong. There are plenty of scenes with Yoshimune alone with her female advisors. So men and women alike walk through the pages of this thoroughly intriguing alternate history.
The only thing that grated on me is the English translation’s use of old-fashioned, somewhat Shakespearian, language to render the old-fashioned Japanese inflections. I understand the need, and at times it does add a historic flair to the narrative, but other times it is stylistically unnecessary. Especially when the idioms are so very Renaissance England that it takes me out of the Japanese setting.
Conclusion: One of the best manga I’ve read in a while, and if the first volume is any indication, this is going to be one of Yoshinaga Fumi’s classics.
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LibraryThing member clfisha
Take the sci-fi trope of a sexist plague wiping out a large portion of the male population and using it to explain why medieval Japan was so isolationist, should mean we get a interesting historical fiction tale with a twist. However we manage to get an awful translation, a bland plot and quite
The translation isn't the books fault but old Japanese has been converted to a Disney version of ye olde English (forsooth etc.. ) that's just irritating although with luck it does fade. Then we have to put up with a simplistic main character who is far too noble and manly, who strides forth amongst the weak, the petty and those simpering homosexual types. I mean what this book needed obviously was more stereotyping (bordering on homophobia). Of course there are some women lying around err.. just a very manly Empress and the bland girlish cipher love interest.
Then of course there's the plot, which being a setup for the series is practically non-existent. Also the actual premise feels stupid. Twisting the facts to fit actual history doesn't actually work, I mean all the women in power take a mans name and aren't allowed to talk to foreigners. I mean who owns who here?
Of course it's had rave reviews and since I am not a huge fan of manga you might want to ignore my ranting (I keep trying though, any recommendations?)
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amazingly misogynistic overtones. Quite a feat when you think about it.The translation isn't the books fault but old Japanese has been converted to a Disney version of ye olde English (forsooth etc.. ) that's just irritating although with luck it does fade. Then we have to put up with a simplistic main character who is far too noble and manly, who strides forth amongst the weak, the petty and those simpering homosexual types. I mean what this book needed obviously was more stereotyping (bordering on homophobia). Of course there are some women lying around err.. just a very manly Empress and the bland girlish cipher love interest.
Then of course there's the plot, which being a setup for the series is practically non-existent. Also the actual premise feels stupid. Twisting the facts to fit actual history doesn't actually work, I mean all the women in power take a mans name and aren't allowed to talk to foreigners. I mean who owns who here?
Of course it's had rave reviews and since I am not a huge fan of manga you might want to ignore my ranting (I keep trying though, any recommendations?)
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LibraryThing member starlightmuse
Even if you're not a fan of manga, I highly recommend you check this series out.
In an alternate Japanese time-line, gender roles are reversed. What would it be like if a woman were to rule feudal Japan?
Much like how Y: The Last Man explored women taking over in modern day times, Fumi Yoshinaga
In an alternate Japanese time-line, gender roles are reversed. What would it be like if a woman were to rule feudal Japan?
Much like how Y: The Last Man explored women taking over in modern day times, Fumi Yoshinaga
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explores what it would have been like in historical Japan. Show Less
LibraryThing member quantumbutterfly
Excellent alternate history of Japan. A mysterious illness sweeps through the country early in the Tokugawa era, only affecting men, and killing most who contract it. Eventually the male population is only 1/4 of what it was before the disease, and women have now taken hold of power. Up to and
It is now 80 years after the epidemic, men are still rare, and only those in prestigious families can get married. Other men regularly work as prostitutes and also service women hoping to become pregnant.
Some men, seeking to avoid this fate, try to become members of the Shogun's Ooku, or Inner Chambers. Volume one covers one young man who becomes part of the ooku, as well as following the ascension of the new Shogun. The volume closes with the Shogun wondering why women in power take male names, and discovers an old scribe who had been a teenager when the plague originally hit. She begins to read his chronicle of the changes in the country.
I discovered this book because it won the James Tiptree award this year, given to speculative fiction which covers gender in the genre. It's been years since I regularly read manga. This title was a great way to come back to the form. I look forward to continuing with this series.
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including Shogun.It is now 80 years after the epidemic, men are still rare, and only those in prestigious families can get married. Other men regularly work as prostitutes and also service women hoping to become pregnant.
Some men, seeking to avoid this fate, try to become members of the Shogun's Ooku, or Inner Chambers. Volume one covers one young man who becomes part of the ooku, as well as following the ascension of the new Shogun. The volume closes with the Shogun wondering why women in power take male names, and discovers an old scribe who had been a teenager when the plague originally hit. She begins to read his chronicle of the changes in the country.
I discovered this book because it won the James Tiptree award this year, given to speculative fiction which covers gender in the genre. It's been years since I regularly read manga. This title was a great way to come back to the form. I look forward to continuing with this series.
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LibraryThing member rivkat
After a plague leaves very few men alive in Edo-period Japan, the shogunate (as well as everything else) is controlled by women, and the shogun maintains an enormous group of men simply to serve her. The first volume deals with new entrants into the Inner Chambers when this system has been going on
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for decades, while the second flashes back to the beginning, when no one outside yet knew that the shogun was a woman and, at her whim, a young priest was conscripted into her service. It’s a very interesting story, though I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the convention of having semi-representational art turn cartoony at moments of anger/embarrassment. Warnings for rape. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jellyn
I read this because it made the Tiptree Award list this year. I really enjoyed it. It's an alternate history of Japan in which a plague has wiped out most of the men. At first, it was reminding me of A Brother's Price by Wen Spencer.Then we get to the "inner chamber" of the shogun. Traditionally,
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this was full of women. But because of this alternate history, it's full of men. Really greedy of the ruler to keep all of these men just for herself, when they could be out reproducing. Men are still in scarce supply.There are all these rules, and customs, and traditions of the inner chamber that we slowly learn about. Even as the main character in this volume is learning about them, being a new arrival to it himself. There are different levels of men and it can all get rather confusing if you don't pay close attention.The one negative comment I do have to say about it is that I felt like some of the rules were being contradicted in later chapter by different rules. Which is a problem I've seen in other manga. It may be a result of the serial nature of most manga. The author thinks of some cool thing to add and doesn't care or doesn't remember what's gone before that might not match up with the new idea. And of course that earlier bit has been published, so it's a little too late to revise it.So, I don't know. We'll see if the further volumes make other bits make more sense, or if it brings up new problems for me.It did convince me that I want to read other things by this mangaka. Show Less
LibraryThing member tronella
An interesting concept and all, but the forsooths got a little wearing.
LibraryThing member SChant
I was dubious at first, not being a big fan of manga/graphic novels, but the story drew me in and I'm definitely going to get the next volume from the library.
LibraryThing member thatotter
I was drawn to this because of the ambition of the concept: an alternate history of Edo period Japan where a plague wipes out most of the men, so women fill the traditionally-male societal roles.
I've never read manga before and found myself really wishing more of the art was in color, and that it
I enjoyed this and will probably seek out future volumes.
I've never read manga before and found myself really wishing more of the art was in color, and that it
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was less sketchy. I had trouble telling the characters apart at times.I enjoyed this and will probably seek out future volumes.
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LibraryThing member ritaer
A mysterious plague leaves only 1/4 the normal male population. leading to women running society and men becoming coveted property and breeding stock. A young man enters the service of the Shogun because he has no hope of marrying his wealthy childhood sweetheart. But a new Shogun produces changes
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in the Inner Chamber. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
What a phenomenal concpet. In Edo era Japan, men have died off to only a quarter of their numbers. Women now do everything that men did, including run the country. The flip of society just makes for a really interesting story. I am definitely sorry that Yunoshin will not be returning as a main
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character and I really loved Nobu, she is a very fair and interesting ruler. I can't wait to see how the next one is. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
What a phenomenal concpet. In Edo era Japan, men have died off to only a quarter of their numbers. Women now do everything that men did, including run the country. The flip of society just makes for a really interesting story. I am definitely sorry that Yunoshin will not be returning as a main
Show More
character and I really loved Nobu, she is a very fair and interesting ruler. I can't wait to see how the next one is. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
What a phenomenal concpet. In Edo era Japan, men have died off to only a quarter of their numbers. Women now do everything that men did, including run the country. The flip of society just makes for a really interesting story. I am definitely sorry that Yunoshin will not be returning as a main
Show More
character and I really loved Nobu, she is a very fair and interesting ruler. I can't wait to see how the next one is. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
What a phenomenal concpet. In Edo era Japan, men have died off to only a quarter of their numbers. Women now do everything that men did, including run the country. The flip of society just makes for a really interesting story. I am definitely sorry that Yunoshin will not be returning as a main
Show More
character and I really loved Nobu, she is a very fair and interesting ruler. I can't wait to see how the next one is. Show Less
LibraryThing member EllsbethB
This story is a fascinating way to examine gender roles. It is also an interesting way to consider Japanese culture and politics in the Tokugawa era.
LibraryThing member emeraldreverie
Fascinating. Love the premise. Great art with gorgeous loving detail. Cannot wait to read more and see where it goes!
LibraryThing member PhoenixTerran
Out of all her series so far, Ōoku: The Inner Chambers is probably the one that has garnered the most awards and nominations for Fumi Yoshinaga, including the first ever James Tiptree, Jr. Award given to a manga. Even though Ōoku was the first of Yoshinaga's works that I learned about, I actually
After a brief introduction, most of the first volume concerns Yunoshin Mizuno. The year is 1716, more than eighty years have passed since the beginning of the Redface Pox epidemic; the male population of Japan has been reduced to nearly a quarter of what it once was. Out of necessity, women have taken on the roles previously held by men, including even the military rule of the country. In order to avoid an unwanted marriage and to best support his family, Mizuno decides to enter into service in the Ōoku, or Inner Chambers, of the Shogun. There, hundreds of men are kept and women barred except for the Shogun herself who may choose among the men for her concubines. Mizuno quickly realizes that life in the Inner Chambers is not exactly what he was expecting and finds himself caught up in others' political maneuverings. The first volume also give a good picture of Yoshimune Tokugawa, the current shogun--a strong-willed woman not afraid to challenges the status quo.
Ōoku is more serious overall than most of Yoshinaga's other work that I've read, but she still incorporates lovely moments of humor. Her artwork is as expressive as ever and I personally think it is some of her best. Backgrounds are slightly more detailed than I am used to seeing from Yoshinaga and her depictions of Edo era clothing are simply gorgeous. A few color plates are also included and are stunning. Viz's presentation is beautifully done, although occasionally a panel is cropped a little too closely, and the larger Signature format shows off the artwork nicely. All of the main characters have distinctive looks and even the secondary characters show a good variety of design, something that Yoshinaga seemed to struggle with in her earliest works but here is executed elegantly.
As any good alternate history should, Ōoku incorporates historically accurate elements--such as Japan's Edo era isolationism and the events surrounding the succession of the Shogunate--and gives them new meaning and reason. While the women are officially in charge, the men still have a tremendous amount of influence. Even so, Yoshignaga's women are strong and can hold their own--the Baron's smackdown of the Senior Chamberlain was brilliant, for one. Occasionally, Ōoku can be rather text heavy but the information conveyed is interesting and generally important. Unfortunately, the faux-Early Modern English is rather awkward when used. I think I understand what Viz was trying to do--capture the different levels of formality inherent in the Japanese language but no longer a prominent part of English--but they don't quite pull it off; the language is distracting. But overall, the first volume of Ōoku is a strong start to the series. Beautiful, emotional storytelling accompanies beautiful, expressive art. I am very much looking forward to continuing the series--I love what I've seen so far.
Experiments in Reading
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ended up reading, and thoroughly enjoying, several of her others before picking it up. The English edition of Ōoku is published by Viz Media as part of their Signature line. As of October 2009, five volumes of the series have been released in Japan and it is projected to run for a total of ten volumes. There is even a live-action adaption planned for October 2010. The release schedule is slower than most manga, only one volume per year, which results in some impatient readers, but also encourages the savoring of each individual installment.After a brief introduction, most of the first volume concerns Yunoshin Mizuno. The year is 1716, more than eighty years have passed since the beginning of the Redface Pox epidemic; the male population of Japan has been reduced to nearly a quarter of what it once was. Out of necessity, women have taken on the roles previously held by men, including even the military rule of the country. In order to avoid an unwanted marriage and to best support his family, Mizuno decides to enter into service in the Ōoku, or Inner Chambers, of the Shogun. There, hundreds of men are kept and women barred except for the Shogun herself who may choose among the men for her concubines. Mizuno quickly realizes that life in the Inner Chambers is not exactly what he was expecting and finds himself caught up in others' political maneuverings. The first volume also give a good picture of Yoshimune Tokugawa, the current shogun--a strong-willed woman not afraid to challenges the status quo.
Ōoku is more serious overall than most of Yoshinaga's other work that I've read, but she still incorporates lovely moments of humor. Her artwork is as expressive as ever and I personally think it is some of her best. Backgrounds are slightly more detailed than I am used to seeing from Yoshinaga and her depictions of Edo era clothing are simply gorgeous. A few color plates are also included and are stunning. Viz's presentation is beautifully done, although occasionally a panel is cropped a little too closely, and the larger Signature format shows off the artwork nicely. All of the main characters have distinctive looks and even the secondary characters show a good variety of design, something that Yoshinaga seemed to struggle with in her earliest works but here is executed elegantly.
As any good alternate history should, Ōoku incorporates historically accurate elements--such as Japan's Edo era isolationism and the events surrounding the succession of the Shogunate--and gives them new meaning and reason. While the women are officially in charge, the men still have a tremendous amount of influence. Even so, Yoshignaga's women are strong and can hold their own--the Baron's smackdown of the Senior Chamberlain was brilliant, for one. Occasionally, Ōoku can be rather text heavy but the information conveyed is interesting and generally important. Unfortunately, the faux-Early Modern English is rather awkward when used. I think I understand what Viz was trying to do--capture the different levels of formality inherent in the Japanese language but no longer a prominent part of English--but they don't quite pull it off; the language is distracting. But overall, the first volume of Ōoku is a strong start to the series. Beautiful, emotional storytelling accompanies beautiful, expressive art. I am very much looking forward to continuing the series--I love what I've seen so far.
Experiments in Reading
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LibraryThing member amanda4242
An alternate history manga set during the Edo period. A plague has struck Japan, killing some 75% of the men; women take over the running of the country and men are cossetted breeding stock. The art is beautiful and the story has pricked my interest, although the translation is kind of clunky, with
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what I'm sure is very formal Japanese translated into absurd faux "ye olden times" English. Show Less
LibraryThing member mmparker
Interesting, brutal, tender... I grew up wishing I could be a knight, and this series rekindled that desire to have an honorable liege again. (It included plenty of examples of why that's a very dumb principle to build your society on, but I just never thought I would have that feeling again.)
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alternate history that basically merges back into our timeline! I haven't seen that before. Show Less
Awards
Otherwise Award (Winner — 2009)
Japan Media Arts Festival Award (Manga — 2006)
This Manga is Amazing! (#3 — 2022)
Great Graphic Novels for Teens (Top Ten — 2010)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2005-10-04 (Japanese edition)
2009-08-18 (American edition)
2016-11-15 (American edition ebook)
Physical description
216 p.; 8.25 inches
ISBN
1421527472 / 9781421527475