Discovering Manga as a Mirror of Japanese History

Yesterday I attended a meeting organized by the DEAI association of Genoa which showed an overview of the relationship between manga and how they tell the story. How events, battles and characters are often taken up (and sometimes recontextualised) to give strength to the story of the work. Elements that help to make known the history and culture of such a fascinating country as Japan.

Before going into the content of the event I wanted to talk to you about the organizers of this. DEAI－ 出会い, which in Japanese means "MEETING" was born in Genoa in 2018 by the current president Akanuma Megumi (Japanese opera singer who lives in Genoa, her adopted city) and has the aim of bringing together Italian culture and the Japanese one, leaving behind the classic stereotypes of the two nations.
Although born in the Genoese territory with the intention of working towards integration between the two cultures of our city, the association grew quickly, leaving the Ligurian borders and expanding into Italy but not only (the bond of friendship and collaboration with an Italian language study group created in Japan).

The event aimed to make us reflect on how manga are not just a mere means of entertainment, but that they can and do also contain a large part of Japanese culture and specifically the history of the rising sun.

Before the event, president Megumi entertained the participants by teaching how to create a small Japanese helmet with origami, this to interact with those present and as a little inspiration because the next day (i.e. today) would be the children's festival Kodomo no hi 子供の日 where traditionally small helmets, armor, etc. are given to males. A small and pleasant interlude before the event which was much appreciated in the room (including the small origami which everyone could then take home).

The narration of Chiara Povero and president Megumi accompanies us in the interesting juxtaposition with works (some unpublished in Italy) that highlighted the historical period taken into consideration by showing events and characters that made the history of Japan.

The interaction between history and manga in Japan is strong, there are many works that are full of it, works in which sometimes the historical character of a specific era is only referred to in name and for what he did, others instead in which characters who they are considered key figures, have entire works adapted to their deeds and their lives, such as the 3 great shoguns: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Other times, however, important historical events, battles or samurai are taken only as a starting point for very imaginative and fun adaptations.

Many of the manga taken into consideration draw inspiration from historical events, famous people and crucial periods in Japanese history. For example, works such as Takehiko Inoue's "Vagabond", based on the life of the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi, or Keiji Nakazawa's "Barefoot Gen", which recounts the atrocities of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, are tangible examples of how the story has been adapted in manga.

Other manga also aim to educate and raise awareness among readers about Japanese history and culture. Works like Yoshihiro Yamada's "Hyouge Mono," which explores the life of a warrior during the Sengoku period, or Fumi Yoshinaga's "Ooku," which imagines a Japan ruled by women during the Edo period, offer a snapshot of Japanese history that it might otherwise be overlooked in textbooks.

I was satisfied with this little overview of a world so vast that it needs more events that can better explore it in all its complexity (and I'm sure that DEAI will carry them forward in the future). In my opinion, events like these, which bring together two great cultures such as Japanese and Italian, deserve the right echo and exposure because there should be more of them.

Thanks to the president Megumi Akanuma Megumi who invited me to their event and to Chiara Povero for her clean and passionate exposition on how manga carry forward Japanese culture and are not just a mere means of relaxation and distraction. A pleasant afternoon, dedicated to past culture with beautiful people who want to know more about a culture as complex and fascinating as the Japanese one.

Below I leave you the contacts to learn more about this association which is carrying out very interesting initiatives and events, take a look. And if you want to know more, contact them directly, they will listen to you and welcome you. I was satisfied with this small overview of a world so vast that it needs more events that can better explore it in all its complexity (and I am sure that in the future the DEAI will carry them forward). In my opinion, events like these, which bring together two great cultures such as Japanese and Italian, deserve the right echo and exposure because there should be more of them.

Thanks to the president Megumi Akanuma Megumi who invited me to their event and to Chiara Povero for her clean and passionate exposition on how manga carry forward Japanese culture and are not just a mere means of relaxation and distraction. A pleasant afternoon, dedicated to past culture with beautiful people who want to know more about a culture as complex and fascinating as the Japanese one.

Below I leave you the contacts to learn more about this association which is carrying out very interesting initiatives and events, take a look. And if you want to know more, contact them directly, they will listen to you and welcome you.

Web Site: https://www.pegli.com/deai/chi-siamo/
Istagram: https://www.instagram.com/deaiassociazione @deaiassociazione
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deaiassociazione
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUZWE50nCSkXEYgQXD6-Qqg
Emai: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Image Source:
Personal photos