~ Influencial Factors Leading to the Creation of Modern Manga ~
Today, in what can be referred to as the modern age, Japanese anime and manga have spread to western civilizations such as the United States. Over time, Japanese anime has slowly increased in popularity. But although it may seem possible to have occurred, manga was not just an abrupt invention in the early 20th century.
Manga initially began with the Japanese's kibyoshi. Otherwise known as 'yellow cover books.' Kibyoshi is another form of Japanese comics, although manga is the more modern generation kind. The 'yellow cover book' is - besides manga - the latest Japanese comic book creation. Kibyoshi is an older tradition that contains sophisticated , political, and social entertainment. It takes the form of a children's book, but it is still the entertainment pertaining to more serious matters than any children's stories. When given much thought, you can view the kibyoshi as a literature that is primarily focused on adult audiences.
Kibyoshi wasn't the only influencial factor to the creation of manga. American and European comic magazines and strips were great inspirations to manga artists. A British man by the name of Charles Wirgman published a magazine called 'The Japan Punch' in 1857. This was based off of a popular humor publication in Britain. Not only was 'The Japan Punch' published, but 'Toba-e' was put out to the public as well by a French art teacher named George Bigot. Another influence was the American comic strip that was created around the time of the early 20th century.
Manga initially began with the Japanese's kibyoshi. Otherwise known as 'yellow cover books.' Kibyoshi is another form of Japanese comics, although manga is the more modern generation kind. The 'yellow cover book' is - besides manga - the latest Japanese comic book creation. Kibyoshi is an older tradition that contains sophisticated , political, and social entertainment. It takes the form of a children's book, but it is still the entertainment pertaining to more serious matters than any children's stories. When given much thought, you can view the kibyoshi as a literature that is primarily focused on adult audiences.
Kibyoshi wasn't the only influencial factor to the creation of manga. American and European comic magazines and strips were great inspirations to manga artists. A British man by the name of Charles Wirgman published a magazine called 'The Japan Punch' in 1857. This was based off of a popular humor publication in Britain. Not only was 'The Japan Punch' published, but 'Toba-e' was put out to the public as well by a French art teacher named George Bigot. Another influence was the American comic strip that was created around the time of the early 20th century.
The World of MANGA
Manga had become what it is today through a line of evolution, as most everything else had. How it began and had progressed is to be revealed...
It is believed by some that Manga - or Japanese comics - was created through a fuse of both the past versions of Japanese pictoral literature and the Western comic style, with an original spin to it. The first manga that was made was created in the early 20th century. At that time, manga was published in newspapers - as some short comics are in the United States. But even before manga was wildly popular, people created Magazines that were specifically for manga/Japanese comics. In 1857, Charles Wirgman founded The Japan Punch. Also in the 19th century, in the year of 1887, George Bigot - A French art teacher - founded the Toba-e. At the time, the 'comic revolution' was just beginning. Going back to the 20th century: In the 1900's, Rakuten Kitazawa was one of the first manga artists. He created manga such as Tagosaku to Mokube no Tokyo Kenbutsu, which is translated into Tagosaku and Mokube's Sightseeing in Tokyo. Later on, he founded a manga magazine that is known as Tokyo Puck. Not too long afterwards, Kitazawa was officially recognized as the founding father of modern manga.
Rakuten Kitazawa was not the only specifically known early manga artist. There was also a man by the name of Ippei Okamoto. Okamoto not only created Hitto no Issho, - which is translated to A Life of a Man - but he also established the very first Japanese cartoonists society. This society was called Nippon Mangakai.
Time progressed and fell into the era of the World Wars. Before the first World War made its appearance, another manga magazine called Shonen Club in the year 1915. This magazine was published specifically for boys, hence the title 'Shonen' (Shonen in Japanese means 'boy'). In 1923, Shojo Club magazine was published. This was made specifically for girls, since the word 'Shojo' in Japanese means 'girl.' By the decade of the 1930's, these very same magazines included stories of heroic Japanese soldiers, holding guns, and preparing fo battle. This was during the entry of World War I. These stories were most likely included to encourage the soldiers to do their best and defeat their enemies. The word 'Ganabatte' - meaning "do your best" - was printed in the manga magazines during the time. Then the debut of World War II took its place in history, causing the Japanese government to force cartoonists to join a government supported, authorized, and patrolled organization. The only way for artists to have their work showcased in a magazine - called 'Manga Magazine' - that was published on a weekly basis was to join this organization. It was called 'Shin Nippon Mangaka Kyokai' which means 'The New Cartoonists Association of Japan.' Cartoonists were also government instructed given guide-lines in which to abide by, otherwise their manga issue may not have been approved and published. The type of manga that was permitted to be drawn were ones that were non-violent, family-appropriate, and humourus stories.
It is believed by some that Manga - or Japanese comics - was created through a fuse of both the past versions of Japanese pictoral literature and the Western comic style, with an original spin to it. The first manga that was made was created in the early 20th century. At that time, manga was published in newspapers - as some short comics are in the United States. But even before manga was wildly popular, people created Magazines that were specifically for manga/Japanese comics. In 1857, Charles Wirgman founded The Japan Punch. Also in the 19th century, in the year of 1887, George Bigot - A French art teacher - founded the Toba-e. At the time, the 'comic revolution' was just beginning. Going back to the 20th century: In the 1900's, Rakuten Kitazawa was one of the first manga artists. He created manga such as Tagosaku to Mokube no Tokyo Kenbutsu, which is translated into Tagosaku and Mokube's Sightseeing in Tokyo. Later on, he founded a manga magazine that is known as Tokyo Puck. Not too long afterwards, Kitazawa was officially recognized as the founding father of modern manga.
Rakuten Kitazawa was not the only specifically known early manga artist. There was also a man by the name of Ippei Okamoto. Okamoto not only created Hitto no Issho, - which is translated to A Life of a Man - but he also established the very first Japanese cartoonists society. This society was called Nippon Mangakai.
Time progressed and fell into the era of the World Wars. Before the first World War made its appearance, another manga magazine called Shonen Club in the year 1915. This magazine was published specifically for boys, hence the title 'Shonen' (Shonen in Japanese means 'boy'). In 1923, Shojo Club magazine was published. This was made specifically for girls, since the word 'Shojo' in Japanese means 'girl.' By the decade of the 1930's, these very same magazines included stories of heroic Japanese soldiers, holding guns, and preparing fo battle. This was during the entry of World War I. These stories were most likely included to encourage the soldiers to do their best and defeat their enemies. The word 'Ganabatte' - meaning "do your best" - was printed in the manga magazines during the time. Then the debut of World War II took its place in history, causing the Japanese government to force cartoonists to join a government supported, authorized, and patrolled organization. The only way for artists to have their work showcased in a magazine - called 'Manga Magazine' - that was published on a weekly basis was to join this organization. It was called 'Shin Nippon Mangaka Kyokai' which means 'The New Cartoonists Association of Japan.' Cartoonists were also government instructed given guide-lines in which to abide by, otherwise their manga issue may not have been approved and published. The type of manga that was permitted to be drawn were ones that were non-violent, family-appropriate, and humourus stories.
Anime
The oldest known anime by the Japanese was called 'Namakura-gatama'. It was made by Junichi Kuchi and was released to the public in 1917. Although, that film only has the duration of two minutes.
Citations
Justy, CosmoP. "History of Anime." Home. 2012. Web. 26 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.animemetro.com/control.cfm?ID=232>.
"History of Anime in Japan." Anime Sekai V.1 The Slayers -got Anime?-. Web. 25 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.animesekai.net/history.html>.
Thorn, Matt. "A History of Manga." Welcome to Matt-thorn.com––shoujo Manga (shojo Manga) and More! 2007. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. <http://www.matt-thorn.com/mangagaku/history.html>.
Aoki, Deb. "Early Origins of Japanese Comics." About.com Manga. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://manga.about.com/od/historyofmanga/a/mangahistory1.htm>.
Aoki, Deb. "History of Manga - Manga Goes To War." About.com Manga. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. http://manga.about.com/od/historyofmanga/a/mangahistory2.htm.
Hays, Jeffrey. "Facts and Details." ANIME: HISTORY, POPULARITY AND HOLLYWOOD. 2009. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://factsanddetails.com/japan.php?itemid=734>.
Kern, Adam L. "Manga Culture and the Visual-Verbal Imagination." Manga from the Floating World: Comicbook Culture and the Kibyo%u0304shi of Edo Japan. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Asia Center, 2006. 129-34. Print.
<http://www.animemetro.com/control.cfm?ID=232>.
"History of Anime in Japan." Anime Sekai V.1 The Slayers -got Anime?-. Web. 25 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.animesekai.net/history.html>.
Thorn, Matt. "A History of Manga." Welcome to Matt-thorn.com––shoujo Manga (shojo Manga) and More! 2007. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. <http://www.matt-thorn.com/mangagaku/history.html>.
Aoki, Deb. "Early Origins of Japanese Comics." About.com Manga. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://manga.about.com/od/historyofmanga/a/mangahistory1.htm>.
Aoki, Deb. "History of Manga - Manga Goes To War." About.com Manga. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. http://manga.about.com/od/historyofmanga/a/mangahistory2.htm.
Hays, Jeffrey. "Facts and Details." ANIME: HISTORY, POPULARITY AND HOLLYWOOD. 2009. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://factsanddetails.com/japan.php?itemid=734>.
Kern, Adam L. "Manga Culture and the Visual-Verbal Imagination." Manga from the Floating World: Comicbook Culture and the Kibyo%u0304shi of Edo Japan. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Asia Center, 2006. 129-34. Print.