Origins of Manga
Dating back to the 6th century, the earliest origins of manga were found in illustrations from China while also being introduced a century later in Japan. As the years went by, illustrations were created using different techniques and styles that stray a far from how manga is created today. Manga itself wasn’t created until the 19th century where a series of events helped Japanese artists get into contact with Western creators, which opened up doors for the creation of manga in the future centuries. Charles Wirgmann was one of the people who influenced manga in Japan. He was a British journalist for the Illustrated London and established himself in Japan. Wirgmann launched his own publication of a monthly magazine that was fashioned after British humor, The Japan Punch. It was intended for foreigners who lived in Yokohama. Until 1887, it was an active published magazine in Japan and had about 22 issues published.*
*Art of Drawing Manga
*Art of Drawing Manga
In the late 19th century, manga was heavily influenced by foreigners who traveled to Japan for various reasons. Georges Bigot traveled from France to Japan to “teach modern art at the school for Army officials” (Art of Drawing Manga) in 1882. Years later (1887), he published his own magazine, Tobae (the name honor’s the famous priest Toba who was the author of the Choju-Giga in the 11th century). The nature of the magazine was a satirical publication which triggered change in Japanese artists view of behavior toward power.*
*Art of Drawing Manga
*Art of Drawing Manga
An important figure for the creation of manga is Rakuten Kitazawa, who was “one of the first and best-known artists of true manga”.* His time in the United States (where he was studying painting) helped with the creation of the first manga that had steady characters, Tagosaku to Mokube Tokyo Kenbutsu or The Journey of Tagosaku and Mokube to Tokyo. Along with the creation of his own manga, Kitazawa is also attribtuted to the first Japanese comic magazine, Tokyo Puck (1905).
Kitazawa’s influence of comics made it possible for manga to be introduced in Japan and it was “developed along the same lines as Western comics, that is by focusing on political and social criticism” *
*Art of Drawing Manga
Kitazawa’s influence of comics made it possible for manga to be introduced in Japan and it was “developed along the same lines as Western comics, that is by focusing on political and social criticism” *
*Art of Drawing Manga
During the 20th century, manga began to develop more and expand in different ways. Manga, such as “Dango Kushiuke Man yu” or “Chronicles of the Dango Kushiuke Journey” by Shigeo Miyao in the 1920’s, helped develop into what it is today. Manga also began to have specific genres made, such as the appearance of “kinshin manga and katey manga, of familiar or everyday life flavor, and kodomo manga, for children”*. The manga Spido Taro “became one of the most revolutionary series for the design of manga”*. Through other events, such as World War II, manga has been shaped into what it is today. Other contributing events that shaped manga were the first female manga artist, Machiko Hasegawa and the Postwar Boom for the creation of more manga, etc.*
From the 20th century to today, manga has become an important cultural phenomenon for the Japanese and all international readers. Today's Manga has different genre's such as Action, Comedy, Drama, Magic, Supernatural and many more. It also has different styles: Shoujo, Shounen, etc. The most popular genre is Slice of Life where a manga shows a representation of everyday experiences for different characters.
*Art of Drawing Manga
From the 20th century to today, manga has become an important cultural phenomenon for the Japanese and all international readers. Today's Manga has different genre's such as Action, Comedy, Drama, Magic, Supernatural and many more. It also has different styles: Shoujo, Shounen, etc. The most popular genre is Slice of Life where a manga shows a representation of everyday experiences for different characters.
*Art of Drawing Manga