A Graphic Novel
A graphic novel depiction of the most dramatic example of bushidothe samurai codein Japanese history In the eighteenth century, forty-seven samurai avenged the death of their master in a plot that would take over two years to complete. After succeeding in their mission, the masterless samuraiknown as roninall committed ritual suicide. The story, which is a national legend, remains the most potent example of Japans deeply rooted cultural imperative of honor, persistence, loyalty, and sacrifice. The historical event has inspired many writers and artists over the years and numerous fictionalized versions and adaptations have emerged. In The 47 Ronin, Sean Michael Wilson has created a historically factual portrait, enhanced by evocative and often lyrical drawings by Akiko Shimojima. While there are other depictions of the story in manga form, this version stands out as being the most accurate and most compelling. Wilson and Shimojima have made the characters nuanced and relatable.
About Artists & Writers:
SEAN MICHAEL WILSON is a comic book writer from Scotland, living in Japan. He has had many books published with a variety of US, UK, and Japanese publishers, such as The Book of Five Rings, and edited the critically acclaimed AX: alternative manga (Publishers Weeklys Best Books of 2010 in comics). In 2016, his book Lafcadio Hearns The Faceless Ghost and Other Macabre Tales from Japan was nominated for the prestigious Eisner Award. And in 2017, his book Secrets of the Ninja won an International Manga Awardfrom the Japanese Government.AKIKO SHIMOJIMA is a manga illustrator based in Tokyo, Japan.