Our next historical, samurai Japanese graphic novel is out soon, simply titled:
MUSASHI (A Graphic Novel). A book that looks at the life, from birth to death, of legendary warrior poet, Miyamoto Musashi.
Published by Shambhala Publications in the USA. This is my fourth historical, samurai Japanese graphic novel published with them, and my seventh overall. And as there are four more in the pipeline it will get to a total of 11 such books out by 2016. Sorry to blow my own horn, jibun de ita, as they say in Japan, but I think this is unprecedented - it's the first time that a British comic book writer has made a such a long series on historical, samurai Japanese themes, working directly with Japanese artists.
The artist on the MUSASHI book is Michiru Morikawa, and she has done a wonderful job. Especially on the later chapters, where there are various 'silent beauty' pages with little or no text - some of her art on those is very beautiful. Lovely stuff.
"Miyamoto Musashi, the legendary samurai, is known throughout the world as a master swordsman, spiritual seeker, and author of the classic Book of Five Rings. Acclaimed manga creator Sean Michael Wilson has created both a vivid account of a fascinating period in feudal Japan and a portrait of a courageous, iconoclastic samurai who wrestled with philosophical and spiritual ideas that are as relevant today as they were in his time. For Musashi, the way of the martial arts was about mastery of the mind rather than simply technical prowess. Over 350 years after his death, Musashi still intrigues us—and his Book of Five Rings is essential reading for students of all martial arts and those interested in cultivating a strategic mind."
http://www.amazon.com/Musashi-Graphic-Novel-William-Wilson/dp/1611801354
As with all these books we chose to try for a subtle, sophisticated version, rather than one that exaggerates the fighting, sex and glory. Therefore, all the fights are shown in a realistic way, and are over very quickly - as that is what happens in practice. Now of the stupid hollywood fights that take ten minutes and have folk jumping all over the room. Musashi would have looked with scorn at such antics. Likewise, the attempt at historical accuracy is considerable. My 'Uncle in America', the esteemed translator and researcher, William Scott Wilson, provided a lot of the research that the graphic novel is based on. Plus my own visits to the actual places that Musashi lived, fought and died. We hope you lovely readers can appreciate the effort we have made to make a measured, subtle, accurate graphic novel about the life of Miyamoto Musashi.
A review of the Spanish version of our book THE BOOK OF FIVE RINGS. No idea what is says, good or bad, though!
http://comicparatodos.wordpress.com/2014/08/21/el-libro-de-los-cinco-anillos-de-sean-michael-wilson-y-chie-kutsuwada/
And a Spainish review of the 47 RONIN:
http://comicparatodos.wordpress.com/.../los-47-ronin-de.../