About the word manga - 15 views

manga meaning

started by Claudia Márquez on 28 Aug 09

#1 Claudia Márquez on 28 Aug 09

Hey i was reading this new book i got. It is called "Mil Años de Manga" (Thousend years of manga).

In the intro of the book they explain the meaning of the word manga. And it says something like this:
"The term manga has evolved and the only ones who still use it are the ones who were born before the war, who gave the meaning of "satire or critic politic character that is publish in the prense". For the after generations the word manga refers to the stamps of Edo era and not the comics. For refearing to the last ones they just use "comics", that groups mangas of all kind.
Paradoxically in occident we have choose the term manga, that is in disuse in japan."
(its a rough translate to english of the text)

So i thought in japan they used the word manga to refer all type of comics, not just the ones maked in japan. And not the word comics.

Someone can clarify me what is the word that it is used in japan?

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Hey i was reading this new book i got. It is called "Mil Años de Manga" (Thousend years of manga). <br /> <br /> In the intro of the book they explain the meaning of the word manga. And it says something like this: <br /> "The term manga has evolved and the only ones who still use it are the ones who were born before the war, who gave the meaning of "satire or critic politic character that is publish in the prense". For the after generations the word manga refers to the stamps of Edo era and not the comics. For refearing to the last ones they just use "comics", that groups mangas of all kind. <br /> Paradoxically in occident we have choose the term manga, that is in disuse in japan." <br /> (its a rough translate to english of the text) <br /> <br /> So i thought in japan they used the word manga to refer all type of comics, not just the ones maked in japan. And not the word comics. <br /> <br /> Someone can clarify me what is the word that it is used in japan?</div>

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#2 Nele Noppe on 31 Aug 09

Does the book give any references for this claim? It sounds quite strange to me. Manga are sometimes referred to as "comics" ("komikku") in Japan, but the word "manga" is much more widely used. "Komikku" is sometimes used to refer to non-Japanese works, such as American comics or European strips, as opposed to Japanese works, or as a blanket term for all types of comics, or as a slightly more "posh" way of referring to Japanese manga -academics sometimes do this.

As with every terminology issue, these aren't rules, of course. Terms are ofen used interchangeably. And the author of the book is correct in pointing out that manga-related Japanese terms are often given a different meaning by non-Japanese readers, so we should always be careful. But I think it's quite safe to say that in Japan, the word "manga" is in far wider use than the word "komikku" to indicate Japanese manga.

By the way, is "Mil Años de Manga" the book by Brigitte Koyama-Richards? I think we have the English edition of that one lying around somewhere at work, if it's the same book you're reading, I could check it out directly.

Cheers,

Nele

Claudia Márquez wrote:
> Hey i was reading this new book i got. It is called "Mil Años de Manga" (Thousend years of manga).
>
> In the intro of the book they explain the meaning of the word manga. And it says something like this:
> "The term manga has evolved and the only ones who still use it are the ones who were born before the war, who gave the meaning of "satire or critic politic character that is publish in the prense". For the after generations the word manga refers to the stamps of Edo era and not the comics. For refearing to the last ones they just use "comics", that groups mangas of all kind.
> Paradoxically in occident we have choose the term manga, that is in disuse in japan."
> (its a rough translate to english of the text)
>
> So i thought in japan they used the word manga to refer all type of comics, not just the ones maked in japan. And not the word comics.
>
> Someone can clarify me what is the word that it is used in japan?

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Does the book give any references for this claim? It sounds quite strange to me. Manga are sometimes referred to as "comics" ("komikku") in Japan, but the word "manga" is much more widely used. "Komikku" is sometimes used to refer to non-Japanese works, such as American comics or European strips, as opposed to Japanese works, or as a blanket term for all types of comics, or as a slightly more "posh" way of referring to Japanese manga -academics sometimes do this. <br /> <br /> As with every terminology issue, these aren't rules, of course. Terms are ofen used interchangeably. And the author of the book is correct in pointing out that manga-related Japanese terms are often given a different meaning by non-Japanese readers, so we should always be careful. But I think it's quite safe to say that in Japan, the word "manga" is in far wider use than the word "komikku" to indicate Japanese manga. <br /> <br /> By the way, is "Mil Años de Manga" the book by Brigitte Koyama-Richards? I think we have the English edition of that one lying around somewhere at work, if it's the same book you're reading, I could check it out directly. <br /> <br /> Cheers, <br /> <br /> Nele <br /> <br /> <br /> Claudia Márquez wrote: <br /> > Hey i was reading this new book i got. It is called "Mil Años de Manga" (Thousend years of manga). <br /> > <br /> > In the intro of the book they explain the meaning of the word manga. And it says something like this: <br /> > "The term manga has evolved and the only ones who still use it are the ones who were born before the war, who gave the meaning of "satire or critic politic character that is publish in the prense". For the after generations the word manga refers to the stamps of Edo era and not the comics. For refearing to the last ones they just use "comics", that groups mangas of all kind. <br /> > Paradoxically in occident we have choose the term manga, that is in disuse in japan." <br /> > (its a rough translate to english of the text) <br /> > <br /> > So i thought in japan they used the word manga to refer all type of comics, not just the ones maked in japan. And not the word comics. <br /> > <br /> > Someone can clarify me what is the word that it is used in japan?</div>

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#3 Claudia Márquez on 31 Aug 09

Thanks a lot for the explanation. Well the book has the bibliography in the end, but not exactly were did they took the info for the intro.

And yes. "Mil años de manga" was written by Brigitte Koyama-Richards.

Nele Noppe wrote:
> Does the book give any references for this claim? It sounds quite strange to me. Manga are sometimes referred to as "comics" ("komikku") in Japan, but the word "manga" is much more widely used. "Komikku" is sometimes used to refer to non-Japanese works, such as American comics or European strips, as opposed to Japanese works, or as a blanket term for all types of comics, or as a slightly more "posh" way of referring to Japanese manga -academics sometimes do this.
>
> As with every terminology issue, these aren't rules, of course. Terms are ofen used interchangeably. And the author of the book is correct in pointing out that manga-related Japanese terms are often given a different meaning by non-Japanese readers, so we should always be careful. But I think it's quite safe to say that in Japan, the word "manga" is in far wider use than the word "komikku" to indicate Japanese manga.
>
> By the way, is "Mil Años de Manga" the book by Brigitte Koyama-Richards? I think we have the English edition of that one lying around somewhere at work, if it's the same book you're reading, I could check it out directly.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Nele
>
>
> Claudia Márquez wrote:
> > Hey i was reading this new book i got. It is called "Mil Años de Manga" (Thousend years of manga).
> >
> > In the intro of the book they explain the meaning of the word manga. And it says something like this:
> > "The term manga has evolved and the only ones who still use it are the ones who were born before the war, who gave the meaning of "satire or critic politic character that is publish in the prense". For the after generations the word manga refers to the stamps of Edo era and not the comics. For refearing to the last ones they just use "comics", that groups mangas of all kind.
> > Paradoxically in occident we have choose the term manga, that is in disuse in japan."
> > (its a rough translate to english of the text)
> >
> > So i thought in japan they used the word manga to refer all type of comics, not just the ones maked in japan. And not the word comics.
> >
> > Someone can clarify me what is the word that it is used in japan?

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Thanks a lot for the explanation. Well the book has the bibliography in the end, but not exactly were did they took the info for the intro. <br /> <br /> And yes. "Mil años de manga" was written by Brigitte Koyama-Richards. <br /> <br /> Nele Noppe wrote: <br /> > Does the book give any references for this claim? It sounds quite strange to me. Manga are sometimes referred to as "comics" ("komikku") in Japan, but the word "manga" is much more widely used. "Komikku" is sometimes used to refer to non-Japanese works, such as American comics or European strips, as opposed to Japanese works, or as a blanket term for all types of comics, or as a slightly more "posh" way of referring to Japanese manga -academics sometimes do this. <br /> > <br /> > As with every terminology issue, these aren't rules, of course. Terms are ofen used interchangeably. And the author of the book is correct in pointing out that manga-related Japanese terms are often given a different meaning by non-Japanese readers, so we should always be careful. But I think it's quite safe to say that in Japan, the word "manga" is in far wider use than the word "komikku" to indicate Japanese manga. <br /> > <br /> > By the way, is "Mil Años de Manga" the book by Brigitte Koyama-Richards? I think we have the English edition of that one lying around somewhere at work, if it's the same book you're reading, I could check it out directly. <br /> > <br /> > Cheers, <br /> > <br /> > Nele <br /> > <br /> > <br /> > Claudia Márquez wrote: <br /> > > Hey i was reading this new book i got. It is called "Mil Años de Manga" (Thousend years of manga). <br /> > > <br /> > > In the intro of the book they explain the meaning of the word manga. And it says something like this: <br /> > > "The term manga has evolved and the only ones who still use it are the ones who were born before the war, who gave the meaning of "satire or critic politic character that is publish in the prense". For the after generations the word manga refers to the stamps of Edo era and not the comics. For refearing to the last ones they just use "comics", that groups mangas of all kind. <br /> > > Paradoxically in occident we have choose the term manga, that is in disuse in japan." <br /> > > (its a rough translate to english of the text) <br /> > > <br /> > > So i thought in japan they used the word manga to refer all type of comics, not just the ones maked in japan. And not the word comics. <br /> > > <br /> > > Someone can clarify me what is the word that it is used in japan?</div>

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#4 Nele Noppe on 01 Sep 09

Ah yes, I've got the original French edition here. She does say exactly that. The word "komikku" is used in Japan, certainly, but absolutely not to a degree that one could say it eclipses "manga" entirely, as Koyama-Richard suggests.

By the way, I haven't read the book in depth, but I don't quite agree with her assertion that all questions about the origins and nature of manga can be resolved by studying "ancient Japanese culture". Would we claim that all questions about the origins and nature of Flemish comic strips can be answered by looking at medieval Flemish painting? Of course there will be some resemblances, some degree of influence, but to say that centuries-old drawings are the direct ancestors of contemporary manga seems rather exaggerated. Just my opinion, of course.

Thanks for pointing out that terminology snafu in the introduction!

Nele

Claudia Márquez wrote:
> Thanks a lot for the explanation. Well the book has the bibliography in the end, but not exactly were did they took the info for the intro.
>
> And yes. "Mil años de manga" was written by Brigitte Koyama-Richards.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Ah yes, I've got the original French edition here. She does say exactly that. The word "komikku" is used in Japan, certainly, but absolutely not to a degree that one could say it eclipses "manga" entirely, as Koyama-Richard suggests. <br /> <br /> By the way, I haven't read the book in depth, but I don't quite agree with her assertion that all questions about the origins and nature of manga can be resolved by studying "ancient Japanese culture". Would we claim that all questions about the origins and nature of Flemish comic strips can be answered by looking at medieval Flemish painting? Of course there will be some resemblances, some degree of influence, but to say that centuries-old drawings are the direct ancestors of contemporary manga seems rather exaggerated. Just my opinion, of course. <br /> <br /> Thanks for pointing out that terminology snafu in the introduction! <br /> <br /> Nele <br /> <br /> <br /> Claudia Márquez wrote: <br /> > Thanks a lot for the explanation. Well the book has the bibliography in the end, but not exactly were did they took the info for the intro. <br /> > <br /> > And yes. "Mil años de manga" was written by Brigitte Koyama-Richards.</div>

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#6 Nele Noppe on 07 Sep 09

Sorry for the late reply! Yes, I don't think it's very useful to try and draw conclusions about manga based on some aspect of Hokusai's work. Hokusai may have made the word "manga" famous, but his drawings can't be having much impact now on a different art form that developed centuries afterwards. Today's manga and Hokusai's sketches are both part of Japan's long tradition of visual storytelling, but that's about it as far as connections go, I think.

Cheers,

Nele

> But in the part it talks about Edo era and Hokusai. The book says he can be consider as the predecessor of manga. Im guessing the author was just refering to the "manga" word, not the style, cause i dont see the connection between his work and what is manga today. Right?
>
> Nele Noppe wrote:
> > Ah yes, I've got the original French edition here. She does say exactly that. The word "komikku" is used in Japan, certainly, but absolutely not to a degree that one could say it eclipses "manga" entirely, as Koyama-Richard suggests.
> >
> > By the way, I haven't read the book in depth, but I don't quite agree with her assertion that all questions about the origins and nature of manga can be resolved by studying "ancient Japanese culture". Would we claim that all questions about the origins and nature of Flemish comic strips can be answered by looking at medieval Flemish painting? Of course there will be some resemblances, some degree of influence, but to say that centuries-old drawings are the direct ancestors of contemporary manga seems rather exaggerated. Just my opinion, of course.
> >
> > Thanks for pointing out that terminology snafu in the introduction!
> >
> > Nele

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Sorry for the late reply! Yes, I don't think it's very useful to try and draw conclusions about manga based on some aspect of Hokusai's work. Hokusai may have made the word "manga" famous, but his drawings can't be having much impact now on a different art form that developed centuries afterwards. Today's manga and Hokusai's sketches are both part of Japan's long tradition of visual storytelling, but that's about it as far as connections go, I think. <br /> <br /> Cheers, <br /> <br /> Nele <br /> <br /> <br /> > But in the part it talks about Edo era and Hokusai. The book says he can be consider as the predecessor of manga. Im guessing the author was just refering to the "manga" word, not the style, cause i dont see the connection between his work and what is manga today. Right? <br /> > <br /> > Nele Noppe wrote: <br /> > > Ah yes, I've got the original French edition here. She does say exactly that. The word "komikku" is used in Japan, certainly, but absolutely not to a degree that one could say it eclipses "manga" entirely, as Koyama-Richard suggests. <br /> > > <br /> > > By the way, I haven't read the book in depth, but I don't quite agree with her assertion that all questions about the origins and nature of manga can be resolved by studying "ancient Japanese culture". Would we claim that all questions about the origins and nature of Flemish comic strips can be answered by looking at medieval Flemish painting? Of course there will be some resemblances, some degree of influence, but to say that centuries-old drawings are the direct ancestors of contemporary manga seems rather exaggerated. Just my opinion, of course. <br /> > > <br /> > > Thanks for pointing out that terminology snafu in the introduction! <br /> > > <br /> > > Nele</div>

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