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大奥 [Ōoku] #12
大奧 12
醫療篇，衝擊性的結局！
田沼意次、青沼、平賀源內、黑木、伊兵衛，以及十一代將軍家齊……
撲滅赤面痘瘡的強烈意志不斷傳承下去。這份信念最後的終點會是——？
接著，新的時代再度展開。
田沼意次、青沼、平賀源內、黑木、伊兵衛，以及十一代將軍家齊……
撲滅赤面痘瘡的強烈意志不斷傳承下去。這份信念最後的終點會是——？
接著，新的時代再度展開。
236 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
5 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Fumi Yoshinaga
158 books248 followersJapanese: よしなが ふみ
Fumi Yoshinaga (よしなが ふみ Yoshinaga Fumi, born 1971) is a Japanese manga artist known for her shōjo and shōnen-ai works.
Fumi Yoshinaga was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1971. She attended the prestigious Keio University in Tokyo.
In an interview, she said that "I want to show the people who didn't win, whose dreams didn't come true. It is not possible for everybody to get first prize. I want my readers to understand the happiness that people can get from trying hard, going through the process, and getting frustrated."
Little is known about her personal life. She mentions that her favourite operas are those by Mozart in the author's note of Solfege.
She debuted in 1994 with The Moon and the Sandals, serialized in Hanaoto magazine, but was previously a participant in comic markets.
Of Yoshinaga's many works, several have been licensed internationally. She was also selected and exhibited as one of the "Twenty Major Manga artist Who Contributed to the World of Shōjo Manga (World War II to Present)" for Professor Masami Toku's exhibition, "Shōjo Manga: Girl Power!" at CSU-Chico.
Outside of her work with Japanese publishers, she also self-publishes original doujinshi on a regular basis, most notably for Antique Bakery. Yoshinaga has also drawn fan parodies of Slam Dunk, Rose of Versailles, and Legend of Galactic Heroes.
Fumi Yoshinaga (よしなが ふみ Yoshinaga Fumi, born 1971) is a Japanese manga artist known for her shōjo and shōnen-ai works.
Fumi Yoshinaga was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1971. She attended the prestigious Keio University in Tokyo.
In an interview, she said that "I want to show the people who didn't win, whose dreams didn't come true. It is not possible for everybody to get first prize. I want my readers to understand the happiness that people can get from trying hard, going through the process, and getting frustrated."
Little is known about her personal life. She mentions that her favourite operas are those by Mozart in the author's note of Solfege.
She debuted in 1994 with The Moon and the Sandals, serialized in Hanaoto magazine, but was previously a participant in comic markets.
Of Yoshinaga's many works, several have been licensed internationally. She was also selected and exhibited as one of the "Twenty Major Manga artist Who Contributed to the World of Shōjo Manga (World War II to Present)" for Professor Masami Toku's exhibition, "Shōjo Manga: Girl Power!" at CSU-Chico.
Outside of her work with Japanese publishers, she also self-publishes original doujinshi on a regular basis, most notably for Antique Bakery. Yoshinaga has also drawn fan parodies of Slam Dunk, Rose of Versailles, and Legend of Galactic Heroes.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 23, 2018
Ooku is an amazing alternative history series set in Edo period Japan. The central “alt” premise is that the Red Pox has killed off 75% of the male population in less than a century. Women take over all the roles traditionally granted to men, including the Shogun. And one intriguing aspect is a sexual one; the most beautiful men are assigned to the Inner Chamber. The series began in 2005, but I didn’t begin reading manga until around 2014, I think, but have been reading it over the last few years, still catching up a bit.
Early on, the sexual intrigues were most central and interesting, and they still can be, of course, as women are in power—the brothels only feature men, for instance--but in this volume the urgency is around the cure for the Pox. One struggle is between Ienari and his psychotic, domineering mother who is killing off her courtiers and grandsons. As more and more men are appearing with the success of the cure, she kills off more and more of them. In one scene she tells her couriers they all must eat some rare delicacies, but also tells them one of the portions is poisoned. At one point in the volume, she turns with murderous intent to her own son, after she finds he has been working with a doctor to effect the cure in the region.
For those unfamiliar with it, Yoshinaga bases her work on deep research into the period, and her drawing and comics work are amazing. So you wonder: Do are women very much different than men in power? That women would do a better job of running the world is now a commonplace consideration these days (on the left, at least) as more and more women are getting elected in the U.S., a view I have subscribed to, generally. But Yoshinaga doesn't simplify things. The world isn't necessarily better because women are in charge. What Yoshinaga does to “normalize” the existence of glbt issues in this context is interesting. I never liked the awkward translation, but it sends a wrong signal to give this any less than 5 stars as I did years ago because of that, so I am going to fix that.
This last volume focuses on the development of science and the need to make connections with the west. At the end of the volume Admiral Perry arrives in Japan to signal the modern period.
I was reminded to read this again after reading the humorous Woman World by Aminder Dhaliwal, where all men have been dead for many years, and recalls the dystopian Y: The Last Man by Brian Vaughn and Pia Guerra.
Early on, the sexual intrigues were most central and interesting, and they still can be, of course, as women are in power—the brothels only feature men, for instance--but in this volume the urgency is around the cure for the Pox. One struggle is between Ienari and his psychotic, domineering mother who is killing off her courtiers and grandsons. As more and more men are appearing with the success of the cure, she kills off more and more of them. In one scene she tells her couriers they all must eat some rare delicacies, but also tells them one of the portions is poisoned. At one point in the volume, she turns with murderous intent to her own son, after she finds he has been working with a doctor to effect the cure in the region.
For those unfamiliar with it, Yoshinaga bases her work on deep research into the period, and her drawing and comics work are amazing. So you wonder: Do are women very much different than men in power? That women would do a better job of running the world is now a commonplace consideration these days (on the left, at least) as more and more women are getting elected in the U.S., a view I have subscribed to, generally. But Yoshinaga doesn't simplify things. The world isn't necessarily better because women are in charge. What Yoshinaga does to “normalize” the existence of glbt issues in this context is interesting. I never liked the awkward translation, but it sends a wrong signal to give this any less than 5 stars as I did years ago because of that, so I am going to fix that.
This last volume focuses on the development of science and the need to make connections with the west. At the end of the volume Admiral Perry arrives in Japan to signal the modern period.
I was reminded to read this again after reading the humorous Woman World by Aminder Dhaliwal, where all men have been dead for many years, and recalls the dystopian Y: The Last Man by Brian Vaughn and Pia Guerra.
July 24, 2017
My heart will always belong to the earliest book in this my very favorite manga in the world but Issue 12 is certainly an excellent one. For those following the story the time and place may be familiar but this is Edo Japan if 90% of the male population had been killed off by a vicious disease called "The Red Face Pox," a terrifying disease that has made women the dominant gender who control every facet of society.
As volume 12 begins the shogun Ienari is still subservient to his domineering and psychotic mother who now spends her days torturing her courtiers and killing off any grandchildren who annoy her. Ienari is dedicated to destroying the red pox once and for all and convinces a local doctor who came close to curing the disease years before to move to the palace and work on a cure. But his mother has eyes everywhere and she won't hesitate to remove anyone she perceives as a threat to her own security.
This volume hearkened back to the earlier, more wistfully romantic Ooku but balanced it with the sense of urgency in the country to rid themselves of the disease. Foreign powers are coming increasingly close to isolated Japan's shores and they will not hesitate to make a move on a country ruled entirely by women. As ever its also fascinating to see how the gender dynamics play out and we're finally getting at least a glimpse at how the rest of world might respond to their situation. Yosinaga very wisely doesn't simplify things. The world isn't better because women are in charge, there are consequences and hardships that result in a female dominated society where the ones in power also stand a very high chance of dropping dead in childbirth and are most likely incapable of physically fending off any serious attack on the country. She really spends time analyzing what history would have looked like in this situation and couples that with breathtaking illustrations that never fail to capture me utterly.
There's at least one more volume to go here and I'm very interested to see how Yoshinaga moves us further into Japan's modern era with the arrival of Admiral Perry. This series is an absolute treasure.
As volume 12 begins the shogun Ienari is still subservient to his domineering and psychotic mother who now spends her days torturing her courtiers and killing off any grandchildren who annoy her. Ienari is dedicated to destroying the red pox once and for all and convinces a local doctor who came close to curing the disease years before to move to the palace and work on a cure. But his mother has eyes everywhere and she won't hesitate to remove anyone she perceives as a threat to her own security.
This volume hearkened back to the earlier, more wistfully romantic Ooku but balanced it with the sense of urgency in the country to rid themselves of the disease. Foreign powers are coming increasingly close to isolated Japan's shores and they will not hesitate to make a move on a country ruled entirely by women. As ever its also fascinating to see how the gender dynamics play out and we're finally getting at least a glimpse at how the rest of world might respond to their situation. Yosinaga very wisely doesn't simplify things. The world isn't better because women are in charge, there are consequences and hardships that result in a female dominated society where the ones in power also stand a very high chance of dropping dead in childbirth and are most likely incapable of physically fending off any serious attack on the country. She really spends time analyzing what history would have looked like in this situation and couples that with breathtaking illustrations that never fail to capture me utterly.
There's at least one more volume to go here and I'm very interested to see how Yoshinaga moves us further into Japan's modern era with the arrival of Admiral Perry. This series is an absolute treasure.
August 30, 2025
Vol. 7 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 8 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 9 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 10 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 11 ★★★★☆
A fantastic volume from start to finish. Seeing Ienari and Kuroki trying to get the vaccine out before Harusada notices something is awry had me on the edge of my seat. On top of that, Ienari's relationship with his mother is fascinating. Despite being scared of her and resenting the control she exerts over him, he loves her dearly to the point where he would rather side with her than with his consort Shige, even though he has also been wronged by her. It's incredibly realistic and tragic. Another dimension to it is that he has so many children that he would never come close to understanding the loss that Shige has suffered.
Vol. 8 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 9 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 10 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 11 ★★★★☆
A fantastic volume from start to finish. Seeing Ienari and Kuroki trying to get the vaccine out before Harusada notices something is awry had me on the edge of my seat. On top of that, Ienari's relationship with his mother is fascinating. Despite being scared of her and resenting the control she exerts over him, he loves her dearly to the point where he would rather side with her than with his consort Shige, even though he has also been wronged by her. It's incredibly realistic and tragic. Another dimension to it is that he has so many children that he would never come close to understanding the loss that Shige has suffered.
January 26, 2019
This series always captivates me. This volume knocked down and set up some dramatic and potentially devastating issues with much to-do and prettiness. Good stuff!
January 10, 2023
将軍が男性なだけで、自分の興味が薄れるのを感じる。
が、女性に翻弄された将軍だったというのは確か。
賢い女性は好きだ(御台様凄い)
....そしてペリー！！！あっと言う間に19世紀半ばに。
が、女性に翻弄された将軍だったというのは確か。
賢い女性は好きだ(御台様凄い)
....そしてペリー！！！あっと言う間に19世紀半ばに。
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April 10, 2022達成疫苗超高接種率，病毒消失，準備開放國境（不對）
September 30, 2022
This volume - AKA:
And just when I think the series may be running out of steam, it socks me in the gut - hard!
This volume finally sees the end of the Red Face pox so it does feel like an end of the macro / SFF plotline. As a result, a lot of storylines are wrapped up which leave the volume both feeling sad and satisfying. However, we did end up with a bit of cliffhanger (if it can be a cliffhanger given the history) but we are now approaching the twilight of the Tokugawa Shogunate so I am interesting in seeing how the author handles the advent of the Western powers into Japan.
I am prepared with a lot more tissues.
As for this volume - 5 easy stars. for the exploration of the use / abuse of power, families, gender and generally crushing my heart. There is even a thread here of science and its challenge to political power which was excellent - and especially poignant these days.
So good
And just when I think the series may be running out of steam, it socks me in the gut - hard!
This volume finally sees the end of the Red Face pox so it does feel like an end of the macro / SFF plotline. As a result, a lot of storylines are wrapped up which leave the volume both feeling sad and satisfying. However, we did end up with a bit of cliffhanger (if it can be a cliffhanger given the history) but we are now approaching the twilight of the Tokugawa Shogunate so I am interesting in seeing how the author handles the advent of the Western powers into Japan.
I am prepared with a lot more tissues.
As for this volume - 5 easy stars. for the exploration of the use / abuse of power, families, gender and generally crushing my heart. There is even a thread here of science and its challenge to political power which was excellent - and especially poignant these days.
So good
May 23, 2021
Hoy ando inspirada así que voilà mi reseña. Qué final de arco más satisfactorio, desde que comenzó (al final del tomo 8) me llamó muchísimo la atención los personajes, sus ideales, sus sueños y sus objetivos. Es cierto que la obra se centra principalmente en la realeza y el pabellón de por sí, pero el interactuar más con otros personajes que no son la realeza y que su misión sea crucial para el destino del pueblo de Japón me fascina. Personajes como Aonuma, Gennai, Kuroki e Ihe son la razón por lo que confirma que las personas que son apasionadas por algo y lo utilizan para ayudar a otros, son personas nobles y que no merecen lo cruel que es el mundo.
El final del arco con este tomo es excelente. Llevar todo el suspenso, la cólera, la frustración y darle una conclusión tan satisfactoria es lo que también confirma que no solo el arte de Fumi Yoshinaga es hermoso, sino también la manera en que maneja una historia tan bestial y grande es magistral.
Total, me emocioné, lloré y murmuré un par de groserías (ya saben a quién jeje). Estoy pensando seriamente en comprarlo por el impacto que me dejó.
P.D. Gennai best personaje.
El final del arco con este tomo es excelente. Llevar todo el suspenso, la cólera, la frustración y darle una conclusión tan satisfactoria es lo que también confirma que no solo el arte de Fumi Yoshinaga es hermoso, sino también la manera en que maneja una historia tan bestial y grande es magistral.
Total, me emocioné, lloré y murmuré un par de groserías (ya saben a quién jeje). Estoy pensando seriamente en comprarlo por el impacto que me dejó.
P.D. Gennai best personaje.
January 8, 2017
i was about to write that it's been a long time since this series featured a really notable female character, but then realized that hiraga gennai's story arc was only 2 volumes ago. suppose it feels that way because it takes roughly a year for each volume to come out. anyhow, there's some awesome female badassery in this one - and a beautifully rendered, understated relationship in which love is figured first and foremost as companionship (rui!) - and messy life stories, which yoshinaga thankfully never attempts to contain with tidy endings - and political machinations, tipped with poison - all mapped onto an alternate history that constantly weaves in and out of the reader's expectations, to (this particular reader's) ever-growing delight.
so: business as usual, hurrah! am supremely mad at myself for packing volume 13 away in a box that is most likely still making its way across the pacific ocean; this volume ends on a spectacular cliffhanger, and i cannot WAIT to see how yoshinaga handles meiji.
so: business as usual, hurrah! am supremely mad at myself for packing volume 13 away in a box that is most likely still making its way across the pacific ocean; this volume ends on a spectacular cliffhanger, and i cannot WAIT to see how yoshinaga handles meiji.
June 3, 2017
Ooku continues to be one of the best series I've read, I love the realistically created alternate history. I love the rich backstories and personalities of the characters. I love the generational plots.
One thing the series is doing extremely well, is covering such a great span of time, yet remaining true to characters that hold their own in each volume, despite being only small players in such an epic, decade spanning, story.
Each beautifully drawn panel adds to the story, the language, the plot, it all comes together into a series I'd recommend for manga fans, for history fans, and for Women's studies classes. This series would make for great discussion material for any of those groups and more.
One thing the series is doing extremely well, is covering such a great span of time, yet remaining true to characters that hold their own in each volume, despite being only small players in such an epic, decade spanning, story.
Each beautifully drawn panel adds to the story, the language, the plot, it all comes together into a series I'd recommend for manga fans, for history fans, and for Women's studies classes. This series would make for great discussion material for any of those groups and more.
August 1, 2021
Une entrée particulièrement bonne dans la série qui combine ce que la série fait de mieux: drame de cours, politique intérieure et international, développement scientifique et des personnages aux motifs opposés, dont on croit parfaitement les motifs, avec des drames interpersonnels intenses, des rebondissements inattendus et des résolutions (ou non) intenses.
L'aspect un peu plus contenu de l'histoire (bien qu'elle suit vraiment le tome précédent) avec une "résolution" et une ouverture vers la fin aide peut-être ce jugement d'avoir une histoire complète et intéressante.
L'aspect un peu plus contenu de l'histoire (bien qu'elle suit vraiment le tome précédent) avec une "résolution" et une ouverture vers la fin aide peut-être ce jugement d'avoir une histoire complète et intéressante.
March 1, 2020
History marches on! The new shogun, male for the first time in generations, takes an interest in curing the red-faced pox. But will he be able to outsmart his cruel mother and win the trust of people the shogunat has wronged?
Still enjoying this! Especially this volume as it had a most excellent revenge tale. And what an ominous yet hopeful cliffhanger!
Still enjoying this! Especially this volume as it had a most excellent revenge tale. And what an ominous yet hopeful cliffhanger!
October 23, 2017
godddd, i can't wait for volume thirteen; yoshinaga's gotten to the point where the story's on the verge of converging with history as it occurred and i can't wait to see how she handles commodore perry and the opening of japan's ports
4 stars
4 stars
December 23, 2019
Well, this volumes sees Harusada meet a fitting end. We also Kuroki's & Ienari's work complete as they vanquish the redface pox and pass their work on to their sons. As things wrap up we've gone through some male shoguns only to see a woman take power again as Perry's black ships arrive.
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October 13, 2022GIRLBOSSING! The twist between (former? ;3) rivals was so good. Not to mention the progression to another male shogun and a functioning redpox vaccine? We are clearing out this entire arc of 'history'.
Also hi Commodore Matthew Perry.
Also hi Commodore Matthew Perry.
September 17, 2019
It’s interesting how this series engages with the ideas of how children often end up following the paths of their parents eventually, even if they did not mean to do so at first. Very intriguing.
September 22, 2019
Still moving along in the storyline and eradication of the redface pox.
March 21, 2021
兩代男將軍之後又是女將軍了，終於畫到黑船來航啦，究竟末代將軍會不會性轉呢？如果照劇情男性存活率大增，大概幕末幾個戰爭都還是殺男人吧，不然很難圓過去，但德川慶喜如果沒性轉就太沒意思啦
December 16, 2022
Quite a bit happens in this volume: Ienari comes into his own as shogun, the redface pox gets cured, and Harusada gets her just reward. There's a great twist here, too.
November 26, 2023
Un peu de mal à me replonger dedans après plus d'un an de pause dans la série...
June 16, 2024
Battling the redface pox takes the court intrigue to a new level.
November 7, 2016
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
I am continually impressed at how Yoshinaga has managed to create such an incredible story but through the manga form. History that is painstakingly researched - from medicine to astronomy, social to political, rich and poor alike - yet also crafted into an impressive and engaging story underneath. Her ability to create rich triumphs and devastating defeats within this winding timeline is unparalleled.Story: Ienari is under the iron dominance of his mother yet he plans a small rebellion of his own. He enlists the aid of doctor ryojun in secret to renew the work to end the red face pox. But Ienari's mother has plans of her own and it doesn't involve a son who develops a political agenda outside of hers. Double crosses, twists, and surprises abound as a new attempt is made to end the pox that has killed so many of the male population. And then strange black ships appear on the horizon....
This feels so real - as if it could actually have taken place. The strengths and weaknesses of the characters as well as the politcal and social machinations are spot on. It's always a real nailbiter to see who will succeed and who will fail - with failure often meaning death.
I also greatly appreciate that this is a generations story. Where the forebearers are strong, often the progeny end up very weak and ineffectual - so very much like real life. This story always hits such a note of accuracy in its nuances; life is never black and white and no one is good or evil. Typically, just selfish or not.
I have greatly enjoyed Ooku and look forward to where it will go now that the Americans and Commodore Perry have arrived on Japanese shores. It's so amazing how the story and the actual history are combined into something so fascinating. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
November 24, 2016
One of the most exciting installments of Ôoku so far! The attempts to cure the red-faced pox continue, but the doctors have to navigate around the former shogun and her intrigues to make it. Very good, with some really surprising twists, and it ends on a cliffhangery note. The only bad thing is that I suspect that the next volume will be a while in coming.
February 2, 2017
Still, good, still amazing, and I can't help the feeling it's about to end, which will be a pity. It is slowly merging the "alternate reality" with our reality in a very clever way.
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August 1, 2018Shige!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews