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The Wonderful World of Sazae-san #2
The Wonderful World of Sazae-San
In the gloomy years following Japan's defeat in World War II, years marked by food shortages and grim living conditions, the daily comic strip Sazaesan brought a desperately needed ray of sunshine and laughter into Japanese homes. Since its first publication in 1946, it has delighted two generations and become a phenomenal publishing success, with more than 62 million copies sold in book form. A host of popular adaptations has appeared in other media: radio programs, an animated television series, even movies.The secret of Sazae-san's success is its cheerful (if perennially scatterbrained) heroine, Sazae, and her very ordinary family. Their trials and tribulations poke gentle fun at everyday Japanese life, allowing readers to share in jokes at their own expense. Sazae-san offers a rare glimpse into the daily life of the average Japanese family -- a cultural education disguised as affectionate and often hilarious entertainment. And for those looking for a fun way to study language, the text of the strip is given in both English and Japanese.
200 pages, Paperback
18 people want to read
About the author
Machiko Hasegawa
229 books6 followers長谷川 町子 in Japanese
She started her own comic strip, Sazae-san, in 1946. It reached national circulation via the Asahi Shimbun in 1949,and ran daily until Hasegawa decided to retire in February 1974. All of her comics were printed in Japan in digests of comic book form; by the mid-1990s, Hasegawa's estate had sold over 60 million copies in Japan alone.
Her comic strip was turned into a dramatic radio series in 1955 and a weekly animated series in 1969, which is still running as of 2010.
Selected comics were translated into English, under the title The Wonderful World of Sazae-san.
Hasegawa Machiko remained single all her life. All her comic books were published by Shimai-sha which her sister ran. In 1985, Machiko opened her own art gallery and exhibited her original works. Even though she was sometimes hospitalized with a stomach ailment, she continued to draw the comic strip. After she died, she was awarded a posthumous prize by the Prime Minister. "Sazae- san" hasn't declined in popularity even after her death, on the contrary, it is still loved and read by many people.
She started her own comic strip, Sazae-san, in 1946. It reached national circulation via the Asahi Shimbun in 1949,and ran daily until Hasegawa decided to retire in February 1974. All of her comics were printed in Japan in digests of comic book form; by the mid-1990s, Hasegawa's estate had sold over 60 million copies in Japan alone.
Her comic strip was turned into a dramatic radio series in 1955 and a weekly animated series in 1969, which is still running as of 2010.
Selected comics were translated into English, under the title The Wonderful World of Sazae-san.
Hasegawa Machiko remained single all her life. All her comic books were published by Shimai-sha which her sister ran. In 1985, Machiko opened her own art gallery and exhibited her original works. Even though she was sometimes hospitalized with a stomach ailment, she continued to draw the comic strip. After she died, she was awarded a posthumous prize by the Prime Minister. "Sazae- san" hasn't declined in popularity even after her death, on the contrary, it is still loved and read by many people.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 30, 2007
As I mentioned about volume 1 of this series, it's basically the story of post-war Japan in great detail - meaning it takes place in a family setting. I didn't find these cartoon series funny whatsoever, but my wife (from Kysush, Japan) tells me other wise. What I do get out of the comic strip is life under harsh times. There is beauty (of sorts) in this series. Check it out.
May 29, 2013
I laughed more in this one than in the first volume. There are some real gems in here. If I wasn't so lazy right now, I'd post an example. You know what?- it's kinda like the family-friendly post-war Japan version of Seinfeld. Have you ever noticed how the rations officer is everybody's best friend until rations are distributed? *knowing laughter *
June 28, 2009
This is a wonderful series, really nicely translated, evoking a certain period of Japanese life with humour, fondness and something very Japanese. I just really enjoy this series. Another EPIC find.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews