Jiji Manga (1926-05-16) by Kitazawa RakutenBujalance Collection
What is Jiji Manga?
Inspired by comic books from the US, Jiji Manga was the comic supplement that appeared in the Sunday edition of the Jiji Shimpo newspaper from January 1902. .
Jiji Manga (1928-06-07) by Kitazawa RakutenBujalance Collection
This was the first time that the word manga appeared in the title of a publication, marking the start of its wider use.
Jiji Manga (1926-08-01) by Kitazawa RakutenBujalance Collection
Its cartoonist was the famous Kitazawa Yasuji (1876–1955), who was known by the pseudonym Kitazawa Rakuten.
Jiji Manga (1929-03-17) by Kitazawa RakutenBujalance Collection
During the years from the late Meiji era through the early Shōwa era, Kitazawa drew a large number of comic strips, as well as cartoons for the front covers.
His comics were inspired by the comic strips in US magazines, such as The Katzenjammer Kids and The Yellow Kid.
Jiji Manga (1926-02-21) by Kitazawa RakutenBujalance Collection
Many historians consider Kitazawa to be the founding father of modern manga, and his work has been a source of inspiration for many other artists.
Jiji Manga (1924-07-16) by Kitazawa RakutenBujalance Collection
The fact he included celebrity caricatures, comic strips from foreign newspapers and by amateur readers, and even puzzles, suggests that his vision of manga was very broad.
Jiji Manga (1925-08-02) by Kitazawa RakutenBujalance Collection
In his explanation in the first Jiji Manga supplement, he ironically listed the benefits of manga.
Jiji Manga (1928-07-01) by Kitazawa RakutenBujalance Collection
He claimed that a love for manga enriched people's lives, cured evil, and ensured that families and countries were more prosperous.
Jiji Manga (1927-08-28) by Kitazawa RakutenBujalance Collection
Kitazawa was not completely removed from the past, as some of his narrative themes were rooted in the Edo period (1603–1867). However, the style and design of his cartoons did not follow the tradition of Japanese visual arts.
Jiji Manga (1924-07-13) by Kitazawa RakutenBujalance Collection
Kitazawa felt frustrated by the lack of freedom to draw political cartoons in Jiji Manga.
Jiji Manga (1924-06-15) by Kitazawa RakutenBujalance Collection
During World War II, he was president of Nihon Manga Hōkō Kai, a society of cartoonists that the government set up to support the war effort.
Jiji Manga (1929-03-24) by Kitazawa RakutenBujalance Collection
After the war, Kitazawa worked on the creation of the Saitama Municipal Cartoon Art Museum (Saitama Shiritsu Manga Kaikan).
Jiji Manga (1926-12-05) by Kitazawa RakutenBujalance Collection
Kitazawa never stopped drawing. He founded an academy specializing in cartoons and manga. Among his students were famous cartoonists and animators.
