TIMES OF BOTCHAN GN (2025)

"The Meiji era (1868-1912) was one of Japanese history's defining periods, a time of massive change from the more traditional Tokugawa era to a positioning of Japan in the modern world. Contemporary writer, Soseki Natsume, suffered due to all the social and cultural changes, and expressed his feelings through his character Botchan. Sekigawa explores the period through an adult point-of-view, and Taniguchi's art portrays the material with exquisite and elegant detail. Presented in traditional Japanese format reading."

"by Natsuo Sekigawa & Jiro Taniguchi The Meiji era (1868-1912) was probably the most defining period in Japanese history. It was a time of massive change from the more traditional Tokugawa era to a positioning of Japan in the modern world. Contemporary writer, Soseki Natsume, suffered due to all the social and cultural changes, and expressed his feelings through his character Botchan, a classic in the vein of Mark Twain and Charles Dickens. This massive work, which is over 10 volumes in length, could have been but an informed text book. However, the solid script by Sekigawa explores the period through an adult point-of-view, whilst the art by Taniguchi portrays the material with exquisite and elegant detail. An internationally renowned work finally available in English. Presented in traditional Japanese format reading right to left."

"(W) Natuo Sekikawa (A) Jiro Taniguchi The Meiji Period (1867-1912) were important, formative years of modern Japan. Contemporary author Soseki Natsume wrote of his experiences in this fast-changing world, in the mold of Charles Dickens or Mark Twain. The Times of Botchan is a fictionalised account of Natsume and his circle of poets and writers as they intersect with events and famous characters of the time. The story focuses on the relationship between Army Medical Officer and poet, Ôgai Mori, and the German dancer Elise Weigert, 'Autumn's Ballerina,' and the strains placed on it by Japanese society."