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Overview: Sean Michael Wilson is a Scottish comic book writer from Edinburgh. He has written more than 40 books with a variety of US, UK and Japanese publishers and has been nominated for both the Eisner and Harvey awards and won a medal in the Japanese government’s International Manga Award in 2016, becoming the first British person to receive such a distinction.
Genre: Comics
Bushido: The Soul of the Samurai:
This graphic novel version of the cult classic Bushido brings the timeless secrets of the samurai to life. Originally published in 1905, Bushido was the first book to introduce Westerners to the samurai ethos. Written by Inazo Nitobe, one of the foremost Japanese authors and educators of the time, it describes the characteristics and virtues that are associated with bushido: honor, courage, justice, loyalty and self-control and explains the philosophy behind how samurai were educated and trained, the connection between the sword and the samurai, seppuku and the position of women in samurai culture, among other themes. To this day, Bushido is considered a must-read for anyone who wants to understanding the soul of Japan and navigate their world with integrity and honor.
Manga Yokai Stories: Ghostly Tales From Japan:
These classic Japanese ghost stories are based on those written by famed author Lafcadio Hearn between 1890 and 1904. Here, they are retold by award-winning comic book writer Sean Michael Wilson, who has garnered a worldwide fan base for his manga adaptations of works of Japanese literature, including such classics as The Book of Five Rings and The Demon’s Sermon on the Martial Arts.
Musashi:
Miyamoto Musashi, the legendary samurai, is known throughout the world as a master swordsman, a spiritual seeker and the author of the classic Book of Five Rings. This graphic novel treatment of his amazing life is both a vivid account of a fascinating period in feudal Japan and a portrait of courageous, iconoclastic samurai who wrestled with philosophical and spiritual ideas that are as relevant today as they were in his time. For Musashi, the way of the martial arts was about mastery of the mind rather than simply technical prowess.
Tao Te Ching:
This graphic novel version of the Tao Te Ching, the poetic classic that is the philosophical and religious basis of Taoism, brings the teachings into a modern light in a completely fresh and unique way. Each of the 81 poem-passages of the Tao Te Ching is reinterpreted by award-winning graphic novel writer Sean Michael Wilson and brought to life by the artful illustrations of Hong Kong artist Cary Kwok, who sets the text in various contemporary scenes to bring out the modern relevance.
The 47 Ronin:
In the 18th century, 47 samurai avenged the death of their master in a plot that would take over two years to complete. After succeeding in their mission, the masterless samurai, known as ronin, all committed ritual suicide. The story, which is a national legend, remains the most potent example of Japan’s deeply rooted cultural imperative of honor, persistence, loyalty and sacrifice. The historical event has inspired many writers and artists over the years and numerous fictionalized versions and adaptations have emerged. In The 47 Ronin, Sean Michael Wilson has created a historically factual portrait, enhanced by evocative and often lyrical drawings by Akiko Shimojima. While there are other depictions of the story in manga form, this version stands out as being the most accurate and most compelling. Wilson and Shimojima have made the characters nuanced and relatable.
The Demon’s Sermon on the Martial Arts:
The Demon’s Sermon on the Martial Arts is a classic collection of martial arts tales, written by the 18th century samurai Issai Chozanshi. Featuring demons, insects, birds, cats and numerous other creatures, the stories here may seem whimsical, but they contain essential teachings that offer insight into the fundamental principles of the martial arts. This graphic novel version based on Chozanshi’s text brings these tales alive in a captivating and immediately accessible way. Infused with Chozanshi’s deep understanding of Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Shinto, the tales elucidate the nature of conflict, the importance of following one’s own nature, yin and yang, the cultivation and transformation of ch’i (life energy) and the attainment of mushin (no-mind). Ultimately, the reader learns in a visually exciting way that the path of the sword is a path of self-knowledge and leads to an understanding of life itself.
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