THE JAPAN NEWS


 

KUMAMOTO — A special exhibition is being held at two museums in two towns in Kumamoto Prefecture, showcasing popular manga artists’ illustrations supporting the prefecture hit by the Kumamoto Earthquake in April.

The exhibition is called “‘Kumamoto kara Genki o!’ Kawasaki Noboru Yushi Ichido to Kumamon Ganbare-e Tokubetsuten” (Cheer up from Kumamoto! A special exhibition by Noboru Kawasaki and other artists with illustrations in support of Kumamon). It will run through Jan. 31 next year at the Yunomae Manga Museum in Yunomae and the Takamori Yusuikan museum in Takamori.

Following a large foreshock that hit the prefecture on April 14, veteran manga artist Tetsuya Chiba, famed for “Ashita no Joe” (Tomorrow’s Joe), drew crying animals with Kumamon, the prefecture’s popular mascot created for regional tourism promotion, on his blog.

Other artists followed suit, creating illustrations in support of the prefecture — Joji Morikawa, known for “Hajime no Ippo” (The Fighting!), and Hajime Isayama, who is known for “Shingeki no Kyojin” (Attack on Titan), also uploaded their illustrations on the internet.

The exhibition shows illustrations by manga artists around the world who submitted works in response to an invitation by Noboru Kawasaki, who is known for the baseball manga “Kyojin no Hoshi” (Star of the Giants). He lives in Kikuyo in the prefecture.

About 75 pieces are on display at the Yunomae Manga Museum and about 35 at Takamori Yusuikan. Admission is free to both.


The Yunomae Manga Museum is closed from Dec. 28 to Jan. 3. The Takamori Yusuikan is closed on Mondays (except national holidays, when it will close the next day) and from Dec. 29 to Jan. 3. Visit the websites of the Yunomae Manga Museum (http://yunomae-manga.com) and Takamori Yusuikan

(www.town.takamori.kumamoto.jp/kankoevent/newevent/2016/10/
post-58.html) for more information.