Where's Wally?
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Rhod poses with Osamu Tezuka's famous creations. After falling in love with his series of graphic novels illustrating the life of Buddha, I have been hooked on his work. To say he is the Disney of Japan would mislead, for although he is certainly the foundation upon which Japanese manga and anime is built, he was far more prolific and his works often epic masterpieces dealing with subjects Disney himself most likely would have quailed at (Ode to Kirihito being a prime example). I have just begun reading Tezuka's tales of three men called Adolf (including Hitler himself), which may seem rather an odd topic for a comic, but is a look at the world through German and Japanese eyes in the lead up to WWII.
For a long time we had been meaning to take a look at Osamu Tezuka World in Theatre Land, Kyoto Station. We followed the little statue of Astroboy, helpfully pointing us on our way into...into...a shop! Confused, we walked about the foyer, mostly booking offices for the theatres upstairs and restaurants. The shop was obvious, and also a minute theatre showing clips of Tezuka's work. But a few garish statues, a memorandom on Tezuka and a billboard for people to have their picture taken. That was it. I think 'World' was overselling it somewhat. Purchasing a few cool items, we left a bit bamboozled. Takarazuka (between Kobe and Kyoto) is where the true museum is, Tezuka's birthplace. It should have been titled 'Tezuka Shopping Opportunities'. |
