The Minamata Story: An EcoTragedy - Softcover

Wilson, Sean Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1611720567 ISBN 13: 9781611720563

Publisher: Stone Bridge Press, 2021

Synopsis

A powerful graphic novel /manga that tells the story of "Minamata disease," a debilitating and sometimes fatal condition caused by the Chisso chemical factory's careless release of methylmercury into the waters of the coastal community of Minamata in southern Japan. First identified in 1956, it became a hot topic in Japan in the 1970s and 80s, growing into an iconic struggle between people versus corporations and government agencies. This struggle is relevant today, not simply because many people are still living with the disease but also because, in this time of growing concern over the safety of our environment--viz. Flint, Michigan--Minamata gives us as a very moving example of such human-caused environmental disasters and what we can do about them.

About this title

About the Author

Sean Michael Wilson is a comic book writer from Scotland. He has had more than 30 books published with a variety of US, UK and Japanese publishers. Working with various Japanese artists he has written a unique line of Japanese history/martial arts books, including The Book of Five Rings, Yakuza Moon and Black Ships.  In 2016 his book The Faceless Ghost was nominated for the prestigious Eisner Book Awards and received a medal in the 2016 'Independent Publisher Book Awards'. In 2017, his book Secrets of the Ninja won an International Manga Award from the Japanese government - he is the first British person to receive this award.

Akiko Shimojima is a comic artist from Japan. Her career began when she was in a university in NY. Her comics have been published by several companies in Japan and other countries. She has been working with Sean Michael Wilson, on various projects, including The 47 Ronin, Bushido, and the Satsuma Rebellion. Her book Cold Mountain was the winner of the China Comic and Animation Competition 2015 ‘Best Overseas Comic’ award. She also teaches how to draw digital comics at a college in Tokyo.

Brian Small is an environmental activist and teacher at Minami Kyushu University.

Review

REVIEWS OF AUTHOR'S PREVIOUS WORKS

The Satsuma Rebellion: Illustrated Japanese History - The Last Stand of the Samurai 9781623171674

"Sean Michael Wilson has authored a unique line of manga-style books on Japanese themes. This latest edition, The Satsuma Rebellion, with artist Akiko Shimojima, portrays the real last stand of the samurai and the central figure--Saigo Takamori, the subject of NHK television's year-long historical drama in 2018--with style and accuracy."--Davide Calzetti, Japanese historical researcher

Bushido (Graphic Novel): The Soul of the Samurai 9781611802108

"Absolutely the best explanation of bushido in the English language.: --Nicklaus Suino, author of The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship

Tao Te Ching: A Graphic Novel Paperback 9781611803280

"Engaging, well researched, and very relatable. ... Altogether, the creative team has made this essential text even more compelling not only for those interested in theology but also philosophy."--Graphic Policy

Edition details

• Publisher: Stone Bridge Press
• Publication date: 2021
• ISBN 10: 1611720567
• ISBN 13: 9781611720563
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 112
• Illustrator: Shimojima Akiko