Danica Davidson
October 16, 2024 
Yoshiharu Tsuge’s avant garde short manga story “Nejishiki” has been very influential in Japan, and it’s great that it’s finally been translated into English in book form. The book Nejishiki, published by Drawn & Quarterly, is an anthology of some of Tsuge’s short works. It opens with the titular “Nejishiki,” then moves on to “Master of the Gensenkan Inn,” “The Mokkiriya Tavern Girl,” “The Crab,” “Master of the Willow Inn,” “A Dream Stroll,” and “A Summer Memory.”
In “Nejishiki,” the most famous story, a man is stung by a jellyfish while a blood-red sky and a shadowy, warlike plane fill the background. He goes in search of help, but everything has the surreal feel of a dream.
This surreal feeling continues in the stories. They’re not plot heavy, but they are powerful. Tsuge’s artwork is amazing, and he can draw in great detail. He can also use shadows and dark to create incredibly creepy moods, so that this collection can feel more like a truly authentic horror manga more than most manga that are labeled as horror. There is some lurid sexuality in some of the stories, including sexual assault. Characters might act amorally or immorally. Reading it gives the impression that a tormented artist is working out his demons on the pages. But these stories are hard to describe, and really need to be read and experienced for themselves. It’s interesting that Drawn & Quarterly is releasing this around the same time as My Picture Diary, the manga created by Tsuge’s wife, Fujiwara Maki.
The manga anthology part is 180 pages, and the rest is a very lengthy essay by Ryan Holmberg about Tsuge and his work. This includes biographical details, quotes from Tsuge, interpretations and theories on his works, pop culture responses to “Nejishiki,” and more. This can bring quite a bit more perspective for people who want to learn more about him, his life and his creations. My Picture Diary really shows Tsuge’s flaws as a person, and Nejishiki really shows his unique talents as a creator.
Story & Art: Yoshiharu Tsuge
Publisher: Drawn & Quarterly
Translator: Ryan Holmberg
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
