The Ink-Keeper's Apprentice

by Allen Say

Thirteen-year-old Kiyoi, an apprentice to the famous cartoonist, Noro Shinpei, tries to develop his talent and become self-reliant, in this novel based upon the author's own boyhood in Japan.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Art, Japan, Childrens, Biography, Middle Grade

149 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Allen Say is one of the most beloved artists working today. He is the recipient of the Caldecott Medal for GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, and also won a Caldecott Honor and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for THE BOY OF THE THREE-YEAR NAP (written by Dianne Snyder). Many of Allen’s stories are derived from his own experiences as a child. His other books include THE BICYCLE MAN, TEA WITH MILK, and TREE OF CRANES, hailed by The Horn Book in a starred review as “the achievement of a master in his prime.” Allen’s recent book, ERIKA-SAN, received a starred review in Publishers Weekly. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved all of Allen Say's picture books. He is an exceptional artist and a wonderful story teller. His main themes are the coming together of Japanese and American cultures in some way, whether through telling his own story, or that of his parents, his daughter, or his grandparents, or even other people. The Ink-keeper's Apprentice is one of the few non-picture books I know of written by Say. In this book, he tells of his experience learning to draw well under the tutelage of a master, the famous cartoonist, Noro Shinpei. This book is a more in-depth version of his later autobiographical work (part graphic novel), Drawing from Memory.

His experience is unique. A child of parents who divorced shortly after the end of WWII, he lived alone in a studio-type apartment while attending middle school. I have a hard time imagining a young teenager roaming the streets of Tokyo, living alone, going to school, and seeking out his own personal tutor to train him in the arts. And yet this is the life young Say lived. His experiences weren't without danger. At this young age, he was exposed to some intense and scary experiences, including riots, transvestites, prostitutes, and other things that were a lot to take in. We see the world of POST-WWII Tokyo through the eyes of a young teenager, and it is provoking. The novel ends with Say joining with his father to emigrate to America, closing one chapter in his life and starting another. In a symbolic act, Say burns all his sketchbooks, as he prepares to start life anew. When I first read of this in his other book, Drawing From Memory, I didn't understand why. But this book gave new understanding. "In an hour's time all my drawings turned to ashes. I felt cleansed. I was ready to start a new life in a strange country." Beautiful. Just beautiful.

[Vincent Eisman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to better understand Allen Say's books. His beautifully illustrated children's books often feature protagonists who are outsiders living in cultural contexts in which they do not feel they belong. The sense of isolation in his books is often unresolved (longing for fatherland when in a new country and vice versa) or resolved through costly compromise (lingering unanswerable questions or apotheosis through foreignness). As I suspected, this somewhat introspective autobiographical work sheds light on much of Say's picture books.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few non-illustrated works by Allen Say, The Ink-Keep's Apprentice is based upon Say's boyhood memories of his time as an apprentice to the cartoonist Noro Shinpei. While not a full-fledged autobiography, I'd like to believe that most of the events in this book is close to the truth. Kiyoi struggles in academics but is determined to make his life about art. In which, while most of the story focuses on his shadowing of Shinpei, there are many other events that occurs within the same time. Kiyoi's attempts at friendship, learning karate, blossoming love, and his relationship with each individual member of his family is portrayed in an honest way. Things change when Kiyoi's father offers him a chance to go to America, where he remains divided about what to do of his future. Those who have read Drawing From Memory & The Inker's Shadow, may appreciate this one as it is supplementary material to Say's story to give a full view of his young adulthood.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting autobiography of one of my favorite children's books artist/author and look into Japan shortly after WWII into the early 50s. Spoilers follow - I would give it a warning for some mature content, and advise for ages 13+ as a friend has a suicide attempt, the artists draw (with excitement) nude models and talk about pubic hair, and as Allen/Kiyoi gets older his karate teacher takes him to a cabaret to his great discomfort, and then he accidently goes to a town's red light district (nothing explicit happens). The dynamics between his Korean father and Japanese mother and grandmother, and the girl who invites him to her family's house every month are an interesting look at facets of Japanese culture.

[cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the reality potrait in this story, but it felt like the mc was too grown up and too composed to be a teenager. Beside some doubtful mind, he did not show any bit of young character.

Also, his way was waaaay too smooth, like he want a drawing teacher, and bang, he found himself a verrrry nice and kind teacher. Just like that. Or he met a girl and sudenly his grade marks at school came from almost bottom to top of the class.... yeah right, how competitive the students of japs private school you'd think of?

Nope, it felt like an imaginary autobiography of someone success, who would pretend saying nice things about his past. Not enough conflicts to be a coming of age novel.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the slow pace of this little book. Something about it piqued my interest in a little free library. I didn’t know anything about the author. I thought the narrative style very authentic for someone reminiscing about their youth, and looking back a little bit like an outside observer to their own experience and culture. I enjoyed learning about Japan though this story.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thinly fictionalized autobiographical story of the author's youth in Japan working and learning as a cartoonist. This was completely text, the only one of the author's books like it. And it is clearly autobiographical because 30 years ago he wrote the same book in a different form. This was quite well written and interesting, I would have preferred it to be fully autobiographical.

[Sara Snarr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on Say's own experiences, we see a moving and intimate look at post-WWII life in Tokyo and the surrounding areas. Say is an excellent writer immersing the reader in Japanese culture, tradition, and family life in a startlingly unique time and place.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this for some younger readers but after reading it myself decided there were some things I didn't want to introduce to them yet.
With that said, I enjoyed it as an adult.

[Kimberly McMorris · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read of Allen Say.

If you’ve read Allen Say’s books you’ll enjoy learning more of his early life. It is inspiring and gentle like his stories.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Aki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sei will nichts anderes als zeichnen, zeichnen, zeichnen. Sein größter Traum ist es Mangazeichner zu werden. In der Zeitung liest er von dem berühmten Mangazeichner Noro Shinpei und seinem Schüler Tokida. Für Sei ist schnell klar, dass möchte er auch, deshalb macht er sich auf die Reise nach Tokio, um Noro Shinpei einen Besuch abzustatten.

Zu seiner eigenen Überraschung und Freude nimmt der Mangameister den 13-jährigen Schüler tatsächlich in seinen Reihen auf, wobei Sei nicht nur einen Lehrmeister, sondern auch in dem drei Jahre älteren Takida einen echten Freund findet.

Der Schreibstil des Buches war flüssig und einfach zu lesen, was nicht unter an der Altersangabe für 12 - 14 Jahren liegt. Die Idee ist süß und ich muss sagen, dass es bei mir in erster Linie ein direkter Cover - und Klappentext war, allein schon, weil er etwas beeinhaltet, was in Japan und inzwischen auch hier großen Einzug erhalten hat: Den Manga.

Über den Zeitraum, in dem das Buch spielt, habe ich lange nachgedacht, da gab es für mich einige Ungereimtheiten und gerade das Verhalten Takidas hat mich manches Mal... ja, ich muss sagen, es hat mich manches mal für einen 16jährigen wirklich schockiert.

Aber auch die Tatsache, dass der 13jährige Hauptprotagonist mit seinen 13 Jahren bereits alleine wohnt, Kaffee und Whisky sowie Sake trank, war ein wenig befremdlich.

Das Buch ist als autobiographischer Roman geschrieben und aufgrund dieser kleineren Schwächen, bekommt das Buch von mir 3/5 Herbstblätter.

[Mariam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first ever reading and exploration of the more present-day Japanese culture after the Hiroshima bomb and it was wonderful. I have never really been as fascinated with Japanese culture as many others but this book may have just opened a whole new can of worms.

The story is light and does not really have a particular problem - it is a re-telling of the author's life as a teenager. But the story makes you feel as though you are in the setting, in the character's world. The main plot follows Mr. Say (in his then, Japanese name, Kiyoi) as he struggles to fit into a world of old traditions mixed with brand new expectations and finding a place that he belongs.

And the main message of the story comes from Kiyoi's wise cartoon master: no matter how hard it is,, you have to learn to let go.

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Allen Say's beautiful picture books for a long time; stumbling across this autobiography was a special treat for me. I loved reading about his beginnings as an artist and admired his courage and perseverance in following his dream. It was surprising to read that he was living on his own from a very early age onwards. (While I at first thought this would be a great book for upper elementary students, due to some issues addressed, I would recommend it rather to middle schoolers.)

[Trevin2010 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very moving for me, as I am an illustrator that is just starting out and finding my way around. I also lived in Japan for a year, so it's really great to get the perspective from post-war Japan. I feel that even if you are not an artist or have ever been to Japan you will still be able to relate to this book. Say spins a great mix of true life events with flavorful storytelling. It is a fantastic coming of age/ adolescent story. Give it a go!

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in a day--it's interesting, the writing is good, I liked the protagonist but I never felt strongly connected. I guess my own personal views got in the way of accepting his choices. I went into this book really wanting to know more about Japan right after WWII but the book didn't give me enough.

[Doug Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but what makes it special are personal memories. Dillon and I, and occasionally Neeley, had sushi with Allen and his wife for a number of years (Tuesday nights at Kappaya). Over that time we swapped lots of stories, including hearing parts of this one and he brought Dillon signed versions of his award winning books. I have such fond memories of the time and of him.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is interesting to read, because as Allen Say himself said, "Most of it is true." It covers only a short time period in his life, but I do wonder what is true and what is not. It sounds like a rather interesting life. I found the chapter about WWII the most interesting.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

its sad when kiylo leaves japan

[Yayoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love his books.His illustrious are so beautiful. I know that he was born and raised in Japan, and I was interested in Allen Say's life in Japan.
I was impressed some words in this book. Allen Say's Sensei ( it means "teacher" in Japanese) is great person. He learned a lot of things from Sensei.
I want to read about his days in America.

[Sandra]

Allen Say's story of how he became an illustrator is fascinating and informative of war time Japan. His unusual upbringing and commitment to his dreams is a honor to his sensei.