Yakuza Moon - L'histoire vraie d'une fille de gangster japonais (Manga)

by Sean Michael Wilson, Michiru Morikawa, Shōko Tendō

Ce récit à la fois déchirant et instructif des mémoires d’une femme au cœur du crime organisé Japonais est choquant et incroyablement émouvant, d’autant qu’il est raconté à la première personne. Shoko Tendo baigne dans le luxe dès sa naissance au sein d’une riche famille de Yakuzas. Elle devient cependant la victime de harcèlement scolaire de la part des élèves et des enseignants dès lors qu’on lui colle l’étiquette de « fille de Yakuza ». A cela s’ajoutent les rages alcoolisées nocturnes de son père. Alors que sa famille croule sous les dettes au fur et à mesure que l’influence de son père s’étiole, Tendo fréquente la mauvaise bande et d’autres hommes apparaissent dans sa vie. A quinze ans à peine, elle est déjà membre d’un gang, à dix-huit elle est dépendante de la drogue et elle passe la décennie suivante à subir des relations avec des hommes plus violents les uns que les autres. Sa situation ne fait qu’empirer encore et encore, victime malgré elle alors qu’elle tente de se faire une place en tant que femme dans un monde violent, sexiste et corrompu par la drogue. Ce n’est qu’après la mort de ses parents et une tentative de suicide ratée qu’elle réévalue son style de vie au travers d’une introspection difficile et salvatrice. Et c’est grâce à une décision quasi anecdotique qu’elle reprend les rênes de sa vie et sort enfin la tête de l’eau. Shoko Tendo a vu ses mémoires recevoir un accueil très chaleureux du public et être traduites en quatorze langues. Elle a participé à de nombreux documentaires sur sa propre vie, sur le tatouage et sur la pègre japonaise en général. On peut citer Marked : Death of the Yakuza (History Channel) et La voie de l’encre (Lardux Films).

Sean Michael Wilson a réalisé de nombreuses bandes dessinées et mangas dont Hagakure : le code du samouraï, Les 47 Ronins, Le Livre des Cinq Roues, Le sermon du tengu sur les arts martiaux et Musashi (tous publiés par Budo Éditions). Il a également adapté de nombreuses œuvres ”classiques“ en format manga (Charles Dickens, Emily Brontë, Oscar Wilde…). Il a collaboré avec de multiples dessinateurs tant orientaux qu’occidentaux (Mike Collins, Yishan Li, Kutsuwada, Shimojima…).
Michiru Morikawa est une dessinatrice de mangas. Elle a gagné le prix International Manga and Anime Award en Grande-Bretagne après avoir reçu celui de la Meilleure Artiste Manga des éditions japonaises Kodansha. Morikawa s’est occupé du dessin de versions mangas des classiques de samouraïs : Musashi et Le sermon du tengu sur les arts martiaux (Budo Éditions). En tant qu’illustratrice, elle a travaillé au Japon pour le monde du théâtre et de la musique, et en Grande-Bretagne pour la ville de Birmingham.

Genres: Manga, Nonfiction, Japan, Graphic Novels, Biography, Memoir, Comics

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2011

About the author

Sean Michael Wilson is a comic book writer from Scotland. He has had around 30 books published with a variety of US, UK and Japanese publishers, including: a comic book version of A Christmas Carol ('Best of 2008’, Sunday Times), AX:alternative manga ( 'Best ten books of 2010’, Publishers Weekly), Parecomic (with an introduction by Noam Chomsky, his first contribution to a book in graphic form). He is currently writing books for big Japanese publisher Kodansha, being the only British writer to do so. In fact, he is the only pro manga writer from Britain who lives in Japan. He is also the editor of the critically acclaimed collection 'AX:alternative manga' (Publishers Weekly's 'Best ten books of 2010' and nominated for a Harvey award).

Working with various Japanese artists he has written a unique line of Japanese history/martial arts/Samurai books, including The Book of Five Rings, Secrets of the Ninja, The 47 Ronin, and Cold Mountain (winner of China Comic and Animation Competition 2015 ‘Best Overseas Comic’ award). In 2016 his book 'The Faceless Ghost' was nominated for an Eisner Award. In 2017 he became the first British person to receive an International Manga Award from the Japanese Government. In 2019 his book 'The Many Not the Few' was launched by the Labour Party leader in an event in the Houses of Parliament. In 2020 he received the Scottish Samurai Award from an association promoting connections between Japan and Scotland.

He does comic books outside the normal superhero/fantasy brands, going into areas such as history, biography, drama, and social issues, often in collaboration with universities, charities and book publishers. He often gives lectures and talks about comics in schools and colleges, and writes articles for such places as The Japan Times, The London Economic and The Herald Scotland.

Reviews

[Doc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark tale of life in a world where honor and corruption collides.

As a story about Shoko Tendo, the daughter of a Yukuza boss, this story is full of mature content making it inappropriate for younger readers, Some of the things you will find inside this volume include drug use, attempted rape (of a minor no less), blackmail, strong language, various deaths, a variety of partial nude scenes, actual rape (though it does not show hentai level details), and a large amount of abuses over her years as she grew up in a society where women often were second class citizens. So just to warn you this book is pretty dark most of the way through though there are moments of breaks in the darkness within Shoko's life.

Gotta tell you, this is a pretty dark book and although she experienced all of these horrible events in her life Shoko chooses to not surrender and become a victim (and I am sure in the original story it was probably even worse.) Even making some bad decision along the way and being the victim temporarily at certain times of her life it is kind of of inspiring to see her reach out of the dark abyss that could have been her life and instead not only reach out to the light of hope but inspire others close to her to improve themselves too.

[Lavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously, the story is the same as the original autobiography by Shoko Tendo, but I did not feel that the art was strong enough to capture the raw nature of her life and also, it read as an abridged version of the original book. I love manga and I adore Japanese art but this was felt lacking. Still, worth reading for novices and for people who are curious about book to manga adaptation.

[Dana Berglund]

I appreciate what was attempted, but I found it too graphic in its depiction of abuse and her sexual journey, which also included repeated violence. I think I would rather have read her print memoir than read the visual version, with the script written by a British man.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating graphic memoir of a woman who has lived her whole life under the shadow of organized crime. I cannot compare it to the actual memoir, as I didn't even know about it until I stumbled upon this graphic novel. Still, it does pack a punch. Shoko's life is frightening and brutal and yet she finds ways to keep herself afloat. I have always wondered what life must be like for the women who are, by extension, part of the Yakuza families. Unsurprisingly, it's not too good. Overall, this is a good effort, with nice artwork, but more cultural information would have benefited it dramatically. It's hard to understand why Shoko makes some of the decisions she does, but one would imagine that there is likely something lost in translation, especially for the uninitiated.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

shoko tendo is such a strong and beautiful woman! wow

[StrictlySequential · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am sure that this would have gotten ***** if Shaggy Grinsalot had more pages because I give the creator the benefit of the doubt in terms of those decisions.

If I'm wrong then he didn't tell enough of the story since he had a full book to work from because there were many things, mostly comparative chronology and cause/effect, that Tendo could not have left so vague or chosen not to address.

I was happy that he only included the stunningly beautiful artwork on her back because I gathered that she seems to get more press about her tattoos than herself.

Laughs? (whether at or with me I care not)
-You are hearing this from a guy with an Mariana-trench deep list of mistakes, endless foolishness and a huge exhibitionist ego who has never considered a tattoo. Even though I have no respect for the future I cringe at the thought of an old tattoo on wrinkly white skin. The thing about the "... when you're old" argument is that the ink-laden tend to die earlier than others in proportion to the amount of art they canvass! Personally I'm a scar enthusiast (on self and others) and enjoy reminiscing upon or inquiring about their arrival. I'm still upset about my hand surgeon giving me such a boring signature! But if I were to get a tattoo, it would be a Yakuza tableau since the back is by far the best canvass and they cover the whole area so that nothing looks bad by contrast. I don't want anything taking your attention away from my seductive gaze so whatever I had back there with eyes would seduce you in my blind spots!

I am a big fan of Rika's art which was ideal for "The Faceless Ghost" and made this story distinctly feminine and Japanese in the eyes of this American male. How she left Tendo's back blank once at the end of the book baffles me but it gave me a nice smile.

[Roxana Chirilă · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like the title says, this is a true story about a yakuza's daughter, starting from adolescence - and up until she changes her life around and becomes a writer.

I don't think anyone's surprised that growing up in a bad environment can have unfortunate consequences, and Shoko grows up as a child of the underworld, with a father who brings home both shady associates and hostesses from night bars, gets drunk and breaks things around the house.

She's nearly raped by one of her father's associates, starts going to night clubs at 12 years-old, and finds little understanding at school, where she's at first bullied by her peers, then once she changes her hair color and starts looking tough, gets pressured to dye her hair back to black.

She goes through a string of abusive and/or married boyfriends, gets blackmailed and pressured into many things she doesn't want. It's just one thing after the next.

But this also means it all blends together - including the men, about whom we know very little. What is the world of the yakuza actually like? What do these people do? Where was Shoko's brother in all of this? (At one point, I was starting to wonder whether I'd misremembered him existing at all.)

On the other hand, this is a harrowing story and you can feel that this is very hard to tell. But Shoko is determined and, despite the abuse, you can feel her strength. And the tattoo she gets when she's starting to pull herself together is both beautiful - and a sign of that strength.

[Reading Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

119 🎎
When I looked at that beautifully crafted tattoo, I was filled with a sense of total contentment I had never experienced before. I felt as though I had been set free.
✏️
Reading Kitty 🌟3/5
Goodreads 🌟3.74/5
✏️
Two things that made me picked up this book — the word ‘yakuza’ and the photo of Shōko’s beautifully tattooed back! 🌸
I started reading this thinking ‘yakuza’ as Japanese mafia, and still none the wiser when closing the book. The plot reads more like a personal memoir of a troubled young girl growing up with sexual and drug abuse and into cycles of poor decisions and abusive relationships. The accounts are brutally honest but too rushed at times, suddenly we are at the climax where Shōko decides to get herself a back tattoo as act of empowerment.

The tattoo did not disappoint ❣️
It is a tattoo of Jigoku Dayu (Courtesan of Hell) depicted with a dagger gripped in her teeth and serpents crawling along her arms and legs; with kanji characters and carps inked as fillers. The design is really, really intricate and exquisite, especially on her pencil-thin frame❣️
Shōko felt strongly connected to Jigoku Dayu’s tragic life, a daughter of samurai sold to a brothel and ended up as a concubine of a Zen monk. The tattoo turned Shōko’s life around — a spiritual reincarnation as she described it,
“When I decide to do something, I really mean it.” 💪

Reading Kitty 😽📚
https://www.facebook.com/readingkitty/

[Yin Chien · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storytelling wasn't exactly fluid, but a commendable effort nevertheless.

This book is an illustration of your environment makes you the person you are - being born in a yakuza family and surrounded by "people from the dark side", Shoko could not choose her family nor her upbringing, but she often makes questionable choices about her life, and I don't think she can attribute it 100% to her background - she conciously made those choices and therefore has to suffer the consequences. It is a vicious downward spiral, what she did, and often times I felt that she was about to fall off the edge.

I don't know what to feel about this story honestly, but it did provide me a glimpse into a type of life which was very foreign to me. I guess everyone has their own destiny.

This book contains elements of violence, sexual abuse and drugs, only for 18+.

[Lisa - The BookSirens Goddess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yakuza Moon is interesting because it presents a personal account of growing up in a family of a yakuza insider. However, I should inform you that there is very little about the yakuza here. The book focuses on Shoko’s own life and the ups and downs that she faces. Some are possibly a result of her surroundings and upbringing, and others are purely her choice. Something new for me was learning about the Yanki, the smaller gangs mainly comprising younger folks. The memoir is a cultural insight not only into Japanese people but specifically individuals who are somehow connected and affected by the yakuza. I wish it was more detailed and gave me more insight into the author, if not the yakuza.

[Brent Millis · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book gives an interesting insight into the lives of those who are born on 'the other side of the tracks' and tells a compelling story, it suffers from a lackluster narrative. (Which is not the fault of the localizer.) Description is minimal and sophomoric even at the best of times. Those with no experience living in Japan or with Japanese culture (especially Bubble Era culture of the 80s) will be lost. SPEED TRIBES is a much better book on the same subject. Though I praise Ms Tendoh for her efforts and certainly wish her well in life as it seems she got the short end of the stick, I can only recommend this book to expats who have lived in Japan for an extended period of time.

[Ravi Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very moving account of one girls trials and tribulations as the daughter of a Yakuza boss. Very honest about the sexual and drug abuse and her fight to overcome it and forge a life for herself. I read the Manga version and it added to the sense of the story rather than trivialise it. I would say read the Manga version rather than a simple and straightforward text. A very brave young lady telling a very relevant story which is more than angst and all about surviving the modern world with all its horrors.

[Catalina]

Finally a few words about "Yakuza Moon", which was a pretty ok graphic novel. Not the best, not the worst, just enough to keep you reading. The art style and the general design are very American; the characters do not even look Japanese. There are a few strong moments packed with emotions, but I don't feel like this format or its length can do justice to such a powerful story. I also can't bring myself to rate this as it's a memoir and it's not the original shape of the story.

[Radarici · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Her account about her childhood as a normal girl, her problematic teenage years and her personal story as a young urban woman living cycles of abusive relationships are touching and heartbreaking. This kind of book makes us aware of the urgent need of an outspoken debate about violence against women in contemporary society.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the original autobiography by Shoko Tendo years ago so I already knew her story. Her story is not easy to read because she was honest and up front about the harshness of her life and despite the simple manga style of the this comic adaptation, her pain and cycle of abusive relationships and drug abuse keep their impact.

[Meigo Fitzpatrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A straight forward memoir of growing up being a daughter of a Yakuza Boss. Her life started out in wealth but later her family was bombarded by debt collectors. She undergoes physical abuse, drug use, rape and just trying to stay a float while helping her family pay off their debts. There was an underlying strong family bond that has everyone depending on her. Great fast read.

[Ewout · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt the chapters were rushed, too fast-paced. More the story of a troubled daughter than a gangster daughter I have to say, don't be fooled and think there's going to be a lot of Yakuza action, but more some men mistreating here also being gangsters.

[Eyeda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read. It was short but emotional at times. I enjoyed it for what it was, memoirs of a woman who finally finds ways to define herself. My expectations were off because I expected more about the yakuza. But when I realized that it wasn’t going that way, I was able to appreciate the book more.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touched by this story and awed by Shoko’s resilience. Triggering honestly and hard to read but I cherished the vulnerability she revealed in every panel. The pain and abuse she endured is truly devastating. The graphic novel format is raw and revealing - probably why I felt more triggered than usual by some of the topics she writes about. Regardless I couldn’t put it down. I am so moved by her strength. I hope everyone reads her memoir.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

First non-fiction book that I’ve read in a while - I usually listen to them. I almost missed my train sitting on the platform, completely engrossed in this book. My heart broke, my lungs stopped working & I felt privileged to have this story shared with me.

[Jhenna Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very very dark, but it was groundbreaking for Japan's underworld, especially in a time where women was seen as second-class citizens in the yakuza. I enjoyed learning about the harsh world of the yakuza, though it was difficult to read.

[Darren Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book of a delinquent in Japan. We all make questionable choices.

[Gabz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good, actually. It's a well paced book that makes you want to go out there and read the whole story as written by Shoko. the artwork is lovely, too!

[Liana Wibowo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in 2013, the book shows lots of history and stories which will inspire anyone who read it

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel weird even giving this a rating. So much happened constantly, I never really found my footing.

[Theo Darmawan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still memorable more than a decade on.

[JESSICA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really incredible story!

[Ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cried

[Bas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting but depressing read.

[Monica scrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so well written. Actually, it only has a good title that sparks curiosity.