Ōoku: The Inner Chambers, Vol. 17

大奥 [Ōoku] #17

by Fumi Yoshinaga

In Eisner-nominated Fumi Yoshinaga’s alternative history of Edo-era Japan, the men of Japan are dying out, and the women have taken up the reigns of power—including the shogun’s seat!

In Edo period Japan, a strange new disease called the Redface Pox has begun to prey on the country's men. Within eighty years of the first outbreak, the male population has fallen by seventy-five percent. Women have taken on all the roles traditionally granted to men, even that of the shogun. The men, precious providers of life, are carefully protected. And the most beautiful of the men are sent to serve in the shogun's Inner Chamber...

Prince Kazu is not the consort shogun Iemochi was expecting, but the young ruler is determined to make their relationship a good one. And despite her initial distaste for Edo and everything about it, Prince Kazu find herself warming to her spouse. But the world beyond the safety of the Inner Chambers is a cruel one, and the secret of their fragile marriage is under constant threat from of discovery.

Genres: Manga, Historical Fiction, Comics, Historical, Graphic Novels, Japan, Josei

218 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2019

About the author

Japanese: よしなが ふみ

Fumi Yoshinaga (よしなが ふみ Yoshinaga Fumi, born 1971) is a Japanese manga artist known for her shōjo and shōnen-ai works.

Fumi Yoshinaga was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1971. She attended the prestigious Keio University in Tokyo.

In an interview, she said that "I want to show the people who didn't win, whose dreams didn't come true. It is not possible for everybody to get first prize. I want my readers to understand the happiness that people can get from trying hard, going through the process, and getting frustrated."

Little is known about her personal life. She mentions that her favourite operas are those by Mozart in the author's note of Solfege.

She debuted in 1994 with The Moon and the Sandals, serialized in Hanaoto magazine, but was previously a participant in comic markets.

Of Yoshinaga's many works, several have been licensed internationally. She was also selected and exhibited as one of the "Twenty Major Manga artist Who Contributed to the World of Shōjo Manga (World War II to Present)" for Professor Masami Toku's exhibition, "Shōjo Manga: Girl Power!" at CSU-Chico.

Outside of her work with Japanese publishers, she also self-publishes original doujinshi on a regular basis, most notably for Antique Bakery. Yoshinaga has also drawn fan parodies of Slam Dunk, Rose of Versailles, and Legend of Galactic Heroes.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Ooku, volume 17, mangaka Yoshinaga softens her approach in focusing on relationships in the Inner Chamber, though there is a lot of (alternative) history to get through here as we begin to approach the end. The young Shogun Iemochi runs back and forth between her Tokogawa Shogunate, leaving her (secretly female) “Prince” Kazu behind, seeing that there are political forces in Kyoto determined to topple her from power, forces that are opposed to the “barbarians” from the West--England, and the US--who want to engage with Japan in trade.

Iemochi is also the Supreme Commander of the Military, she has to try to appease the (weak) Emperor, which is a lot for a 20-year-old woman harboring a secret in marriage that could topple her reign. But she is so smart and engagingly positive and politically savvy, she’s the series favorite.

Attractions: Cats! Lady Sato (the court cat) adds the cute factor. As cats will, she has her favorites. . . And an impressive array of costumes Iemochi gets to wear! As with Kaoru Mori in A Bride’s Story, Yoshinaga loves to draw period fashion, though as with Brides, it is richly researched on every front. It’s period everything, a veritable museum of artifacts and settings

Iemochi has one strategy to try to preserve power: To adopt a baby, but Prince Kazu decides to have her own baby. Let’s see, we have dozens of fine young men in the Inner Chamber. Who shall she choose to make a baby with her?

Yeah, there’s a lot of history in this volume, but it’s better balanced than volume sixteen in inviting us to have a close look at inner chamber political (and as it often occurs, sexual) maneuvers.

[Nicolas Lontel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tout ce qui fait de cette série un délice à lire jusqu'à présent semble se retrouver dans ce volume 17: des intrigues politiques complexes, dont on comprend la perspective de tous les partis et dont la résolution est tout aussi complexe voir impossible, une attention au vêtement et aux symboles que ça renvoi, des questions sur les rôles de genre, les attentes, les discriminations, des drames personnels qui affectent les personnages, un "vilain" qui prend conscience progressivement de ses actions et qui sans s'en excuser, en prend acte et agit en connaissance, deux, trois excellents retournements de situation, des mises en danger complexes des personnages, toujours sans extrême cruauté, des personnes dont les intrigues politiques les dépassent complètement, des personnes mis en rapport les uns avec les autres de manière subtile (ici, grâce à un chat), des bons et tendres moments, des réflexions pertinentes sur la maternité et l'adoption (un peu nouveau comme thématique, mais en continuité avec les précédents), etc.

Un volume qu'il fait plaisir à lire, surtout pour un antépénultième volume, le souffle créatif et narratif n'arrête pas et nous propose encore des situations et intrigues intéressantes et nous laisse juste assez sur notre faim pour poursuivre encore la lecture.

[marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vol. 12 ★★★★★
Vol. 13 ★★★★★
Vol. 14 ★★★★☆
Vol. 15 ★★★★☆
Vol. 16 ★★★☆☆

Iemochi and Chikako are sweet together. Even though they're not in a romantic relationship, they care about each other a lot and are determined to build a life together. If that's not love, what is? I saw that ending coming from a mile away. Also, Chikako and Tensho-in's interactions are so funny.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

It has been so fascinating to see how mangaka Yoshinaga has woven Japanese history into this alternate retelling of the shogunate. Now, at Volume 17, we are nearing the end as the Meiji restoration approaches. Topical issues of the era, such as beriberi disease resulting from the overprocessing (and removal of thiamine) from rice as well as shifting views on the Americans/foreigners, give a fresh perspective on turn of the century Japan.

Story: Iemochi is a good ruler and seeks to do what is right for Japan - be it visiting Kyoto and increasing the ties to the imperial household or managing her own succession. It doesn't help that she was tricked into marrying a woman disguised as a prince and that her own health is at risk. But most important is that she is unable to produce an heir - and the person she thought would be perfect to succeed her has turned out to be divisive and unable to lead men. All she can do is adopt a small child with an impressive lineage and hope to co-parent well and develop someone who can lead Japan's shogunate when she dies.

There is a lot here this volume - mostly focusing on the inner chambers politics rather than the country's politics. Of course, in the background are the shifting alliances that will create the power base that will topple the shogunate. But for now, Iemochi is most concerned with the happiness of those around her. Her consort, Lady Chikako, is still bearing the brunt of a mother who can only love her son and not her daughter. Iomochi's father looks with sadness on the new cat who has spurned his love. And Iomochi's concubines wonder who will be called upon to help father the next heir.

The writing and illustration work has remained superb throughout this wonderful retelling of Japanese history. So much culture and nuances from the different periods are skillfully interwoven into a very humanistic story. These are people that are both strong and weak, each operating within their own skillset.

Although this is an alternate universe Japan, most of the history, including the names, remain intact. I have greatly enjoyed learning more about Japan through this series and great appreciate the intelligent and creative talents that have created such a superb manga. I will be sad to see it end. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Pasuuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and heartbreaking all at the same time. We see the end approaching for the shogunate, and we see that this "alternate history" is not going to yield a change in history for Japan. Reading this, as one must, through a modern-day lens leads me to wonder how much better an outcome could have been achieved if some elementary psychological counseling were available. The same can be said for a balanced diet. It is a bit telling and sad that the character who seems the healthiest in mind and body is the cat, who eats what it wants, gets the attention it craves, and can walk away when it is satiated. Would that the Shogun, her consort, or the Emperor could do any of those things.

I will await the next few volumes with great interest, and trepidation, as the modern world alters the Ooku irretrievably.

[MasterSal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief review follows:

This volume was gentler and quite fun in part despite an overarching sadness which comes with watching the Shogunate in decline. The plot isn’t as dramatic or life and death as the previous volumes but politics are definitely front and center here.

The volume wasn’t a comedy but there was a quiet joy and a realization that the change is coming. There is hope that change will be good - which was lovely.

I have more thoughts - especially in how lovely the depiction of the central female leads are. Must remember to come back and finish this off.

[ashes ➷]

Oh this shit is wild! Reading this and then rewatching History of Japan on YouTube was such an experience. I completely binged this volume for evidences of lesbianism (...found none) and as such was falling asleep a bit at some of the more geopolitical-conflict-related parts, despite them being well-written. Sometimes I see a page with a lot of text (albeit dialogue) and it strikes fear into my heart. Onward!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shogun Iemochi meets the Emperor and gains his trust in an unexpected way.

As usual, it's the slice of life stuff that catches my interest with the politics running behind. Iemochi and Prince Kazu's time together is charming as well as poor Tensho-in who just cannot get his cat to like him. The ending was quite the cliffhanger and I'm sorry there are only two volumes left of this wonderful story.

[Miss Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

ngl, i'm getting kinda worried about iemochi...big cinnamon roll too pure for this world vibes here...

(chikako alternatively has done a great job changing my mind on her lolol, the brat to baby trapping for good arc has been amazing to watch)

4 stars

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's an explicit content warning on this. Because.... women are talking about having babies? Is that seriously it?

[Loz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still really enjoy this series. Also really appreciating a more earnest and less vicious arc. Can't wait for the next one!

[Eressea · Rating 5 out of 5]

篇末的多元成家計劃真勁爆XD
作者把末代將軍畫得真窩囊，不知道會怎樣畫明治天皇?

[Becky]

多元成家太好看

[Claudia]

Lesbian baby trapping……. Thanks yoshinaga

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

More intrigue!

[S.M.M. Lindström · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to comment on this 17 volumes into the series, but I can say I'm glad I've kept up with this series. Lots of interesting political intrigue and alternate history!