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Edo-Era Momo to Manji Boys-Love Manga Inspires Ukiyo-e Art
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
The Edo-era boys-love manga Momo to Manji by Sawa Sakura is inspiring some period-appropriate traditional art. Living national treasure Iwano Ichibee (ninth generation) created the washi (Japanese paper) for 200 limited edition ukiyo-e prints based on the series.
The Collab Japan site opened pre-orders on August 26 and the prints are expected to ship in January 2020. Each print costs 42,000 yen (US$396). Customers who place orders before September 10 will be entered into a lottery to receive one of 10 prints that includes Sakura's signature.
Momo to Manji is serialized in Shodensha's on BLUE magazine. The boys-love story follows the effeminate former fireman Manji and the innocent kagema (a historical term for male sex workers) Momo. The series was voted the #1 boys-love series in the Kono BL ga Yabai! 2018 list and it was awarded the Excellence Prize from the Japanese government's Ministry of Cultural Affairs in March. Sakura participated in a discussion on boys-love and LGBT awareness in May.
The manga's third volume went on sale on August 24 and Animate stores are selling a special edition that includes a drama CD while Toranoani's version includes a small pouch and booklet.
Source: Comic Natalie
