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A review by mrsthrift
Ōoku: The Inner Chambers, Volume 1 by Fumi Yoshinaga
4.0
I can't remember why I picked this up - it was either on a banned book list or a graphic novel list for teens. If I were Ehrrin, I would know where I found it. Dammit.
This manga takes place in some alternative version of feudal Japan, where something like 80% of the male population has mysteriously died off from a plague, and all positions of authority right up to the top are held by women. Scarcity creates value, of course, and the role of men in society shifts dramatically & quickly. Male heirs can be married off, bringing great wealth to their family. Men can earn money by impregnating women who long for a baby but can't afford a husband. All of the work in the country is done by women, as men are too precious and scarce. The country manages to maintain a sense of normality in international dealings & history records by giving male names to business women as they take over the family businesses. The shogun keeps a harem, an inner court, which is entirely staffed by men. I am not into formality, court manners, systems of authority and rank, so I thought this would be tough for me to wade through but the storytelling is good, the plot is awesome, and the characters are relatable. I love the Shogun, She is frugal, focused and disinterested in following all the rules. I want to read the future volumes (I think there are 3?), which I didn't expect starting the book.
This manga takes place in some alternative version of feudal Japan, where something like 80% of the male population has mysteriously died off from a plague, and all positions of authority right up to the top are held by women. Scarcity creates value, of course, and the role of men in society shifts dramatically & quickly. Male heirs can be married off, bringing great wealth to their family. Men can earn money by impregnating women who long for a baby but can't afford a husband. All of the work in the country is done by women, as men are too precious and scarce. The country manages to maintain a sense of normality in international dealings & history records by giving male names to business women as they take over the family businesses. The shogun keeps a harem, an inner court, which is entirely staffed by men. I am not into formality, court manners, systems of authority and rank, so I thought this would be tough for me to wade through but the storytelling is good, the plot is awesome, and the characters are relatable. I love the Shogun, She is frugal, focused and disinterested in following all the rules. I want to read the future volumes (I think there are 3?), which I didn't expect starting the book.