- Oct 17, 2012
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Japan's Earliest Manga Discovered!
Until now, the earliest manga found in Japan had been traced to the 12th Century. But now, archaeologists excavating an ancient site near Akihabara, have discovered a a cache of scrolls that are believed to be among the first manga ever drawn. The scrolls have been carbon dated as 4000 years old.
Drawn on sheepskin, the scrolls show a manga series depicting the misadventures of a clumsy Samurai who constantly kills everyone around him and himself. In each new episode, the clumsy Samurai returns, to accidentally create more mayhem, similar to the concept of South Park's Kenny.
In one misadventure, the Samurai and his army are on the verge of victory. He charges toward the enemy, accidentally leading his men over a cliff.
In another, he celebrates his wedding day by swinging his mighty katana around, accidentally beheading his bride and himself.
After proper restoration, the scrolls, titled, The Misadventures of Rafis Loplo, will be serialized in the Journal of Japanese Archaeology.
A sample of the ancient manga scrolls has already been released to the public.
Until now, the earliest manga found in Japan had been traced to the 12th Century. But now, archaeologists excavating an ancient site near Akihabara, have discovered a a cache of scrolls that are believed to be among the first manga ever drawn. The scrolls have been carbon dated as 4000 years old.
Drawn on sheepskin, the scrolls show a manga series depicting the misadventures of a clumsy Samurai who constantly kills everyone around him and himself. In each new episode, the clumsy Samurai returns, to accidentally create more mayhem, similar to the concept of South Park's Kenny.
In one misadventure, the Samurai and his army are on the verge of victory. He charges toward the enemy, accidentally leading his men over a cliff.
In another, he celebrates his wedding day by swinging his mighty katana around, accidentally beheading his bride and himself.
After proper restoration, the scrolls, titled, The Misadventures of Rafis Loplo, will be serialized in the Journal of Japanese Archaeology.
A sample of the ancient manga scrolls has already been released to the public.
