Machiko Hasegawa's
The Wonderful World of Sazae-san

Machiko Hasegawa's The Wonderful World of Sazae-san offers a great view for life in Japan was fifty years ago. First

published in 1946 in local newspaper Fukunichi Shimbun, Sazae-san soon became a hit. 62 million comic books of Sazae-san has been sold in Japan and that is a big number, comparing to anything. There was soon radio programs and animated TV-series simply known as Sazae-san, and also movies. Everyone in Japan has heard of Sazae-san.

The Wonderful World of Sazae-san tells about life of cheerfull heroine Sazae, a Japanese young woman and her typical Japanese family. Often the problems are related to household things.

Sazae's family consists following characters (some appear later in the series). Please note that in Japan, last name is often pronounced first. I have included the names written Japanese characters (the last name comes first in those).

Masuo Fuguta, Sazae's husband who appeared soon as Sazae married him in early in cartoon series. Fune Isono, is Sazae's very Japanese mother. She is often worried whether Sazae behaves as Japanese woman should. Her father is Namihei Isono, and her younger siblings are brother Katsuo and sister Wakame.

Tarao Fuguta is the child of Sazae and is often referred as Tara-chan.

It is fascinating to see the character development of Mrs. Sazae. Costumers gradually change into a western style - the comic takes place in years between 1950-60 when lot of that really took place. However, as usual in cartoons characters do not age. Sazae is always 27 years old.

"Do the Isono's live around here? -
You mean that family with the lively daughter?"

The power of Sazae-san's cheerfullness and gentle humor helped Japanese to endure during

hard aftermath of war. Not only Sazae-san helped the Japanese to make the life more bearable - but also it promoted the equality between men and women. Sazae was a modern woman born in world of postwar Japan when old thinking was still at large.

First form of comic book was published by Shimaisha publishing company which was a ran by Hasegawa's sister. After this, Asahi Shimbun purchased the rights to publish the comic books. Forty Five books were published, until Hasegawa retired in February 21, 1974 and ended the comic.

Now, comics can be found published by Kodansha America. For us foreigners it is fantastic to read soon sixty years old Japanese comic, conveniently in English. They can be bought from US, London and in my knowledge, also some other European countries. In Narita Airport they have entire series of The Wonderful World of Sazae-san. The books have a wonderfully written foreword by Frederik L. Schodt, the author of "Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics". Also, for difficult parts, there is description that explains the context - reader doesn't have to be a specialist to enter the wonderful world of Sazae-san.

Always optimistic, but never light hearted. I wish the sunny message of Sazae-san will be passed to future generations. Then they can see also that everything doesnt have to be always so dark and serious. But can, in fact be cheerfull.

Sazae to Katsuo: "Stop Slacking! What's your homework essay about?" - "My elder sister."

Comments