Kirjahaku

A collection of wonder-full poems and prose written by graphic novelist Sean Michael Wilson when he was in his 20s. 72 pages, hardback edition. NB. Scanned from original files, so contains mistakes, tea stains and odd stuff. Left that way deliberately as i wanted to show the originals.

Volume 1 of the early poems of Sean Michael Wilson. Emotional, lyrical, experimental early poems. Nice 72 pages hardback edition. Scanned from original files, so contains mistakes, tea stains and odd stuff. Left that way deliberately as i wanted to show the originals.

"Parecomic" is a graphic novel about the system we live in--what's wrong with it, and how we might be able change it for the better. The recent upsurge in popular protest around the world shows that people are not happy with the state of capitalism and desire an alternative that will work for the 99%, not just the 1%. Parecon is one such alternative, and "Parecomic" brings this to life in illustrated form. "Parecomic" is about Michael Albert--the visionary behind "participatory economics"--and his life's struggle as a left-wing activist in the US, beginning with the heady days of 1960s student demos and lifestyle rebellions; following the developments of the antiwar, civil rights, woman's, and Black Panthers movements; to the establishment of alternative media like South End Press and ZNet; and the development of the participatory economics model.

2022 Skipping Stones Honor Awards Recipient | 2021 NCTAsia Freeman Award Honorable MentionThe true story of how one Japanese village suffered and survived the mercury poisoning of its waters.A powerful graphic novel/manga that tells the story of "Minamata disease," a debilitating and sometimes fatal condition caused by the Chisso chemical factory's careless release of methylmercury into the waters of the coastal community of Minamata in southern Japan. First identified in 1956, it became a hot topic in Japan in the 1970s and 80s, growing into an iconic struggle between people versus corporations and government agencies.This struggle is relevant today, not simply because many people are still living with the disease but also because, in this time of growing concern over the safety of our environment—viz. Flint, Michigan—Minamata gives us as a very moving example of such human-caused environmental disasters and what we can do about them.The event is also the subject of the 2020 Andrew Levitas directed Johnny Depp film, Minamata.

A graphic novel version of the life of legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Miyamoto Musashi, the legendary samurai, is known throughout the world as a master swordsman, spiritual seeker, and author of the classic Book of Five Rings. Acclaimed manga creator Sean Michael Wilson has created both a vivid account of a fascinating period in feudal Japan and a portrait of a courageous, iconoclastic samurai who wrestled with philosophical and spiritual ideas that are as relevant today as they were in his time. For Musashi, the way of the martial arts was about mastery of the mind rather than simply technical prowess. Over 350 years after his death, Musashi still intrigues us--and his Book of Five Rings is essential reading for students of all martial arts and those interested in cultivating a strategic mind.

A graphic novel version of the most dramatic example of bushido--the samurai code--in Japanese history. In the eighteenth century, forty-seven samurai avenged the death of their master in a plot that would take over two years to complete. After succeeding in their mission, the masterless samurai--known as "ronin"--all committed ritual suicide. The story, which is a national legend, remains the most potent example of Japan's deeply rooted cultural imperative of honor, persistence, loyalty, and sacrifice. The historical event has inspired many writers and artists over the years and numerous fictionalized versions and adaptations have emerged. In "The 47 Ronin," Sean Michael Wilson has created a historically factual portrait, enhanced by evocative and often lyrical drawings by Akiko Shimojima. While there are other depictions of the story in manga form, this version stands out as being the most accurate and most compelling. Wilson and Shimojima have made the characters nuanced and relatable.

A graphic novel portrait of the wild antics and legendary poetry of the "Laughing Pair"--Han Shan and Shih Te, two of China's greatest poets. This is a smart, funny graphic novel exploring the life, legend, and lore of two of the greatest poets in Chinese history--Han Shan (known as "Cold Mountain") and Shih Te--who reportedly lived during the Tang dynasty (618-906 CE). They were critics of authority (both secular and religious) and champions of social justice who left their poetry on tree trunks and rocks. They were also reportedly monastics, drunks, cave dwellers, immortals, and many other wild and wondrous things. There is much delightful uncertainty about this "Laughing Pair"--including whether or not they actually existed. What is known is that the poetry attributed to them was greatly influential in both China and Japan, and to the Beat writers in the United States during the 1950s and '60s. Acclaimed manga creator Sean Michael Wilson has brought these renegade poets to life, showing the places they went and the philosophical and meditative aspects of their lives, as well as revealing their humor and wackiness and their penetrating insights into the human condition.Their poetry is interwoven throughout--translations by J. P. Seaton, one of the most respected tranlsators of Chinese poetry in the United States.

Eerie traditional Japanese ghost stories retold in a graphic novel format. Over one hundred years ago, the writer Lafcadio Hearn gathered and translated into English a selection of traditional Japanese ghost/mystery stories. They were published as Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things. In this new graphic novel, acclaimed manga creator Sean Michael Wilson retells six of these stories. All of them are very well known in Japan, where ghosts and demons are often called yokai, meaning "the mysterious and weird." Today these stories find expression mostly in movies and manga, but they remain rooted in the traditional ghost stories of the Edo era known as kaidan, which means "recited narrative of strange, mysterious, rare, or bewitching apparitions." The book includes an afterword by William Scott Wilson, the esteemed translator and editor of Japanese texts and samurai philosophy, who puts the stories into historical context. A 2016 YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens Recommendation

In the final volume of The Story of Lee, Lee and Matt continue their studies and their relationship in the UK. With growing confidence Lee asserts herself more and Matt finds that he needs to change to be more the way she likes, or challenge her ideas and risk upsetting their relationship. Meanwhile a Chinese student becomes a rival to Lee's attentions, and Matt finds himself in both financial and existential trouble. Against the backdrop of increasing societal turmoil back in Hong Kong, she has a big decision to make: go back home to help or pursue an independent life in the UK?

Matt, an ex-pat from Scotland in Hong Kong, meets Lee, a local Chinese girl. They fall in love but her family is resistant to this foreigner. Matt eventually brings Lee back to study in Scotland and meet his family and friends. They both find out how difficult family pressures and cultural differences can be, but can they be surmounted?

The Binding Cage is already open. And apparently has been open for quite some time. Now Pat and Falamor have to contend with the "Banished Gods', powerful entities originally locked away within the Cage at the close of a ancient conflict. But why were the Banished Gods necessary? What kind of threat would justify such a response? Pat and Falamor are afraid the answers to those questions might be far worse than they can imagine.

In his famous history series A History of the English Speaking Peoples Winston Churchill seemed to think that history was about wars and made by great leaders. Fight the Power begs to differ and instead presents A Visual History of Protest Amongst the English Speaking Peoples. Today's occupy movements are part of a long history of struggle. This book visualises key moments in history where ordinary people have risen up and fought governments, corporations, even empires. When the 99% have stood up to combat exploitation and abuse or in pursuit of freedom of action and a better life. In other words, to show times in history, just like today, when people have struggled forward to FIGHT THE POWER! This comic book covers 14 cases of such struggle over the last 200 years and in several English speaking countries including not just the US and UK but Australia, Canada, South Africa, Ireland, India and Jamaica.

An old union rep, Joe, and his granddaughter, Arushi, spend a few pleasant days together going over the history of the labour movement. Over tea and sandwiches in his studio they consider the whole wide sweep and points of connection throughout history. Starting way back with the 14th-century Peasants' Revolt, taking in the Levellers and the Luddites, the expansion of the unions in the 19th century, the height of their power in the `70s, and the great conflicts and decline of the `80s. With a mix of serious research and family jokes Joe and Arushi go into the complicated history, the ideological battles, the class conflict, a consideration of what unions are for, and what the future of unions may be.

A graphic novel about healing through mindfulness and gardening by two highly acclaimed creators.I have happily forgotten what used to concern me before all this. I am the strongest thing in the world. I have an infinity of precious details to smile upon. Quiet and meditative, The Garden is a story told in manga about one woman's spiritual and emotional growth. Following a breakdown, Joanna takes medical leave from her job in a high-powered finance firm. Seeking something meaningful in her life, she travels to Japan to immerse herself in Zen gardening and meditation before returning home to nurture her own Japanese garden . . . and her soul. Two powerful and admired creators--award-winning writer Sean Michael Wilson and graphic-novel artist Fumio Obata--have created a powerful story of healing and recovery.

Award winning team of Sean Michael Wilson and Akiko Shimojima have ventured into new territory in this, their ninth book together, on the explorer Mamiya Rinzo (間宮 林蔵) who mapped Sakhalin Island in the early years of the 19th century. "Mamiya's Maps" is about exploration, culture clash, the making of maps and how they are related to politics. It's also anthropological in its look at the Ainu and Nivkh people of Sakhalin island. The animals and the landscape of the island and its surrounding waters are beautifully illustrated, making this a visually appealing manga that explores a little known aspect of Japanese history and culture. The issues the book covers are still relevant now, since the ownership of the island has been in dispute since the end of World War 2, but also the treatment of the Ainu and other indigenous peoples of the area has been called into question.

Award winning team of Sean Michael Wilson and Akiko Shimojima present their 10th book together, on the adventure of Ranald MacDonald in 19th century Japan.In 1848, the half Scottish, half Native American MacDonald hatched a wild plan to sneak into Japan - something strictly forbidden at the time, sometimes even facing the punishment of execution. In this manga we see how he carried out his plan after leaving his home area in north west America, and the adventures he had while in captivity in Hokkaido and Nagasaki.MacDonald is credited by some as being the first native speaker to officially teach English in Japan. His students, while under the care of the Governor of Nagasaki, included those Japanese who would go on to act as interpreters for the treaties with various foreign governments in the 1850s and 60s. Therefore, the renegade MacDonald played an important role in the opening up of Japan after more than 250 years of isolation.