Comics / Manga

Ooku: The Inner Chambers Volume 2

By Leroy Douresseaux
December 7, 2009 - 21:32

Ooku Volume 2 cover image is courtesy of barnesandnoble.com.

Rated “M” for “Mature”

Ōoku: The Inner Chambers is an historical fantasy that imagines a world where, in the early 1600s, a strange new disease, called the Redface Pox, appears and begins to prey on males, killing mostly young men and boys.  After the male population falls to about one-fourth of the female population, women take on the roles traditionally granted to men, including a woman being shogun.  Men are protected as precious “seed bearers.”

While the first volume depicted events that occurred in the early 18th century, Ōoku: The Inner Chambers, Vol.2, begins in 1632 with the death of the third Tokugawa shogun, Lord Iemitsu.  The narrative focuses on Sir Arikoto Madenokoji, the third son of an impoverished noble family.  Arikoto is traveling through Edo, on his way to become the Abbot of Keiko-in, with his two young friars, Gyokuei and Myokei.

A summons takes Arikoto to Edo Castle and an audience with Lord Iemitsu, but all is not what it seems.  Arikoto, Gyokuei, and Myokei are soon ensnared in the political machinations of Lady Kasuga, the senior chamberlain of the Inner Chambers of Edo Castle.  The Inner Chambers are the residences of the shogun’s concubines – a residence from which they may never leave, and this sacred place is about to spill its secrets to Arikoto.

THE LOWDOWN:  While it is essentially an alternate-Earth scenario, Ōoku focuses on intimate character drama, through which creator Fumi Yoshinaga (Antique Bakery) examines interpersonal relationships and societal mores.  The narrative in this volume, even more so than in the first, dissects gender roles via court intrigue.  The bitterness of the samurai attendants towards the Shogun and Arikoto rings with authenticity and gives Ōoku a surprising sense of verisimilitude.

This, however, is not only a high-minded, scholarly study; it is also a highly emotional tale of pain and loss.  This story has such a hypnotic quality that the reader might also feel trapped.  As Arikoto discovers, there is suffering and pain even where he doesn’t expect it.  As I discovered, a reader can find truly excellent storytelling when he might not expect it.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  For anyone who has read and enjoyed Fumi Yoshinaga’s work. Ōoku is a must.

A+

 

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12