Inoue Takehiko: The LAST Manga Exhibition

[Th3Branded0ne]

Funny comment in that blog that says "to paint such a big picture, it requires much more muscle than to play basketball" I chuckle at that.

 

[Eluvei]

Nice portuguese, Branded!

 

[Th3Branded0ne]

Nice portuguese, Branded!

I only got it because is so similar to Spanish. I know nothing about Portuguese.

 

[Griffith]

Here's the official translation from the Inoue Takehiko: The LAST Manga Exhibition complete catalogue, spoilers obviously:



P.008

At the back of that Zen temple--
There is a cave shaped like a deeply gouged rocky mountain.

P.021

Fūki:
As legend has it--
He first killed with a sword at thirteen.
Single-handedly dispatched seventy men.
Was never defeated.

P.022

Fūki:
This is the man I wish to be.

P.023

Fūki:
My name... like the wind, in the trees...
It shall be Fūki...

Fūki's father:
That is not to be believed.

P.024

Fūki's father:
The sword is not for cutting people down. It is for ruling the land.

Fūki:
...Father.

Fūki's master:
As your father says--
that so-called legend is not something to look up to.

Fūki:
Master.

Fūki's master:
Miyamoto Musashi? His was a killing sword.
He flaunted his own strength, and did the devil's work.
The sword must not be used to slay.
The character for bu (chivary) is written, "put down the sword."
The sword must preserve life, bringing out the best in people.

P.026

Fūki:
You lie. A sword not made to kill, is no sword at all.
Master Miyamoto Musashi--

P.027

Fūki:
The rumors are true after all.
The sword-saint was here.

Reigando Cave--

P.029

Fūki:
Please make me your disciple!!

P.034

Musashi:
What is that sword... Do you intend to duel to the death, though only a child.

Fūki:
I am not a child.
According to the "legend," you first killed at my very age--

P.035

Fūki:
Isn't that true,
Master Miaymoto Musashi?

P.036

Fūki:
Please, make me your final disciple!!

P.037

Musashi:
Jōtarō--
Please forgive me.
I never did anything for you. I should have never made you a disciple--
How did you live after that?

P.038

Musashi:
I'm so sorry.

Fūki:
Wha...?

P.041

Musashi:
Gak...! Gw...ahhhk!

Fūki:
Master!! Are you ill...

P.042

Musashi:
My time may be near... (huf... huf...)
Perhaps that is why I can see so many things... (Like Kitaro...)

Fūki:
Hey!! I'm a living person!!

Musashi:
Look... over there, too...

P.044

(Shoom...)

Inshun:
You're still alive? Good.
I've come to fulfill my promise.

P.045

Inshun:
But this time, not to do battle

P.048

Musashi:
...You're not hiding a spear somewhere, are you?

Inshun:
No way. (hmph)

Musashi:
I never felt that frightened in my life, you bastard. (whew...)

P.049

Inshun:
There is no need for more.
We have already dueled two times.

P.054

Fūki:

Master, please look at my sword work.

P.058

Musashi:
I have exhausted my words.
But I do not know what I will leave to the world.

P.059

Musashi:
Words are like the sea.
You must descend deep into the waters to see what lies in the bottom.
For those content to gaze, there is only beauty; and tedium.

P.060

Musashi:
The truth lies here.
How it is accepted is only that, the truth for each man.

P.063

Fūki: He's fallen asleep...

P. 066

(Krack...)

P.068

Musashi:
With that hair, it must be difficult to see ahead.

P.069

At age seven

P. 070

Fūki:
I was a fatherless child, but one day a father appeared.
He said I would be his heir.
No one defied my father's words.
But their eyes spoke differently.
Illegitimate.
A mistake.
Born out of wedlock.

P.071

Fūki:
What do I care? Swords bring out the best in us?
Peace and tranquility?
That doesn't concern me.
I have no friends, no allies.
I cannot look people in the eye.

P.072

Musashi:
Hmmm.

Fūki:
I'm still afraid.

P.074

Fūki:
Afraid.

P.075

Fūki:
I'm weak.
I yearn to become strong.

P.076

Become strong

P.078

So I can live on my own.

P.090

Otsū:
It's full of thorns.

P.091

Otsū:
They won't come out...

P.094

Baiken:
Inevitable.
It was inevitable, that you would be guided here.

P.098

Ueda:
You appear ill.
Are you in pain?
Here, take this.

P.101

Inei:
What is a truly strong man?

P.104

Inei:

You will know, when you become so.

P.107

Seijuro:
Hi.

P.115

Fūki: Master! Ma... Master...

P.116

Fūki... soft and warm...

P.117

That, is strength.

P.118

But those are mere words... Until you, yourself...

P.119

Become strong--

P.121

Inei & Sekishūsai:
It was good meeting you... Musashi.

P.123

Inei & Sekishūsai:
Don't stand there. We're going together you dummy.

P.124

Inei & Sekishūsai:
But we know nothing of where we go... (slither, slither)
Therein lies the charm, don't you think?

P.127

Jōnosuke:
It is good to see you again!!

Musashi:
Huh?
Why do I have so many visitors today when I ordered no one
to be allowed in... Or, is this a vision, as I pass into nirvana?

P. 128

Jōnosuke:
Yagyū Jōnosuke. My childhood name was Jōtarō.
Master!!

P.129

Jōnosuke:
We are not the final ones to visit.
Many have heard about you, and want to catch a glance... learn from you
... they want to pay their respects.
There, outside the gate -- See, Master!

P.134

Jōnosuke:
Master, you dispatched many...
But for many more people...

P.135

Jōnosuke:
In the past... in the future... and for eternity...

P.136

Jōnosuke:
You have shown the way.

P.140

Jōnosuke:
This is my grandson. My wife... died this spring.
She was eight years my senior...

Grandson:
He's asleep.

Jōnosuke:
Master.

P.141

Fūki:
Master.

Otsū:
Takezo, are you all right?

P.144

Musashi:
Yeah.

P.145

Musashi:
I'm fine.

P.150

Musashi:
Father.

P.152

Musashi:
The closer I move to having no equal,
the stronger the bond between us grows. Isn't that the truth?

Munisai:
Of what?

P.153

Munisai:
Only detest. Even towards my son.

P.154

Musashi:
But even that, is a bond.

P. 161

Otsū:
Are you all right?

P.162

Musashi:
I'm fine.... What's this?

P.163

Musashi:
Wha... Hey...

P. 167

Munisai:
Musashi... Is there anything you still want?

P. 186

Kojiro:
Are you ready?

P.187

Kojiro:
Let's go.

 

[Walter]

Really magnificent stuff. Thanks for posting it Griff.

But again, it makes me wonder how this all fits in with the remainder of the series -- how we, as readers, are expected to take it. THE END of Vagabond? Even more a conclusion than the actual releases will prove to be?

PS:

Musashi:
...You're not hiding a spear somewhere, are you?

Inshun:
No way. (hmph)

Seriously made me laugh

These two ended up reminding me of Yagyu and Sekishusai

 

[Griffith]

But again, it makes me wonder how this all fits in with the remainder of the series -- how we, as readers, are expected to take it. THE END of Vagabond? Even more a conclusion than the actual releases will prove to be?

Here's what Inoue had to say about it:

"I thought "The LAST Manga Exhibition" could become an
opportunity for me, to turn the "Musashi" I depicted and
his lifetime of killing dozens of people into a positive, despite
everything.

What I'm trying to say is--

The people that read "Vagabond" all along.
The people that accepted my many twists and turns during
these 10 years, and kept following me.
I really, really wanted to make them feel good.
"I'm glad I kept reading." --
I absolutely wanted to make them feel that way.

Drawing "shadows" to draw "light."
Conflicts and killing people are "shadows."
I thought I had to draw that side, or I wouldn't be able to see
the "light."
I thought that was what I was proceeding towards.

However, even if it was something along the path to my
destination, the pictures that depict killing people, although
pictures, also had the power to unconciously hurt people's
hearts.
Unseen thorns were left remaining in the reader and the
artist.
When I discovered a part of myself that felt, I don't want to
show these to people that still have God-like, bare open souls,
like young children, I felt this was a certainty.

I'm glad I was able to draw this story at this time.
No, it had to be this time, and it had to be a "Manga drawn
in space, experienced with one's entire body," or it really
wouldn't have been possible to get across.

I now truly feel that I finally had an opportunity to depict
"light" itself.
When I think so, it all wasn't a mistake. It turned into the
exact form I was proceeding to.

Even when I depict sorrow, it is no longer sorrow without a
destination.

July 2008
Inoue Takehiko"

Wow, Musashi's journey has been Inoue's and vice versa far beyond just the relationship between author and character. I'm taking it altogether, I can't really see any other way, and what's interesting is how all this co-exists; Vagabond as it continues now is both taking place before and yet spiritually beyond "the end" Inoue has depicted here. For Inoue, is The LAST Manga Exhibition an epilogue, or is that what the rest of Vagabond is now?

PS:Seriously made me laugh

There's a lot of interesting and funny little moments like that one you can't get from the text alone (including a few different parallels to old Yagyu meeting Musashi, as well as the closest thing to a nod to Ittosai). Also...

P.140

Jōnosuke:
This is my grandson. My wife... died this spring.
She was eight years my senior...

As we both wondered, Jotaro with a wife eight years his senior... Otsu?

Anyway, I'm going to post some pictures later to highlight some of those scenes and other important moments, or just some of the more amazing artwork (I wish I had a better digital camera... might have to borrow one). I'm open to ideas how to go about this and even requests.

 

[Eluvei]

Oh my, I can't believe I just read that. Thanks so much for posting this here Griff, I didn't know you had it! I waited so long to read this, and it's better than I expected!

As we both wondered, Jotaro with a wife eight years his senior... Otsu?

That would be unexpected. They had such a solid brother and sister relationship.

I'm open to ideas how to go about this and even requests.

Anyway, I'm going to post some pictures later to highlight some of those scenes and other important moments, or just some of the more amazing artwork

Yay!

 

[Griffith]

Oh my, I can't believe I just read that. Thanks so much for posting this here Griff, I didn't know you had it! I waited so long to read this, and it's better than I expected!

It just came in this morning, and I have you to thank again for this; I ordered the complete catalogue literally minutes after getting your original PM about the exhibition, I was that excited! I just kept it quiet in case something went wrong. Also, I can now vouch for the seller, he sent it, and in perfect condition, still in the shrink wrap and very well protected. I was impressed, the price is high, but at least I feel like I got what I paid for.

Anyway, posting the translation was the least I could do.

That would be unexpected. They had such a solid brother and sister relationship.

One word: puberty.

Yay!

Yeah, I just don't don't know how good it's going to look with my camera. I tried photographing some Vagabond panels before and have had pretty mixed results, best you can expect is something like this or this. I'll experiment tonight.

 

[Eluvei]

It just came in this morning, and I have you to thank again for this; I ordered the complete catalogue literally minutes after getting your original PM about the exhibition, I was that excited! I just kept it quiet in case something went wrong. Also, I can now vouch for the seller, he sent it, and in perfect condition, still in the shrink wrap and very well protected. I was impressed, the price is high, but at least I feel like I got what I paid for.

Man, I'm glad you kept it to yourself. The surprise factor was pretty awesome just now, my blood pressure probably went down when I saw your post. Plus, with our lack of Vagabond and Berserk, it feels even fresher.

I'm glad it arrived safely, and that a true fan got his hands on such a limited piece.

One word: puberty.

Hahaha, yeah. But man, it's hard to imagine an Otsu that got over Takezo marrying the kid that idolized him.

Yeah, I just don't don't know how good it's going to look with my camera. I tried photographing some Vagabond panels before and have had pretty mixed results, best you can expect is something like this or this. I'll experiment tonight.

Really, it's not so bad at all. Plus, an Inoue piece looks good even when it's a picture of a blurry TV screen displaying it, as we found out some posts earlier, right?

 

[Griffith]

Man, I'm glad you kept it to yourself. The surprise factor was pretty awesome just now, my blood pressure probably went down when I saw your post. Plus, with our lack of Vagabond and Berserk, it feels even fresher.

Yeah, I'm glad the way it worked out, especially since a couple of weeks ago I was wondering if it was even coming at all. Which reminds me, I need to leave that fellow feedback.

I'm glad it arrived safely, and that a true fan got his hands on such a limited piece.

Thank you, I definitely felt like I needed it to complete my collection, right away it just seemed too special to let it pass. Even if I'm now in the awkward position of hoping my book doesn't become obsolete because Inoue augments the exhibit. So far so good though, even that glorious painting was only an outside banner, and not technically part of the exhibit itself, much like this poster, which isn't showcased in the catalogue either. In any case, I do hope it becomes more widely, and cheaply, available for all when the dust settles. The worst case scenario is the idea that I'd have to spend another small fortunate to just get a slightly altered version. I'm not too worried though, I think most of the work Inoue has to do for the location specific exhibitions has to do with mostly with setup; lighting, presentation, and even props as I discovered.

Hahaha, yeah. But man, it's hard to imagine an Otsu that got over Takezo marrying the kid that idolized him.

Another word: spinster!

Really, it's not so bad at all. Plus, an Inoue piece looks good even when it's a picture of a blurry TV screen displaying it, as we found out some posts earlier, right?

Haha yes, and reviewing those pictures I took actually got my hopes up, since the catalogue is much larger and the artwork centered on the pages, making for easier photographing.

 

[Eluvei]

Yeah, I'm glad the way it worked out, especially since a couple of weeks ago I was wondering if it was even coming at all. Which reminds me, I need to leave that fellow feedback.

Good to know he's as organized as his blog.

Thank you, I definitely felt like I needed it to complete my collection, right away it just seemed too special to let it pass. Even if I'm now in the awkward position of hoping my book doesn't become obsolete because Inoue augments the exhibit.

Well, as far as I know, the book was made for concern over those that couldn't get tickets to the first exhibit, so my guess is that since they decided to make the exhibit an early thing, it's unlikely they release a new catalogue so soon. In any case, yours will always be the limited edition catalogue of the first one ever.

Another word: spinster!

Haha yes, and reviewing those pictures I took actually got my hopes up, since the catalogue is much larger and the artwork centered on the pages, making for easier photographing.

Yeah. Your pics weren't bad at all. Well Matahachi looked awful in that pic, but that's Inoue's fault.

P. 186

Kojiro:
Are you ready?

P.187

Kojiro:
Let's go.

This almost brought tears to my eyes. Please, do post these if you can, man.

 

[Griffith]

This almost brought tears to my eyes. Please, do post these if you can, man.

More tomorrow.

 

[slan69]

Thanks Griff for posting this, it's pretty damn amazing to be actually reading this. I have to say though Jotaro and Otsu don't seem like the best match to me, I of course would love to see Otsu and Musashi together.

 

[Griffith]

Thanks Griff for posting this, it's pretty damn amazing to be actually reading this. I have to say though Jotaro and Otsu don't seem like the best match to me, I of course would love to see Otsu and Musashi together.

P.140

Jōnosuke:
This is my grandson. My wife... died this spring.
She was eight years my senior...

Grandson:
He's asleep.

Jōnosuke:
Master.

P.141

Fūki:
Master.

Otsū:
Takezo, are you all right?

P.144

Musashi:
Yeah.

P.145

Musashi:
I'm fine.

 

[Eluvei]

God, it must be embarrassing to see that exhibition live, with everyone walking around crying. Those are some beautiful scenes. Thanks Griff.

 

[Griffith]

Yeah, it's very sad in a subtle way, like old regret. Here's a more light-hearted sequence though, volume 11 fans should appreciate it:

Fūki: "He's fallen asleep..."

(Krack...)

Heh, like Sekishusai and Ittosai, rolled into one.​

 

[Eluvei]

Haha, damn, that's awesome. I knew there was that "Sekishusai meets Musashi" kinda feeling when we saw Fūki and old man Musashi in those first pics.

Keep posting the ones you think are the most important, Griff. But how are we ever gonna thank you for all this?

I love that sketch, I didn't know there were sketches on the book as well, or was that on the exhibit walls too?

By the way, no Matahachi in the exhibit? Not even a little bit?

 

[Griffith]

Haha, damn, that's awesome. I knew there was that "Sekishusai meets Musashi" kinda feeling when we saw Fūki and old man Musashi in those first pics.

Yeah, I love that he directly referenced it with Musashi in the other role now.

Keep posting the ones you think are the most important, Griff. But how are we ever gonna thank you for all this?

Just keep posting and let me know what you want to see. I'm trying not to repeat things we've already seen images of, and it's hard to actually share the most beautiful stuff, because you can't capture them, or really do any of it justice. These are photos of photos of art after all.

I love that sketch, I didn't know there were sketches on the book as well, or was that on the exhibit walls too?

It was part of the exhibit, art of all kinds in Inoue's repertoire are included, even sketches, though only a few. I thought it was interesting that even that style was utilized.

By the way, no Matahachi in the exhibit? Not even a little bit?

Strangely, not even a hint. Maybe that's why he's become such a prominent figure with Fūki in the series, and perhaps that means he and Musashi may yet make peace. Seemingly everyone else, dead or alive, came to make peace.

Ueda: You appear ill. Are you in pain? Here, take this.

This is one of my favorite little pieces.​

 

[Eluvei]

Just keep posting and let me know what you want to see. I'm trying not to repeat things we've already seen images of, and it's hard to actually share the most beautiful stuff, because you can't capture them, or really do any of it justice. These are photos of photos of art after all.

Alright. The ones I'd like to see the most are Baiken, Seijuro and Munisai's meeting with Musashi, but there are pictures of all of these on Halcyon Realms, so if you have any that isn't there (or can somehow provide a better photo of them, because Halcyon Realm's are kinda small and not really that focused on the drawings, but on the book itself), it'd be great. To be honest, I'd especially like to see this full image of Baiken (if it's the only one of him):

Strangely, not even a hint. Maybe that's why he's become such a prominent figure with Fūki in the series, and perhaps that means he and Musashi may yet make peace. Seemingly everyone else, dead or alive, came to make peace.

I hope they do make peace. It'd be so sad if both of them never met again because I think their friendship is such an important part of the series. Before I started posting here, I read that Matahachi thread Walter made, and I loved reading his analysis and yours, it really opened my eyes to him. I always saw him as a despicable vermin before that, denying any similarities we shared which, like you said, made me see that I am Matahachi after all. I reread many episodes featuring Matahachi after that thread, haha.
And now, after we've seen his atonement, I hope he can finally meet Musashi without pretending to be somebody else, or without any bad feelings towards him.

Hahaha, nice pics of Musashi and Ueda. It's pretty interesting how Ueda really stole the spotlight of the Yoshioka, isn't it? Inoue really likes to focus on him instead of the brothers.

When things settle down and you contribute until you're dry , I'll update the first post with a new scheme, pretty links, links to your posts and stuff like that.

 

[Griffith]

Alright. The ones I'd like to see the most are Baiken, Seijuro and Munisai's meeting with Musashi, but there are pictures of all of these on Halcyon Realms, so if you have any that isn't there (or can somehow provide a better photo of them, because Halcyon Realm's are kinda small and not really that focused on the drawings, but on the book itself), it'd be great. To be honest, I'd especially like to see this full image of Baiken (if it's the only one of him):

Well, I'm not posting repeats of any images that are already out there, but here's the rest of the Baiken portion, following those previously revealed pages:

Baiken: Inevitable. It was inevitable, that you would be guided here.​

Interestingly enough, Musashi's outreached hand there transitions directly to this page.

I hope they do make peace. It'd be so sad if both of them never met again because I think their friendship is such an important part of the series. Before I started posting here, I read that Matahachi thread Walter made, and I loved reading his analysis and yours, it really opened my eyes to him. I always saw him as a despicable vermin before that, denying any similarities we shared which, like you said, made me see that I am Matahachi after all. I reread many episodes featuring Matahachi after that thread, haha.
And now, after we've seen his atonement, I hope he can finally meet Musashi without pretending to be somebody else, or without any bad feelings towards him.

I hope so too, which is something I wouldn't have thought I'd be rooting for a few volumes ago. Matahatchi definitely develops a love/hate relationship with the reader. I love that thread too, one of the best here, I wish we had more character threads like that, and more Wally.

Hahaha, nice pics of Musashi and Ueda. It's pretty interesting how Ueda really stole the spotlight of the Yoshioka, isn't it? Inoue really likes to focus on him instead of the brothers.

Speaking of which, you've already seen the entirety of the Seijuro scene...

Seijuro: Hi.​

...but check out this sexy centerfold that follows:

Still a specimen.​

When things settle down and you contribute until you're dry , I'll update the first post with a new scheme, pretty links, links to your posts and stuff like that.

Ha, thank you, much appreciated. As for going back to the well, consider that what I've posted is still only a portion out of almost 200 pages, it's like a whole volume, just on a much grander scale! That said, I'm not planning to post too much more.

 

[Th3Branded0ne]

Yeah this pictures sure are great. It's like Inoue was holding back and brought it all to the table when it came to this catalog. Man I wish I wasn't out of cash to have bought it as well.

 

[Griffith]

Before continuing, please heed the disclaimer that what you're seeing is still merely a preview of this... experience. As I noted above, everything that's here is just small parts of 200 pages worth of material. I can no more convey how great this beautiful tale told through art is with these photos, the depth of feeling expressed in the many small and subtle illustrations, than the book itself can properly convey the power of experiencing the exhibit itself in person. With that said, here is an abridged version of the Munisai material, which spans over the last 30 pages and is intertwined with many other images and themes. I will post what we've already seen, and fill in the gaps with some highlights, accompanied by translation. Just keep my disclaimer in mind, it does not properly convey the scene, nor does it do the story justice. Anyway, now that I have you all excited, here we go...

Musashi: Father.

Musashi: The closer I move to having no equal, the stronger the bond between us grows. Isn't that the truth?
Munisai: Of what? Only detest. Even towards my son.

Musashi: But even that, is a bond.​

Munisai: Musashi... Is there anything you still want?​

 

[Grovel]

Thanks for all the info グリフィス!

I think I am going to have to buy this book.

 

[Eluvei]

Oh, so both Yoshiokas show up. I was afraid Deshichiro wouldn't, because he doesn't say anything to show up in the translation.

That Munisai portion is very beautiful, one of the best so far. But I wonder if he really calls him Musashi, or is it Takezo? In the end, did he talk to him as one who acknowledges him living by the sword, or as a father?

Anyway, thank you for these wonderful posts, the pictures you posted are all the ones I desperately wanted to see. I couldn't possibly think of anything else to ask of you. Boy, we'll have plenty to discuss from now on!

And is it just me, or is anyone else now looking even more forward to the next episodes after we've seen all of this?

I think I am going to have to buy this book.

I just thought the same thing!

 

[Walter]

And is it just me, or is anyone else now looking even more forward to the next episodes after we've seen all of this?

I may end up being in the minority on this, but for me it's the opposite. I feel that Inoue just finished the series in a really beautiful way, and that's going to be a stumbling block for me in the future of the episodic releases. It's such a climactic and emotional ending, I imagine it will be hard for me to continue following the day-to-day life of Musashi with as much gusto since we just experienced the culmination of what Inoue has been working toward all these years.