Hey Everyone,

This semester in University I was fortunate enough to take a class focusing on Comic Books and Graphic novels and for my final project I want to write about Hikaru no Go. My professor is allowing for creative final projects, instead of writing a boring essay I want to re-read the Hikaru no Go manga and comment on it in blog form. I really want to focus on the way Hikaru no Go shows the unique culture surrounding go, especially in Japan.

I thought posting here would be useful because at least 80% of my knowledge about Go has come from this forum. Also I figured some of you may be interested in reading the work in progress. I would very much appreciate any information about Hikaru no Go or about Go culture in Japan, China and Korea. Anything at all would be helpful, interviews, news articles, videos, I think the more I am able to gather the better I will be able to represent the rich history and popularity of Go. I would also appreciate constructive criticism or any corrections anyone has!

Thanks for any help!

http://www.Hikarunogoculture.blogspot.com

I think that's an excellent idea. Once you're done with project, you should keep it up and running.

That's a fantastic project!

Without looking into my Hikaru No Go volumes, there are several aspects of go present in Hikaru No Go coming to my mind which you could focus on:
- Holding a stone
- Internet Go
- International battle between Japan, Korea, China

I've read your blog introduction and try to continue reading it and to write constructive critics.

Keep on!

Sounds good but you might want to check with your professor that this will be okay - i.e. get good marks.

I can't hold back the "grumpy old man" in me so I'll offer as constructive criticism the point of view that blog entries might not be great for in depth analysis - but hey, that could be wrong.

p.s. instead of writing a boring essay you could always write an interesting one

_________________
I am John. John-I-Am.

Please warn us whenever you make an update.
I am interested in reading your posts, but I fear I might not remember again.

I have to admit, when I first started reading Hikaru, I felt like it was juvenile for me, as I had never read manga, but was quickly enthralled, and read every issue. So I'm excited to read your blog! Perhaps I'll start over again.

I think one of the great things about the manga is that it is a sort of weird self-fulfilling metaphor. Sai comes out of the past, replete with his very traditional garb, to enlighten some young kid who is clueless about the great bygone national pasttime, and in turn he is made hipper and younger by the new generation, much as the game of go, from the influence of this manga (from what i have heard) has had a similar trajectory in japan as sai has in the manga.

On a less murky level, I also always found it interesting to compare and contrast the personal style of Touya sensei, in his traditional garb, with that of Ogata. Much of the series seems to contrast old and new, and while paying respect to the strength of the new, seems to favor the old.

On a completely unrelated note, where did you get your avatar, dharmabum? I'm sure it'll be something embarrassingly famous..

_________________
Occupy Babel!

I have never read it but it looks interesting.

http://www.amazon.com/Dharma-Penguin-Cl ... 420&sr=8-1

Yep, that's embarrassingly famous!

_________________
Occupy Babel!

Thanks for all the feedback! I took your advice, CnP, and had a chat with my professor about the project. He made me realize that although it's a creative idea presenting in a blog format it might not be the best or most academic method. I sort of realized that what I had been hoping to cover with a blog was quite broad. So I think i've been converted to writing an essay on the topic.

That being said I still may continue with the blog for fun If anyone is interested I could put up the essay.



I really enjoy the contrast of tradition with modernity. Have you read The Master of Go by Kawabata? I feel like he writes about a really similar contrast in that novel, I absolutely loved it.

Also Dharma Bums is a great novel, the first one I read by Jack Kerouac.

Not to worry, hyperpape, i know and love the book (as well as its precursor and predecessor) but i didnt realize that was the cover, my copy was different. not sure why, that cover is great.

and yes, bum, im looking forward to reading it. i've always wanted a little more analysis of hng to read.