‘Cartoon Day’ is reminder of art’s role in democracy
July 17, 2016
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2016 July 13 - 19 [SOCIAL ISSUES]
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In Japan, July 17 is “Cartoon Day” based on the historical fact that in 1841, the first issue of the British weekly magazine “Punch”, which was famous for its cartoons satirizing politicians, people in power, and social issues, came out.
One of the cartoons in the “Punch” magazine, for example, shows a bear, a lion, and a turbaned man in between them. The predatory animals are licking their lips and the man says, “Save me from my friends!” This is a caricature of Afghanistan being fought over for control by Russia and Britain. In 1862, “Japan Punch” was launched in a foreign settlement area in Yokohama City.
In the late 19th Century, when the movement for freedom and civic rights was mounting in Japan, satirical comic strips critical of the oligarchic government achieved widespread popularity and added momentum to the anti-government movement.
“Originally, the spirit of cartoons centers on satire and humor,” said Nishida Toshiko of a citizens group that holds a cartoon exhibition every year. She went on to say, “When creating cartoons, authors grasp the essence of a social event and make full use of their drawing skills and creativity. If lacking their own ideology or opinion, the creators cannot impress readers. Without a basis in human nature, a cartoon will be a cold composition.”
The group’s cartoon exhibition has taken place annually since 1970 with the aim of using this form of art as a tool to raise public awareness about various social issues. The organizer in 2011 received drawings dealing with the issue of nuclear power generation. In 2015, around 100 pieces were displayed on the theme of “Abe wars”. This year’s exhibition will open in Tokyo on August 1 with the theme, “misers”.
“Unlike during the prewar period, people today can express and publish their thoughts in our events and in other ways,” Nishida noted. Every great movement in history started as an act of an individual.
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