Summary

AUTHOR: Taniguchi, Jiro

ARTIST: Jiro Taniguchi (illustrator)

PUBLISHER: Shogakukan (Japanese); Fanfare/Ponent Mon (English)

FIRST BOOK PUBLICATION:Haruka na Machi e, 1998 (English translation, 2009)

The story of "A Distant Neighborhood" explores the poignant journey of a man who mysteriously revisits his past, grappling with family dynamics and personal growth. Jiro Taniguchi's narrative delves into themes of memory, responsibility, and the passage of time. Through a blend of reflective storytelling and detailed illustrations, the work captures the essence of life's impermanence and the enduring impact of one's choices.

Publication History

Jiro Taniguchi, a native of Tottori Prefecture, set the story of A Distant Neighborhood in Kurayoshi, the town where he was raised. In the early 1990s, Taniguchi sought to create stories beyond the action genre, leading to works like The Walking Man in 1992. This collection highlighted everyday life through the eyes of an observant wanderer, a style that resonated with readers. Encouraged by the publisher Shogakukan to explore this "slice-of-life" storytelling further, Taniguchi produced Inu wo kau, a series of short stories reflecting on the life of his deceased dog. This exploration of familial themes led Taniguchi to ponder a universal longing: the desire to revisit the past while retaining present memories. A Distant Neighborhood emerged as a narrative experiment to envision what such a journey might entail.

The manga first appeared as Haruka na Machi e in Japan in September 1998 and found its way across the globe through various translations. It became Quartier lointain in France by 2002, In una lontan città in Italy by 2003, Barrio lejano in Spain by 2003, and Vertraute Fremde in Germany by 2007. By 2009, it reached English-speaking audiences through Fanfare/Ponent Mon, marking its presence in the United States.

Plot

The narrative begins with a hungover Hiroshi Nakahara, a forty-eight-year-old man who boards the wrong train in Kyoto, unintentionally heading towards his childhood town of Kurayoshi. This physical journey soon turns metaphysical as Hiroshi reflects on his late mother, Kazue, realizing he is now her age at death. With a few hours to spare in Kurayoshi, he revisits old haunts, finding them transformed by time. A visit to Genzen Temple's cemetery becomes pivotal, as a trance-like state transports Hiroshi to his teenage years, a change symbolized by the flight of a butterfly.

Initially disoriented by his sudden youth, Hiroshi perceives his experience as a dream. Yet, as he reunites with his younger self's family, he grows to cherish the experience. Re-engaging with school life, he rekindles friendships and even reveals his true age to Daisuke Shimada, a budding writer. His encounter with Tomoko Nagase, a classmate he once admired from afar, leads to a newfound friendship.

Hiroshi finds himself reliving the year his father, Yoshio, deserted the family. Determined to alter this course, Hiroshi delves into his family's history, discovering connections between his father and Kazue's first husband, Shinichi Kotani. Both men served in WWII, and Yoshio survived to deliver Shinichi's ashes to his family—a duty that bound him to Kazue. Despite a seemingly content life, Yoshio felt trapped by obligations, seeking freedom from a life dictated by external demands.

Confronting Yoshio at the crucial moment of his departure, Hiroshi learns his father's need to find himself. Upon informing Kazue of Yoshio's absence, Hiroshi sees her acceptance of her own role in their shared fate. This revelation parallels Hiroshi's own life, prompting him to reflect on his strained relationship with his wife and daughters.

After a night of drinking, Hiroshi awakens back at Genzen Temple, restored to his present self. The butterfly reappears, marking his return to reality. With newfound...

(This entire section contains 1262 words.)

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clarity, Hiroshi goes home, resolving to be more present for his family. A package from his childhood friend, now a renowned author, solidifies that the journey was more than a mere dream. It contains a book, "A Distant Neighborhood," echoing his transformative experience.

Characters

• Hiroshi Nakahara is a middle-aged father seeking an escape from familial burdens, who comes to appreciate his responsibilities through an unexpected journey to his past.

• Yoshio Nakahara, Hiroshi's father, personifies the pursuit of personal freedom at the cost of familial ties, marrying Kazue out of duty before leaving in search of self-discovery.

• Kazue Nakahara bears the weight of familial obligations, facing the fallout of Yoshio's choices and her own role in their dynamics, ultimately passing away at forty-eight.

• Kyoko Nakahara, Hiroshi's spirited sister, transitions from youthful dreams to a contented family life, echoing themes of change and continuity.

• Grandma serves as a keeper of family history, sharing insights with Hiroshi that illuminate past connections and choices.

• Yuko, Hiroshi's patient wife, and their daughters, Akiko and Ayako, represent the complexities of modern family life and the challenges of communication and understanding.

• Tomoko Nagase is a symbol of youthful affection and the potential for change, forming a bond with Hiroshi during his journey.

• Daisuke Shimada and Takashi Hamada, Hiroshi's childhood friends, evolve into successful creative figures, reflecting the diverse paths life can take.

• Masao Harada, another childhood friend, tragically dies young, underscoring life's unpredictability.

• Shinichi Kotani and Tamiko Osawa represent the entwined fates and choices that shape the narrative's familial tapestry.

Artistic Style

Taniguchi's illustrations are renowned for their meticulous realism, offering a vivid backdrop to the narrative's exploration of time and memory. The settings are richly detailed, from the cluttered work table in Hiroshi's childhood home to the intricate textures of everyday objects. This attention to detail grounds the story in authenticity, contrasting with the simplicity of character designs. Faces and bodies are rendered with restraint, avoiding the exaggerated features typical of many manga styles. The structured panel layout, rarely interrupted, emphasizes clarity and focus, with full-page panels spotlighting key moments such as Hiroshi's temporal shift.

Themes

The manga intertwines traditional Japanese aesthetics with themes of transformation and the passage of time. Hiroshi's journey reflects yugen, a concept of mystery and ambiguity, as his transformation is shrouded in enigma, symbolized by the butterfly and the moon. These motifs suggest metamorphosis and the cyclical nature of life and death. Taniguchi's work also embraces mono no aware, the pathos of things, through Hiroshi's appreciation for fleeting beauty and profound emotional connections. The theme of mujo, impermanence, underscores the narrative, highlighting the ephemeral nature of joy and relationships. Themes of obligation, freedom, and familial bonds resonate throughout, questioning the balance between personal desires and responsibilities.

Impact

Jiro Taniguchi's contributions to the "nouvelle manga" movement reflect a fusion of Japanese and European storytelling sensibilities, expanding the global reach of manga. A Distant Neighborhood exemplifies this cross-cultural exchange, celebrated for its narrative depth and artistic finesse. While deeply rooted in Japanese cultural aesthetics, the work offers universal insights into family and personal identity, resonating with diverse audiences. Despite its Japanese core, the story's themes of nostalgia and reflection transcend cultural boundaries, engaging readers worldwide. Some critics misunderstood its traditional elements as sentimentality, yet its sincerity and insight have earned widespread acclaim.

Films

Quartier lointain. Directed by Sam Garbarski. Entre Chien et Loup, 2010. This adaptation relocates the story from Japan to Europe, altering the protagonist's age and other narrative aspects. Despite these changes, the film retains the core themes of the original work, with Taniguchi making a cameo appearance.

Bibliography

Taniguchi, Jiro. “Taniguchi Jiro.” In Manga: Masters of the Art, edited by Timothy Lehmann. Scranton, Pa.: Collins Design, 2005.
Vollmar, Rob. “Frédéric Boilet and the Nouvelle Manga Revolution.” World Literature Today 81, no. 2 (March/April, 2007): 34-41.