One of the best ways to learn a language is to have a hobby related to that language that spurs one on to study. Go is such a pastime. The game has aspects that demand intense focus. So players who want to learn Japanese can combine their love of go into the quest to master […]
From Kidō, November 1975 Edo Town Go Club Written and drawn by Tani Ikuo Working man: Ah! I still didn’t put it down yet! Not yet! Old man: No! You put it down! Working man: Damn it… I was just thinking should I play there or not play there, you know… FX: Rattle (“Jara” is […]
From Kidō, May 1975 Edo Town Go Club Written and drawn by Tani Ikuo Sounds of laughter: Ha! Ha! Ha! ~Snort!~ Hee! Hee! Hee! Nyuk! Nyuk! Nyuk! Nyuk! Working man: Huh? Huh? Surrounding thaaat kind of place… My, my, my~ What kind of guy is this~ [In the dialogue balloon the working man speaks in […]
From Kidō, June 1975 Edo Town Go Club Written and drawn by Tani Ikuo Courtesan: Is it you, sir, who have selected me~~~? [The language she uses is the formal and flowery kind common in historical dramas, such as “wachiki” for “me” rather than “watakushi,” “watashi” or even “atashi,” which is a word that women […]
From Kidō, February 1975 Edo Town Go Club Written and drawn by Tani Ikuo Special New Year’s Page, Part 1 Man: Stupid idiot! You still ain’t ’memberin’?! Still!! I told you there’s a missing cross-stroke, didn’t I?! A cross-stroke!! Son: Ouch! [The child is trying to write: 新春 or “New Spring,” the traditional way that […]
From Kidō, September 1975 Edo Town Go Club Written and drawn by Tani Ikuo Festival participants carrying the mikoshi portable shrine: Wasshoi, wasshoi (Hup, hup, hup) Crowd: Wow! Boorish kid: Oooh! It’s the festival! It’s the festival! Boorish kid: Shoot! (i.e., a similar curse word) It’s the festival! It’s the festival! Boorish kid: Oooh! Here […]
From Kidō, October 1975 Edo Town Go Club Written and drawn by Tani Ikuo Old man: Hey, hey, how about a game? Working man: Nah. The typhoon is getting close and… Working man: …I have to go back home and lock up the storm windows or else… Old man: It’s aaall right, I tell you. […]
From Kidō, March 1977 Edo Town Go Club Written and drawn by Tani Ikuo Thief: Damn. There’s nothing good anywhere at all, is there? In this house… [This low class speech, but not particularly vulgar. “Chi-” in the text is only translated as “Damn” to indicate the level of disappointment.] Thief: They couldn’t miss getting […]
From Kidō, January 1975 Edo Town Go Club Written and drawn by Tani Ikuo Man in striped robe: Everybod—-y! [The end of the word is drawn out to indicate that the man is trying to attract attention.] Did you hear? Aaah?! [The man’s words here and as he goes on to speak, are typical of […]