Former home of manga titans exhibits Tezuka's early works

A number of items are displayed at a special exhibition of Osamu Tezuka works at Tokiwaso Manga Museum in Toshima Ward, Tokyo. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

An exhibition centered around the works of manga pioneer Osamu Tezuka is underway at Tokiwaso Manga Museum, the now-defunct apartment building-cum-museum in Toshima Ward, Tokyo, where the artist once lived.

Titled, "Tokiwaso to Tezuka Osamu -- Jungle Taitei no koro" (Tokiwaso and Osamu Tezuka -- The era of the Jungle Emperor), the exhibition is scheduled to run through Aug. 9.

From 1953 to October 1954, a number of famous manga artists, including Tezuka, were tenants of the apartment building. During his time there, he drew such well-known works as "Jungle Taitei" (The Jungle Emperor, or Kimba the White Lion) "Ribbon no Kishi" (Princess Knight) and "Tetsuwan Atom" (Mighty Atom), or "Astro Boy" as it's better known outside of Japan.

Manga artist Fujiko Fujio Ⓐ looks over the manuscripts from the final chapter of Osamu Tezuka's "Jungle Taitei," for which he acted as an assistant background artist. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Pages from those works' original manuscripts are on display, as well as other manuscripts and illustrations that tell the tale of how Tezuka made his way to Tokyo from the Kansai region and other stories from his life featuring other famed manga artists, including Shotaro Ishinomori and Fujio Akatsuka, who also called that same apartment building home.

Of the approximately 80 items on exhibit, some autograph manuscripts are being shown to the public for the first time, according to Tezuka Productions, the conservator company for his work.

Manga artist Fujiko Fujio Ⓐ took Tezuka's place in the building at the latter's suggestion because he was moving out.

"I wouldn't have become a manga artist had it not been for Mr. Tezuka," Fujiko said at a press conference for the exhibition on April 6. "Tokiwaso was an apartment building that had a huge impact on our lives. I hope the media will make it known the world over."

Fujiko also recalled an occasion he helped Tezuka finish some background pictures in the final chapter of the "Jungle Taitei." He said that Tezuka would immerse himself in his work so heavily in those days that he seemed to consider sleep and meals to be wastes of time.

The exhibition was originally scheduled to open in January but was postponed because of the coronavirus crisis.

The museum is closed Mondays or Tuesdays if Monday should fall on a national holiday.

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