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SAKURAN - The Yoshiwara Harlot by *carrie-ko:iconcarrie-ko:

Categories Fan Art > Manga/Anime > Traditional > Miscellaneous

©2009-2010 *carrie-ko
:iconcarrie-ko:

Artist's Comments

*handtwitch* It's finally done! Yes! Now I can sleep peacefully, not hearing its siren call of "Finish meeee!" emanating from within my desk.

This is Kiyoha, the protagonist of Anno Moyoko's incredible manga, "Sakuran". The story is essentially about Kiyoha's life growing up and working as an Oiran courtesan in Old Edo's Yoshiawara red light district. Kiyoha is sort of a punky rebellious exception to her co-workers, and the story follows her attempts to escape the district, her worn-down acceptance of her job, and finally, her realization that she can be free despite what the world has done to her. Kiyoha is brash and moody, and I love her to bits.

The film version of Sakuran is sort of the proper ending to the manga, which hasn't been completed yet, is incredible, too. Ninagawa Mika directed it, and it shines with color. If you can find a DVD rip online, watch it! Shiina Ringo does the music! It's great! *foamsatmouth*

BTW, the strange little bald kid combing Kiyoha's hair is Shigeji, her Kamuro entourage. Kamuro eventually became Oiran themselves, but all start out as helpers.

Pencil (lineart), watercolor, gouache on watercolor paper.

Kiyoha, Shigeji, Sakuran © Anno Moyoko
Art © Caroline C.

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love 2 2 joy 0 0 wow 0 0 mad 0 0 sad 0 0 fear 0 0 neutral 0 0
:iconcarrie-ko:
*carrie-ko Jun 30, 2009, 5:32:33 PM
I have the movie in avi format. If I somehow figure out to use one of those upload sites, I could upload it for you if you'd like. :D
:iconcarrie-ko:
*carrie-ko Jun 30, 2009, 5:36:10 PM
Thanks! :D
If you'd like, I can try uploading my copy of the movie onto an file-upload site for you. How's that? :)
:iconkyrn:
=kyrn Jun 30, 2009, 5:54:02 PM
Thanks, but I think I actually have it on a disk around here that someone gave me :) I just prefer to be able to watch on tv.

--
prints @meredithdillman.com
:iconfuyou-hime:
~Fuyou-hime Jun 30, 2009, 6:15:12 PM
Well then, I actually think it's a bit of shame that she's making a part two, seeing as how she put a lot of depth into the ending for Sakuran. The idea was to show how little control they yujo had over their lives no matter how beautiful that life may be, the golden cage that kills them, and by giving her that unusual escape with Seiji in the movie, it sort or worked against the ambiguity that was so careful cultivated in the manga... As for the Oni, I took it mean that she saw him for who he really was, a cruel man who had used her and dumped her. He was the 'Smiling Demon' she had thought she had known and loved.

The reason I though Shegeji combing Kiyoha's hair was odd was because it looked as if she was styling Kiyoha's hair, which was something only professionals could do. I guess it would have made more sense if all of Kiyoha's hair was down, instead of having most of it up and full of pins... but that's really a minor thing. I like the idea behind it :).

--
Ichigo Ichie
One time, one meeting
:iconcacodaemonia:
=Cacodaemonia Jun 30, 2009, 7:06:34 PM
Wow, I can tell that this took some serious effort! Well worth it, though. The variety of patterns and colors is really lovely, and they work well together. The smoke and the sun/lion/thing in the background are beautiful.

One thing I noticed that keeps leading my eye off the page is the trailing end of her kimono on the left. It's a nit-picky detail, but something to keep in mind in the future. :)

--
Paper Nautilus
ConceptArt.org Sketchbook

If you want to live an interesting life, you're going to spend half of it being terrified.
-Mary Hollinshead
:iconcarrie-ko:
*carrie-ko Jun 30, 2009, 7:09:25 PM
Those are good points you have there. For me, the movie ending with Kiyoha and Seiji's escape made me think back to the end of The Colo Purple,. That film's protagonist, Celie, went through an awful life, but realized that she could still find happiness through her own will in the end. I felt as happy for Kiyoha as I did watching Celie. I loved the manga's ending and that of the movie both in their own way. :)

And another good point about Shigeji. Now that you mention it, Shigeji wouldn't have much skill in those teensy little hands, would she? XD
:iconfuyou-hime:
~Fuyou-hime Jun 30, 2009, 7:16:43 PM
The movie does have a nice, feel-good ending and I did enjoy it. It was very uplifting. In the end though, I enjoyed the mystery of the manga ending more. It was up to the reader to decide if Kiyoha beat the odds or met the same fate as the others. What I enjoy most about the movie is the new take on an old classic, with the jazzy atmosphere and colors within a historical classic. I think that's what really makes the movie :).

It took a lot of skill to style an Oiran's hair, and a lot of professional stylists made their living in the pleasure quarters. Shigeji combing Kiyoha's hair is accurate, but styling it wouldn't be. Still, I liked the idea you were trying to convey of Kiyoha picking on Shigeji :).

--
Ichigo Ichie
One time, one meeting
:iconcarrie-ko:
*carrie-ko Jun 30, 2009, 8:33:33 PM
Thanks so much! :hug:

Geez, you're right. I'll try to keep those sorts of details in check next time. :) Thanks!
:iconreikairose61:
~ReikaiRose61 Jul 1, 2009, 9:03:30 AM
So beautiful! keep up the gook work as always!! :D

--
A life with love with have some thorns, but a life without love will have no roses. :rose:

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June 30, 2009
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