The Children's Literature Council of Southern California publishes a 12 page newsletter three time a year named The Sampler.
The Summer 2006 edition (just out) focuses on graphic novels. It features a three page interview with me.
We'll post it somewhere in the Dojo later this week.
THE SAMPLER, SUMMER 2006
Moderators: Mayhem, Steve Hubbell, Moderators
-
Steve Hubbell
- Taisho
- Posts: 6050
- Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2002 15:25 -0700
- Location: Kalamazoo, MI
INTERVIEW WITH STAN SAKAI
by MICHAEL JARA (THE SAMPLER, SUMMER 2006)
(OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE CHILDREN’S LITURATURE COUNCIL OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA)
Stan Sakai was born in Kyoto, Japan in 1953. At the age of two, his family moved to Hawaii where they lived for the next 22 years. He went to the University of Hawaii where he received his B.A. and attended the Art Center College and Design in Pasadena, California. He is a cartoonist and letterer. His most recognized work is Usagi Yojimbo (rabbit bodyguard). Stan has won numerous awards including three Eisner Awards and the National Cartoonists Society Comic Book Division Award. Usagi Yojimbo was first published in 1984 and is now available in 12 different languages. The 20th graphic novel is due out in July 2006 from Dark Horse Comics. Stan currently resides in Pasadena, California.
MICHAEL JARA: Did you draw as a child?
STAN SAKAI: I used to draw in each class in elementary school with this other guy. I took my first art class in high school.
MICHAEL JARA: What did you like to draw back then?
STAN SAKAI: I loved to draw (and still do) dinosaurs. There is just something so fascinating about them, especially to kids. In high school, it was the first time I actually had to be disciplined. I had assignments to complete, rather than being able to draw whatever I liked.
MICHAEL JARA: I read that your parents threw out your comics? Were they supportive of your interest in comics?
STAN SAKAI: Back in the l950’s comics were not seen as children’s literature. They were considered to be a seduction of the innocent. Many believed that children reading comics lead to creating bad juvenile delinquents. As far as my comics, my parents said they got thrown out when we moved. Growing up, drawing was a hobby. Growing up with Asian parents, I was told to take business classes and to go on that career Path. But after my first book signing in Hawaii, my dad changed his mind.
MICHAEL JARA: What did you enjoy most about reading comic books when you were growing up? Does that feeling influence your work at all?
STAN SAKAI: I enjoy the fantasy world that is created and getting lost in the adventure. Today kids have videogames that do that for them. I try to make Usagi as literate as possible. I also want to teach as accurately as possible, so I do my research.
MICHAEL JARA: Who are you favorite classic comic book writers and artists?
STAN SAKAI: During the time of my child hood, the story and characters were the main attraction. For me I enjoyed Marvel Comics, I remember buying Fantastic Four #2 off the rack for 10 cents. I read Marvel for a while because DC was selling books for 12 cents. From DC I would read Superman. I was a fan of Steve Ditko and Stan Lee. Through my work I have been able to meet my heroes. Stan Lee still does the comic strip Spider-man for newspapers and I do the lettering. I have also got to meet Jack Kirby and the artists from Mad Magazine.
MICHAEL JARA: Who are your favorite current artists and writers?
STAN SAKAI: Jeff Smith (Bone), Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, League of Extraordinary Gentleman, Watchmen), Sergio Aragones (Groo), and several independent artists.
MICHAEL JARA: How did you get the idea for your infamous samurai rabbit?
STAN SAKAI: I grew up reading superheroes. But at one point I really got into the Japanese culture. I’m third generation Japanese, for one thing. But I really wanted to do a series, a historical series, based upon a samurai who lived at the turn of the seventeenth century named Miyamoto Musashi. Basically, one day I just drew a rabbit, tied up his ears to make a samurai top-knot, and fell in love with the design. Instead of Miyamoto Musashi, he became Miyamoto Usagi (usagi means rabbit). From then on, I just stayed with the rabbit!
MICHAEL JARA: Do your readers / fans ever say that they have learned about Japanese culture from your comics?
STAN SAKAI: Yes and in fact people write to suggest topics and references. They also write to let me know if there is inaccuracy in the historical part of the story. I just recently researched a tea ceremony called, Chanoyu. I was even invited to Seattle by a teacher to take part in the tea ceremony.
MICHAEL JARA: Tell me about the process you go through when developing a storyline and then illustrating it?
STAN SAKAI: First there is the idea. Usagi was created from my sketchbook. There are several ways I get new ideas. I get some from reading or seeing something on television. Then there are times when I consciously come up with something. After the idea I will outline the story, then sketch pages into panels. I finalize the script, finish the composition, and then I do the original artwork. Once the artwork is done, I pencil, letter, and ink the drawings, and send it to the publisher. I do not need approval from my current publisher Dark Horse Comics. So what I send in gets published. There is no interference in whatever I send. I have this freedom that most creators do not get.
MICHAEL JARA: What are some of the challenges you face in writing or illustrating?
STAN SAKAI: Trying to think of an idea every day or every month. My traveling definitely cuts into my deadline, but I am thankful for my great editor, Diana Schultz.
MICHAEL JARA: Where do you think comics are going right now? Do you think they have an impact with readers and young people?
STAN SAKAI: I think there is great diversity in comics more than ever. At one point there were no comics for younger children, but now they have Owly, Bone, and Maus. Usagi is appropriate for all ages starting from age 7 and up. I would like to see libraries and book stores replace television and games in children’s lives because they can be so seductive. Books and comics are a participatory activity. Comics are a great way to get kids interested in reading. When I have talked at libraries I give out comics to kids. I enjoy their response when they tell me that it is the first comic they have owned.
MICHAEL JARA: Which awards have been your favorites to receive?
STAN SAKAI: All of my awards are special, but the ones that are most meaningful are the American Library Association (ALA) award for Usagi Yojimbo Book 12: Grasscutter, and the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) Comic Book Division Award. The ALA award is special because it is a mainstream award and hopefully will make people outside of the comics community aware of my work. The NCS because it is voted on by my peers, not just working in comics but from all areas of cartooning—comic strips, illustration, animation, children’s books, etc.
MICHAEL JARA: You have also received a number of international awards. What country was the most unexpected to receive an award from?
STAN SAKAI: My first international award was the Haxtur Award (Premios Haxtur) from Spain. Even more surprising was when I was nominated for an award in Poland. I did not win that one, but I had not even heard of any Polish awards.
MICHAEL JARA: Do you have any advice to share with aspiring comic book artist or writers?
STAN SAKAI: For artists I would say there are two pieces of advice:
1) Carry a sketchbook around everywhere and draw from life. Don’t just draw comics. Take a basic art class that will cover composition and perspective.
2) Show your work to ever body: friends, teachers, artists, and publishers. You need to get feedback in order to know your strong and weak points. You need to continually share your work in order to get recognized. For writers I would say you need to be a good reader and you need to read everything that interests you in order to get more life experience.
MICHAEL JARA: Thanks for speaking with me.
Michael Jara is the Reference Librarian at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Two questions:
In regards to the Polska comic award nomination, do you recall the name of the award and what year the nomination was?
Concerning Usagi Yojimbo being translated into twelve languages so far: Spanish, French, Dutch, German, Swedish, Polish, Czech, Croatian, Italian, (Brazillian) Portuguese, Hungarian (just released), and one or possibly two more?) Is there really an Indonesian translation?
by MICHAEL JARA (THE SAMPLER, SUMMER 2006)
(OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE CHILDREN’S LITURATURE COUNCIL OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA)
Stan Sakai was born in Kyoto, Japan in 1953. At the age of two, his family moved to Hawaii where they lived for the next 22 years. He went to the University of Hawaii where he received his B.A. and attended the Art Center College and Design in Pasadena, California. He is a cartoonist and letterer. His most recognized work is Usagi Yojimbo (rabbit bodyguard). Stan has won numerous awards including three Eisner Awards and the National Cartoonists Society Comic Book Division Award. Usagi Yojimbo was first published in 1984 and is now available in 12 different languages. The 20th graphic novel is due out in July 2006 from Dark Horse Comics. Stan currently resides in Pasadena, California.
MICHAEL JARA: Did you draw as a child?
STAN SAKAI: I used to draw in each class in elementary school with this other guy. I took my first art class in high school.
MICHAEL JARA: What did you like to draw back then?
STAN SAKAI: I loved to draw (and still do) dinosaurs. There is just something so fascinating about them, especially to kids. In high school, it was the first time I actually had to be disciplined. I had assignments to complete, rather than being able to draw whatever I liked.
MICHAEL JARA: I read that your parents threw out your comics? Were they supportive of your interest in comics?
STAN SAKAI: Back in the l950’s comics were not seen as children’s literature. They were considered to be a seduction of the innocent. Many believed that children reading comics lead to creating bad juvenile delinquents. As far as my comics, my parents said they got thrown out when we moved. Growing up, drawing was a hobby. Growing up with Asian parents, I was told to take business classes and to go on that career Path. But after my first book signing in Hawaii, my dad changed his mind.
MICHAEL JARA: What did you enjoy most about reading comic books when you were growing up? Does that feeling influence your work at all?
STAN SAKAI: I enjoy the fantasy world that is created and getting lost in the adventure. Today kids have videogames that do that for them. I try to make Usagi as literate as possible. I also want to teach as accurately as possible, so I do my research.
MICHAEL JARA: Who are you favorite classic comic book writers and artists?
STAN SAKAI: During the time of my child hood, the story and characters were the main attraction. For me I enjoyed Marvel Comics, I remember buying Fantastic Four #2 off the rack for 10 cents. I read Marvel for a while because DC was selling books for 12 cents. From DC I would read Superman. I was a fan of Steve Ditko and Stan Lee. Through my work I have been able to meet my heroes. Stan Lee still does the comic strip Spider-man for newspapers and I do the lettering. I have also got to meet Jack Kirby and the artists from Mad Magazine.
MICHAEL JARA: Who are your favorite current artists and writers?
STAN SAKAI: Jeff Smith (Bone), Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, League of Extraordinary Gentleman, Watchmen), Sergio Aragones (Groo), and several independent artists.
MICHAEL JARA: How did you get the idea for your infamous samurai rabbit?
STAN SAKAI: I grew up reading superheroes. But at one point I really got into the Japanese culture. I’m third generation Japanese, for one thing. But I really wanted to do a series, a historical series, based upon a samurai who lived at the turn of the seventeenth century named Miyamoto Musashi. Basically, one day I just drew a rabbit, tied up his ears to make a samurai top-knot, and fell in love with the design. Instead of Miyamoto Musashi, he became Miyamoto Usagi (usagi means rabbit). From then on, I just stayed with the rabbit!
MICHAEL JARA: Do your readers / fans ever say that they have learned about Japanese culture from your comics?
STAN SAKAI: Yes and in fact people write to suggest topics and references. They also write to let me know if there is inaccuracy in the historical part of the story. I just recently researched a tea ceremony called, Chanoyu. I was even invited to Seattle by a teacher to take part in the tea ceremony.
MICHAEL JARA: Tell me about the process you go through when developing a storyline and then illustrating it?
STAN SAKAI: First there is the idea. Usagi was created from my sketchbook. There are several ways I get new ideas. I get some from reading or seeing something on television. Then there are times when I consciously come up with something. After the idea I will outline the story, then sketch pages into panels. I finalize the script, finish the composition, and then I do the original artwork. Once the artwork is done, I pencil, letter, and ink the drawings, and send it to the publisher. I do not need approval from my current publisher Dark Horse Comics. So what I send in gets published. There is no interference in whatever I send. I have this freedom that most creators do not get.
MICHAEL JARA: What are some of the challenges you face in writing or illustrating?
STAN SAKAI: Trying to think of an idea every day or every month. My traveling definitely cuts into my deadline, but I am thankful for my great editor, Diana Schultz.
MICHAEL JARA: Where do you think comics are going right now? Do you think they have an impact with readers and young people?
STAN SAKAI: I think there is great diversity in comics more than ever. At one point there were no comics for younger children, but now they have Owly, Bone, and Maus. Usagi is appropriate for all ages starting from age 7 and up. I would like to see libraries and book stores replace television and games in children’s lives because they can be so seductive. Books and comics are a participatory activity. Comics are a great way to get kids interested in reading. When I have talked at libraries I give out comics to kids. I enjoy their response when they tell me that it is the first comic they have owned.
MICHAEL JARA: Which awards have been your favorites to receive?
STAN SAKAI: All of my awards are special, but the ones that are most meaningful are the American Library Association (ALA) award for Usagi Yojimbo Book 12: Grasscutter, and the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) Comic Book Division Award. The ALA award is special because it is a mainstream award and hopefully will make people outside of the comics community aware of my work. The NCS because it is voted on by my peers, not just working in comics but from all areas of cartooning—comic strips, illustration, animation, children’s books, etc.
MICHAEL JARA: You have also received a number of international awards. What country was the most unexpected to receive an award from?
STAN SAKAI: My first international award was the Haxtur Award (Premios Haxtur) from Spain. Even more surprising was when I was nominated for an award in Poland. I did not win that one, but I had not even heard of any Polish awards.
MICHAEL JARA: Do you have any advice to share with aspiring comic book artist or writers?
STAN SAKAI: For artists I would say there are two pieces of advice:
1) Carry a sketchbook around everywhere and draw from life. Don’t just draw comics. Take a basic art class that will cover composition and perspective.
2) Show your work to ever body: friends, teachers, artists, and publishers. You need to get feedback in order to know your strong and weak points. You need to continually share your work in order to get recognized. For writers I would say you need to be a good reader and you need to read everything that interests you in order to get more life experience.
MICHAEL JARA: Thanks for speaking with me.
Michael Jara is the Reference Librarian at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Two questions:
In regards to the Polska comic award nomination, do you recall the name of the award and what year the nomination was?
Concerning Usagi Yojimbo being translated into twelve languages so far: Spanish, French, Dutch, German, Swedish, Polish, Czech, Croatian, Italian, (Brazillian) Portuguese, Hungarian (just released), and one or possibly two more?) Is there really an Indonesian translation?
-
Stan Sakai
- Sensei
- Posts: 4896
- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2002 12:21 -0700
I don't remember the name of the Polish award. I wasn't even able to pronounce it when I was there. It was given at the Miedzynarodowy Festiwal Komiksu in Lodz, Poland, in October, 2004. Neil Gaiman got it. I was there as a guest of my two Polish Pubishers, Egmont Polska and Mandragora.Steve Hubbell wrote: Two questions:
In regards to the Polska comic award nomination, do you recall the name of the award and what year the nomination was?
Concerning Usagi Yojimbo being translated into twelve languages so far: Spanish, French, Dutch, German, Swedish, Polish, Czech, Croatian, Italian, (Brazillian) Portuguese, Hungarian (just released), and one or possibly two more?) Is there really an Indonesian translation?
The licensing contract for the Indonesian edition was signed awhile ago, and an advance paid. I have not seen copies of the book, so do not know if it has been published.
-
Steve Hubbell
- Taisho
- Posts: 6050
- Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2002 15:25 -0700
- Location: Kalamazoo, MI
I could not find a name for the awar, but I did find some information on it:Stan Sakai wrote:I don't remember the name of the Polish award. I wasn't even able to pronounce it when I was there. It was given at the Miedzynarodowy Festiwal Komiksu in Lodz, Poland, in October, 2004. Neil Gaiman got it. I was there as a guest of my two Polish Pubishers, Egmont Polska and Mandragora.Steve Hubbell wrote: Two questions:
In regards to the Polska comic award nomination, do you recall the name of the award and what year the nomination was?
Najlepsza seria komiksowa zagraniczna (Best Foreign Comic Series)
134 "Sandman"
111 "Usagi Yojimbo"
108 "Kaznodzieja"
72 "Miasto Grzechu"
70 "100 naboi"
64 "Ultimate X-Men"
54 "Strażnicy"
46 "Calvin i Hobbes"
24 "Corto Maltese"
21 "Trzeci Testament"
Najlepszy scenarzysta zagraniczny (Best Foreign Script Writer)
184 Neil Gaiman
168 Alan Moore
94 Frank Miller
71 Stan Sakai
47 Garth Ennis
41 Brian Azzarello
29 Bill Watterson
16 Mark Millar
15 Joann Sfar
Najlepszy rysownik zagraniczny (Best Foreign Designer / Artist)
179 Mike Mignola
134 Frank Miller
113 Enki Bilal
62 Stan Sakai
39 Eduardo Risso
38 Sam Keith
38 Hugo Pratt
31 Kevin O'Neill
29 Juanjo Guarnido
9 Joann Sfar
14 Eric