The Queen's Flower [vol. 01] | Summary

The Queen's Flower

女王の花

joou no hana
by Izumi Kaneyoshi

Volume 01

Summary

My wish is to live without being hit as a slave. So take me by the hand. And in return, my life is yours. - Hakusei

Chapter 1

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, a Review

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

by Lisa See

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In Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Lisa See takes us on a journey back to a captivating era of Chinese history and delves into one of the most mysterious of human relationships: female friendship.

In nineteenth-century China, in a remote Hunan county, a girl named Lily, at the tender age of seven, is paired with a laotong, an “old same,” in an emotional match that will last a lifetime. The laotong, Snow Flower, introduces herself by sending Lily a silk fan on which she has written a poem in nu shu, a unique language that Chinese women created in order to communicate in secret, away from the influence of men. As the years pass, Lily and Snow Flower send messages on the fan and compose stories on handkerchiefs, reaching out of isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. Together they endure the agony of footbinding and reflect upon their arranged marriages, their loneliness, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood. The two find solace in their friendship, developing a bond that keeps their spirits alive. But when a misunderstanding arises, their relationship suddenly threatens to tear apart.

The Strange Library, a Review

The Strange Library 

by Haruki Murakami

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From internationally acclaimed author Haruki Murakami—a fantastical illustrated short novel about a boy imprisoned in a nightmarish library.

Opening the flaps on this unique little book, readers will find themselves immersed in the strange world of best-selling Haruki Murakami's wild imagination.

The story of a lonely boy, a mysterious girl, and a tormented sheep man plotting their escape from a nightmarish library, the book is like nothing else Murakami has written.

Designed by Chip Kidd and fully illustrated, in full color, throughout, this small format, 96 page volume is a treat for book lovers of all ages.

(Source: Goodreads)

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Magic Kaitou 1412 [04] A Great Detective Steps Into The Light

Lasted for 23 minutes 49 seconds, the show starts by introducing a young, blond detective with catchphrase: “The truth will always come to light”.

Hakuba Saguru

             Kaitou spies on the police, intending to steal the painting, Adam’s Smile but was caught by surprise when Aoko suddenly shows up saying he’s the culprit. Aoko then laughed at the boy, telling him about a famous foreign detective from London. They were apparently at an ice skating rink next to the museum Kaitou intend to steal from. He was then taken back to a conversation with Jii regarding a hidden jewel behind the abstract painting Adam’s Smile. 

Magic Kaitou 1412 [03] Hustler vs. Magician

Lasted for 23 minutes and 49 seconds, the episode told the story of a young Jii and emphasizes Kaitou’s real skill.

Jii Kounosuke Husling Days

           Kaitou and Aoko were lounging off at Blue Parrot, Jii’s pool bar establishment. While both display their inability to hustle the pool, a customer of Jii got irritated. Jii stopped the customer from making a ruckus thus was belittled for having a lame establishment, then declared that he was going to the famous American Pool Bar down the street with the Legendary Cue instead. The cue once belonged to Jii but he lost it in a match with the mentioned bar owner’s own billiard player. 

Kingdom [06] Path to Great General

Lasted for 25 mins, the show explained the events that happen to while Ying Zheng escape.

Piao leading Bi's troop to safety

          Xin was angry thinking that everyone arounf him was glad of Ying Zheng’s life but none paid attention to Piao’s death. Minister Chang Wenjun then claimed that Piao wasn’t the only death but there were many more soldiers that joined him. Such were the case with war, he added. Still unable to control his emotion, Xin charged at the minister only to be knocked down by fellow army, Bi. When Xin woke up, he and Diao both saw how badly conditioned were all the other soldiers, but despite that, all of them were pleased that Ying Zheng survived. 

Magic Kaito 1412 [02] Blue Birthday

Lasted for 23 mins and 49 seconds, the show reveals the motive behind Kuroba Toichi’s murder.

Kid inspect Blue Birthday under the moonlight

          Kid tricked the Inspector Nakamori and his forces yet again, and successfully stole another jewel. On his way home, the boastful young Kaito received anonymous call from the public phone. The caller mistaken Kaitou’s identity with Kid of the previous generation. He warned Kaitou not to go after gemstones anymore and threaten Kaitou’s life. Kaitou then visited Jii in the bar the old man ran to consult him about the matter but the old man was clueless. Jii then proceeded in showing Kaitou the props he gathered for Kid’s next show. He claimed to get them from a professor acquaintance. 

Magic Kaito 1412 [01] Kid the Phantom Thief Returns

Latsted for 23 minutes, the show introduces the man behind the guise of Kid the Phantom Thief.

Child Kaitou with his late father, Kuroba Toichi

          The show starts with a mysterious white dressed person, taking an expensive looking jewel. His lower half was invisible and although guards were chasing after him, he manages to escape into the night. The next day, in a certain middle school, two girls were chatting about the stolen jewel. One of them admired the cool demeanour of the jewel thief. They were then interrupted by a boy named Kaitou, who is close to one of the girls, Nakamori Aoko. Kaitou then tricked Aoko, stole a look at her underpants, therefore inciting an argument between the two. Their teacher, demanded their attention in class by throwing sudden mathematic problem. The two answered effortlessly and resume their argument. Aoko then condemn Kaitou’s petty tricks and compare him with the jewel thief, Kaitou Kid. Upset at his tricks belittled, Kaitou then blatant his intention to challenge the thief to a showdown. He left the class right after. 

The Tale of Princess Kaguya, a Review

The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Kaguya-hime no Monogatari

[a review]

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The Tale of Princess Kaguya is a 137 minutes long animation produced by Ghibli Studio. The director, Isao Takahata co-wrote the screenplay together with Riko Sakaguchi. The responsible producer of the animation is Yoshiaki Nishimura. Ghibli Studio loyal composer Joe Hisaishi handled the music arrangement while cinematography was under the care of Keisuke Nakamura. The animation was released on the 23rd November 2013 (Japan).

The Tale of Princess Kaguya, a Summary

The animation was based on famous Japanese folklore, the tale of the bamboo cutter. 

Birth of Princess Kaguya

          It describes the life of a woman named Princess Kaguya who was born from the shoot of a bamboo tree, raised by the bamboo cutter and his wife with generous love. When the bamboo cutter was blessed with fortune mysteriously taken from more bamboo trees to care for the bamboo child, he was certain that her happiness lies not in the rural but by living like princess of a noble house. Therefore, the bamboo cutter spent the fortunes to build himself and Princess Kaguya's name in the city to the point where every man in the city would fight for her hand, no matter the cost.