---
product_id: 8717197
title: "Showa 1944-1953: A History of Japan (Showa: A History of Japan, 3)"
price: "11843CFA"
currency: XOF
in_stock: false
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.sn/products/8717197-showa-1944-1953-a-history-of-japan-showa-a-history
store_origin: SN
region: Senegal
---

# Showa 1944-1953: A History of Japan (Showa: A History of Japan, 3)

**Price:** 11843CFA
**Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Showa 1944-1953: A History of Japan (Showa: A History of Japan, 3)
- **How much does it cost?** 11843CFA with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Currently out of stock
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sn](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/8717197-showa-1944-1953-a-history-of-japan-showa-a-history)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

A sweeping yet intimate portrait of the legacy of World War II in Japan Showa 1944–1953: A History of Japan continues the award-winning author Shigeru Mizuki's autobiographical and historical account of the Showa period in Japan. This volume recounts the events of the final years of the Pacific War, and the consequences of the war's devastation for Mizuki and the Japanese populace at large. After the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor, Japan and the United States are officially at war. The two rival navies engage in a deadly game of feint and thrust, waging a series of microwars across the tiny Pacific islands. From Guadalcanal to Okinawa, Japan slowly loses ground. Finally, the United States unleashes the deathblow with a new and terrible weapon―the atomic bomb. The fallout from the bombs is beyond imagining. On another front, Showa 1944–1953 traces Mizuki's own life story across history's sweeping changes during this period, charting the impact of the war's end on his life choices. After losing his arm during the brutal fighting, Mizuki struggles to decide where to go: whether to remain on the island as an honored friend of the local Tolai people or return to the rubble of Japan and take up his dream of becoming a cartoonist. Showa 1944–1953 is a searing condemnation of the personal toll of war from one of Japan's most famous cartoonists.

Review: An Epic Masterpiece! - I first learned about Shigeru Mizuki when I got a sample of this series on free comic book day. This is part of a series of four large graphic novels that give an excellent overview of Japanese history during the Showa period. The books combine the overview of Japanese history with autobiographical information from the author's perspective. There is an emphasis in the series on events surrounding World War II and the author's experience as a Japanese soldier during that time. Illustrations are a mix of highly realistic and cartoonish styles. This is the kind of story that teaches while drawing you in to one man's personal story. Lots of drama, humor, sadness, etc. This story really makes you think about what leads us to war and the effects of nationalism on real people.
Review: The Empire of Japan falls and manga begins to rise in the third volume of Shigeru Mizuki's magnum opus... - The second volume of Shigeru Mizuki's amazing biographical historical magnum opus, "Showâ," ended on a mandible plummeting cliff hanger. The third volume picks up where that tense moment left off and continues the incredible tale of both Japan under the rule of the Emperor Hirohito and Mizkui's personal involvement in that era. The story shifts from omnisciently narrated history, led by the now very familiar Nezumi Otoko, to a singular microcosm of the age told through Mizuki himself. A flood of information fills the pages, especially for those unfamiliar with 20th century Japanese history, but the juxtaposition of history and biography works perfectly. Nezumi Otoko helps weave the two parallel but related stories into one harmonious union. The epic's entirety, encased in 4 enormous volumes, creates an unforgettable portrait of the twentieth century from a Japanese perspective. Much of this often horrifying story has faded into legend or even into oblivion for succeeding generations. World War II still stands as one of the bloodiest and most destructive wars the planet has ever seen. Japan played a large and ultimately tragic role in that massive conflict and "Showâ" presents a point of view not often seen in the West. Mizuki never glamorizes fascist Japan. He often rebukes to the point of disgust, confusion and aggravation. As many Mizuki fans know, it cost him an arm and almost took his life on multiple occasions. Only outstanding luck seemed to see him through. Volume three of "Showâ" covers the years from 1944 to 1953. These years span the end of the Second World War and the ensuing American Occupation of Japan under Douglas MacArthur. These represent probably the most turbulent and disturbing times for modern Japan. An empire fell and its people suffered horribly under its oppressive laws and ethos. Thankfully things started to take a turn for the better as the 1950s dawned. From this incomprehensible chaos the modern state of Japan emerged. The book opens with "The Tragedy of Imphal." Many consider the decisive Battle of Midway as the war's most pivotal turning point. "Showâ" argues that the failures at Imphal, a city in Burma, proved even more decisive and irreversible. Midway left the Japanese Empire badly maimed, but Imphal apparently stuck a near final blow. After Imphal, things became shockingly desperate. Nezumi Otoko even says "In pursuit of personal honor, Japan's commanders neglect supply lines and wantonly waste soldiers' and civilians' lives." Things will only get worse. Meanwhile, Mizuki finds himself literally hanging from a cliff to escape detection. Then he has to outmaneuver natives and escape into the jungle to avoid capture. He claims that a yokai kept him from falling over a cliff. Eventually he runs right into the navy and face angry questions about why he survived Baien. According to his "superiors," he should have faced a "noble death" and died fighting, no matter how hopelessly. This theme returns more ominously as Japan's costly war losses mount in the Pacific. The beatings, so frequent in Volume Two, continue unabated. Then malaria strikes, but the Japanese Army does not consider this an excuse for loafing. Rabaul, Truk Island, New Britain, the Marshall Islands, Palau, all witness humiliating defeats for Japan. Things just get worse for the soldiers, but Mizuki gets a surprise and much welcome service award for drawing his commander Hanafuda cards. War also continued with China, called the second Sino-Japanese war. Japan also starts losing to the Chinese Communist Army. The American B-29 then flies into service. General Tôjô initiates a policy of no retreat, no surrender. A-go and Saipan continue the losing streak. A bewildering and deeply disturbing massacre through mass suicide occurs in Saipan. America soon gains superiority in nearly every battle technology. Talk of "noble deaths" for soldiers escalates. Tôjô fumes "I'd rather see the death of the entire country than admit the smallest defeat." Things look pretty hopeless. The bombings begin and never let up. Okinawa, Taiwan and Yawate receive showers of bombs, some with napalm. MacArthur returns to Leyte as promised. Under increasing pressure, the infamous Kamikaze missions begin. Excessive rationing grips Japan and some people face starvation. Japan makes more missteps in Leyte Gulf. Allies appear everywhere. Mizuki narrowly escapes death as his squad takes massive fire while he fetches water, only to escape it again thanks to a commander who doesn't believe in dying a "noble death." The war in Europe closes as the Nazis fall and the Allied leaders meet in Yalta and plan to end the war in the Pacific. Iwo Jima sees fierce combat and Japan launches balloon bombs on California. Six people die. Back in the Pacific, a pathetically desperate plan to ram the battleship Yamato into the US fleet fails before it starts. The bombings continue over Japan. To prevent fires, houses, including Mizuki's parents' house, are leveled. At Marunga, Mizuki again succumbs to malaria. He loses his arm during an attack by Australian forces. It forms a gruesome infection, maggots and all. Commanders who allow their soldiers to live receive orders to commit suicide. Many continue to march out to "noble deaths." Nonetheless, Tôjô will not admit defeat to the Emperor, who makes another rare appearance. Mizuki, drained from malaria and infection, comes across the Tolai people. They take him in as one of their own, call him "Paul," and feed and nurse him. The allies, after meeting at Potsdam, begin a full-scale invasion of Japan, beginning at Kyûshu. Then the atomic bombs drop on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Russia invades Japan from the north. Japanese leaders argue over what to do, but few want to surrender until the Emperor intervenes and calls for an end to the war and to "bear the unbearable." A phonograph recording of his formal classical Japanese speech pervades the airwaves, but apparently few can really understand it, though they comprehend the basic message. On the battleship Missouri, Japan finally surrenders on November 2, 1945. The American occupation begins under MacArthur and GHQ. A simple photo of him next to the Emperor, stripped of his divinity, lets everyone know where things now stand. Mizuki almost stays with "The People of the Forest," but after a wait he does return home to post-war Japan. The Emperor tours Japan to great adulation while the Class-A war criminals go on trial. Many hang, including Tôjô. Nezumi Otoko reflects that "the winning country gets to detemine what is and isn't a war crime." A new Constitution gets drafted. The Zaibatsu are dissolved. Ideas of democracy spread even though school books contain numerous redactions. Mizuki tries to make various livings through various means, but prices skyrocket. Two of Nezumi Ototko's friends, Baba and Jiji, help delineate the situation. A long sad string of US soldiers raping Japanese women begins. Prostitution, private not public, remains legal. Mizuki needs surgery on the remains of his lost arm. He finds himself with a ragtag group occupying abandoned buildings and guarding baskets. The world reforms following World War II. A cold war breaks out between the US and USSR. Korea breaks in two and the Korean War begins in 1950. Mizuki goes back to school after surprisingly cashing in on one of his business ventures. He ends up drawing Kamishibai, a precursor to manga. GHQ breaks unions and stops worker strikes. A number of suspicious incidents occur. On a constant quest to raise money, Mizuki follows a business partner with the goal of harvesting bird poop from Bourbon island. Mizuki earns the title "lice boy" along the way. Instead, he buys an inn and puts up Kamishibai artists. One proudly proclaims "took my first crap in ten days!" and then sets Mizuki up to see Katsumaru Suzuki, a Kamishibai master. He gives Mizuki the name the world now knows him by, Mizuki. He also asks Mizuki to put up Koji Kata the greatest Kamishibai artist in Japan. Nezumi Otoko muses "Shigeru Mizuki has a strange sense that his life has changed forever." Japan's global pride slowly revives thanks to Olympic swimmer Hironoshin Furuhashi and Nobel Laureate Hideki Yukawa. But storm clouds loom when loan shark Akitsugu Yamazaki commits suicide. Again, Nezumi Otoko: "Capitalism can be heartless and severe - a lesson Japan learns well." Following a shooting, Mizuki learns that he lived next to a gang. He moves to Nishinomiya as the heyday of Kamishibai fades. GHQ begins rooting out communists as the Korean war rages. US uses Japan as a base for military operations which causes an economic boom throughout Japan. MacArthur loses his command when his forces fail to take Seoul. Japan begins to modernize and Kamishibai's audiences have dwindled, but at the end of Volume three Mizuki's famous Kitaro and Sanpei the Kappa characters begin to make an impact. Kata tells Mizuki about the new comic book craze in Tokyo. So, still meandering, he boards a train for Tokyo. Volume Three reaches a climax with the end of World War II and the grim violence relaxes somewhat despite the turmoil of the occupation. The story turns more to Mizuki's aimless life and eventual destiny as one of Japan's most renowned manga artists. So far circumstance and luck have provided guidance. But his fortunes seem to improve along with his country's. As economic growth intensifies, Mizuki will find himself at the apex of the burgeoning comic book scene. Luck, along with some yokai, helped him survive the catastrophe of World War II. Luck, along with talent and wads of perseverance, will now likely provide him with more opportunities. The final volume covers the end of the Showâ era from 1953 up to the death of Hirohito. Those were also very interesting years for Japan.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #2,777,773 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #19 in Nonfiction Manga (Books) #32 in Drawn & Quarterly Comic & Graphic Novels |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 198 Reviews |

## Images

![Showa 1944-1953: A History of Japan (Showa: A History of Japan, 3) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814b-Pl0bbL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Epic Masterpiece!
*by P***L on August 25, 2015*

I first learned about Shigeru Mizuki when I got a sample of this series on free comic book day. This is part of a series of four large graphic novels that give an excellent overview of Japanese history during the Showa period. The books combine the overview of Japanese history with autobiographical information from the author's perspective. There is an emphasis in the series on events surrounding World War II and the author's experience as a Japanese soldier during that time. Illustrations are a mix of highly realistic and cartoonish styles. This is the kind of story that teaches while drawing you in to one man's personal story. Lots of drama, humor, sadness, etc. This story really makes you think about what leads us to war and the effects of nationalism on real people.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Empire of Japan falls and manga begins to rise in the third volume of Shigeru Mizuki's magnum opus...
*by E***K on March 20, 2016*

The second volume of Shigeru Mizuki's amazing biographical historical magnum opus, "Showâ," ended on a mandible plummeting cliff hanger. The third volume picks up where that tense moment left off and continues the incredible tale of both Japan under the rule of the Emperor Hirohito and Mizkui's personal involvement in that era. The story shifts from omnisciently narrated history, led by the now very familiar Nezumi Otoko, to a singular microcosm of the age told through Mizuki himself. A flood of information fills the pages, especially for those unfamiliar with 20th century Japanese history, but the juxtaposition of history and biography works perfectly. Nezumi Otoko helps weave the two parallel but related stories into one harmonious union. The epic's entirety, encased in 4 enormous volumes, creates an unforgettable portrait of the twentieth century from a Japanese perspective. Much of this often horrifying story has faded into legend or even into oblivion for succeeding generations. World War II still stands as one of the bloodiest and most destructive wars the planet has ever seen. Japan played a large and ultimately tragic role in that massive conflict and "Showâ" presents a point of view not often seen in the West. Mizuki never glamorizes fascist Japan. He often rebukes to the point of disgust, confusion and aggravation. As many Mizuki fans know, it cost him an arm and almost took his life on multiple occasions. Only outstanding luck seemed to see him through. Volume three of "Showâ" covers the years from 1944 to 1953. These years span the end of the Second World War and the ensuing American Occupation of Japan under Douglas MacArthur. These represent probably the most turbulent and disturbing times for modern Japan. An empire fell and its people suffered horribly under its oppressive laws and ethos. Thankfully things started to take a turn for the better as the 1950s dawned. From this incomprehensible chaos the modern state of Japan emerged. The book opens with "The Tragedy of Imphal." Many consider the decisive Battle of Midway as the war's most pivotal turning point. "Showâ" argues that the failures at Imphal, a city in Burma, proved even more decisive and irreversible. Midway left the Japanese Empire badly maimed, but Imphal apparently stuck a near final blow. After Imphal, things became shockingly desperate. Nezumi Otoko even says "In pursuit of personal honor, Japan's commanders neglect supply lines and wantonly waste soldiers' and civilians' lives." Things will only get worse. Meanwhile, Mizuki finds himself literally hanging from a cliff to escape detection. Then he has to outmaneuver natives and escape into the jungle to avoid capture. He claims that a yokai kept him from falling over a cliff. Eventually he runs right into the navy and face angry questions about why he survived Baien. According to his "superiors," he should have faced a "noble death" and died fighting, no matter how hopelessly. This theme returns more ominously as Japan's costly war losses mount in the Pacific. The beatings, so frequent in Volume Two, continue unabated. Then malaria strikes, but the Japanese Army does not consider this an excuse for loafing. Rabaul, Truk Island, New Britain, the Marshall Islands, Palau, all witness humiliating defeats for Japan. Things just get worse for the soldiers, but Mizuki gets a surprise and much welcome service award for drawing his commander Hanafuda cards. War also continued with China, called the second Sino-Japanese war. Japan also starts losing to the Chinese Communist Army. The American B-29 then flies into service. General Tôjô initiates a policy of no retreat, no surrender. A-go and Saipan continue the losing streak. A bewildering and deeply disturbing massacre through mass suicide occurs in Saipan. America soon gains superiority in nearly every battle technology. Talk of "noble deaths" for soldiers escalates. Tôjô fumes "I'd rather see the death of the entire country than admit the smallest defeat." Things look pretty hopeless. The bombings begin and never let up. Okinawa, Taiwan and Yawate receive showers of bombs, some with napalm. MacArthur returns to Leyte as promised. Under increasing pressure, the infamous Kamikaze missions begin. Excessive rationing grips Japan and some people face starvation. Japan makes more missteps in Leyte Gulf. Allies appear everywhere. Mizuki narrowly escapes death as his squad takes massive fire while he fetches water, only to escape it again thanks to a commander who doesn't believe in dying a "noble death." The war in Europe closes as the Nazis fall and the Allied leaders meet in Yalta and plan to end the war in the Pacific. Iwo Jima sees fierce combat and Japan launches balloon bombs on California. Six people die. Back in the Pacific, a pathetically desperate plan to ram the battleship Yamato into the US fleet fails before it starts. The bombings continue over Japan. To prevent fires, houses, including Mizuki's parents' house, are leveled. At Marunga, Mizuki again succumbs to malaria. He loses his arm during an attack by Australian forces. It forms a gruesome infection, maggots and all. Commanders who allow their soldiers to live receive orders to commit suicide. Many continue to march out to "noble deaths." Nonetheless, Tôjô will not admit defeat to the Emperor, who makes another rare appearance. Mizuki, drained from malaria and infection, comes across the Tolai people. They take him in as one of their own, call him "Paul," and feed and nurse him. The allies, after meeting at Potsdam, begin a full-scale invasion of Japan, beginning at Kyûshu. Then the atomic bombs drop on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Russia invades Japan from the north. Japanese leaders argue over what to do, but few want to surrender until the Emperor intervenes and calls for an end to the war and to "bear the unbearable." A phonograph recording of his formal classical Japanese speech pervades the airwaves, but apparently few can really understand it, though they comprehend the basic message. On the battleship Missouri, Japan finally surrenders on November 2, 1945. The American occupation begins under MacArthur and GHQ. A simple photo of him next to the Emperor, stripped of his divinity, lets everyone know where things now stand. Mizuki almost stays with "The People of the Forest," but after a wait he does return home to post-war Japan. The Emperor tours Japan to great adulation while the Class-A war criminals go on trial. Many hang, including Tôjô. Nezumi Otoko reflects that "the winning country gets to detemine what is and isn't a war crime." A new Constitution gets drafted. The Zaibatsu are dissolved. Ideas of democracy spread even though school books contain numerous redactions. Mizuki tries to make various livings through various means, but prices skyrocket. Two of Nezumi Ototko's friends, Baba and Jiji, help delineate the situation. A long sad string of US soldiers raping Japanese women begins. Prostitution, private not public, remains legal. Mizuki needs surgery on the remains of his lost arm. He finds himself with a ragtag group occupying abandoned buildings and guarding baskets. The world reforms following World War II. A cold war breaks out between the US and USSR. Korea breaks in two and the Korean War begins in 1950. Mizuki goes back to school after surprisingly cashing in on one of his business ventures. He ends up drawing Kamishibai, a precursor to manga. GHQ breaks unions and stops worker strikes. A number of suspicious incidents occur. On a constant quest to raise money, Mizuki follows a business partner with the goal of harvesting bird poop from Bourbon island. Mizuki earns the title "lice boy" along the way. Instead, he buys an inn and puts up Kamishibai artists. One proudly proclaims "took my first crap in ten days!" and then sets Mizuki up to see Katsumaru Suzuki, a Kamishibai master. He gives Mizuki the name the world now knows him by, Mizuki. He also asks Mizuki to put up Koji Kata the greatest Kamishibai artist in Japan. Nezumi Otoko muses "Shigeru Mizuki has a strange sense that his life has changed forever." Japan's global pride slowly revives thanks to Olympic swimmer Hironoshin Furuhashi and Nobel Laureate Hideki Yukawa. But storm clouds loom when loan shark Akitsugu Yamazaki commits suicide. Again, Nezumi Otoko: "Capitalism can be heartless and severe - a lesson Japan learns well." Following a shooting, Mizuki learns that he lived next to a gang. He moves to Nishinomiya as the heyday of Kamishibai fades. GHQ begins rooting out communists as the Korean war rages. US uses Japan as a base for military operations which causes an economic boom throughout Japan. MacArthur loses his command when his forces fail to take Seoul. Japan begins to modernize and Kamishibai's audiences have dwindled, but at the end of Volume three Mizuki's famous Kitaro and Sanpei the Kappa characters begin to make an impact. Kata tells Mizuki about the new comic book craze in Tokyo. So, still meandering, he boards a train for Tokyo. Volume Three reaches a climax with the end of World War II and the grim violence relaxes somewhat despite the turmoil of the occupation. The story turns more to Mizuki's aimless life and eventual destiny as one of Japan's most renowned manga artists. So far circumstance and luck have provided guidance. But his fortunes seem to improve along with his country's. As economic growth intensifies, Mizuki will find himself at the apex of the burgeoning comic book scene. Luck, along with some yokai, helped him survive the catastrophe of World War II. Luck, along with talent and wads of perseverance, will now likely provide him with more opportunities. The final volume covers the end of the Showâ era from 1953 up to the death of Hirohito. Those were also very interesting years for Japan.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A personal history worth telling
*by P***F on February 2, 2015*

I devoured this manga, as I have with the other two preceding volumes. And while you could fault the somewhat one-damned-fact-after-another approach he takes to relaying the main events of the war, the artwork traced from photos somehow both dates and brings the book alive; it's like a scrapbook of key events, but only the ones he remembers as having much significance. But he really excels in telling his own remarkable story of survival against the evils of malaria, starvation and Japanese military discipline. That he emerged from the jungles with his humanity in tact is a remarkable feat and one worth celebrating. Read this.

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.sn/products/8717197-showa-1944-1953-a-history-of-japan-showa-a-history](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/8717197-showa-1944-1953-a-history-of-japan-showa-a-history)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Senegal*
*Store origin: SN*
*Last updated: 2026-10-05*