InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Have I taught you nothing?"

mizuno_youko (mizuno_youko) wrote in scans_daily,
@ 2009-04-15 10:00:00

Entry tags:

genre: yuri, medium: manga

An unusual lesbian manga: Honey & Honey
Takeuchi Sachiko's Honey & Honey is an autobiographical manga. Though some of it is educational (intended to show people what Sachiko's life is like as a sexual minority in Japan, and clear up misconceptions), it's mostly funny stories about Sachiko and her friends.

The art is not for everyone, but I think it's cute and suits the style of the story. If you like Plica, you'll probably like this too.

Be sure to read right to left.

Character introductions (from the second volume):

The chapters are super-short, so I'm just going to post a few of my favorite funny (and touching) moments. See here for more.

Oh, and a terminology note: "bian" is a word that Japanese lesbians use to refer to themselves (and that others in the community use to refer to them). Think "'bian" if that's easier for you.

The perils of having a partner who likes stuffed animals as much as you do:

Some of the chapters have 4-panel shorts at the end. The humor is hit-or-miss with me, but I empathized with this one a bit:

Ah, gaydar.

A funny story about jealousy (start at the second panel):

A cute segment about some of the lighter issues they face:

Chapter 12, "Can't Tell Our Parents," is a favorite of mine. Especially the boxer scene (how sweet is that scene, huh?):

Poor Sachiko:

"Coming Out to Friends" (chapters 14-15) are favorites of mine too.
Sachiko tells her best friend about her first girlfriend:

Kai-kun runs into trouble when they're confirming his identity before an exam (the ID he gave them has a picture of him back before he started transitioning):

"Bian Friends" (chapter 16) is another great chapter.
Gay porn overshadows any other present, of course. Even crappy gay porn.

One of my favorite scenes from the manga:

Emily! (I kind of spoiled this one by showing the character intros first. Sorry.)

Sachiko and Masako went to buy matching rings together for Christmas. The saleslady was totally cool about it, but Masako was acting nervous. Sachiko didn't find out why until later:

That's it for my favorite moments from volume 1. I might do a post about volume 2 when we're done with it.

If you'd like to buy Honey & Honey in Japanese, the ISBNs are 4840115222 and 4840117918. Takeuchi also has a few other books out (in Japanese only):

Gogo no Harenchi Tea Time: Otoko wo Shiranai Sachiko & Hyakusen Renma Mai no Saikyou Ero Talk (Sachiko and Mai discuss various sex-related topics; ISBN: 479583573X)
Otoko ni Naritai! Watashi no Kareshi wa Moto Onna (picks up where Honey & Honey left off--watch out, there are spoilers for the end of Honey & Honey; ISBN: 4840123934)
Kusare Joshi (about fujoshi, yuri fans, and so on; it just came out, so I haven't read it yet, but it sounds really interesting, so we might do it after Honey & Honey; ISBN: 489308710X).

You can find more autobiographical manga like Honey & Honey at the Comic Essay website (Japanese-only, unfortunately).

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

	filbypott 2009-04-15 12:22 pm UTC (link)
	The use of the phrase "gender identity disorder" to describe transgendered folks bothers me - it's not a disorder any more than homosexuality is. :\| But on the whole, this looks like a very sweet comic with a lot of heart. I'd be interested in reading more of it. (Reply to this) (Thread)

stratosfyr
2009-04-15 02:20 pm UTC (link)

I don't know if they use the definition right here, but by definition GID is not being transgendered, it's being upset about being transgendered.

If they get a sex change, change their appearance, or whatever, and don't feel bad about it anymore, it's not a disorder anymore.

Quick diagnostic criteria grab from Wiki:
* Strong and persistent cross-gender identification [...]
* Persistent discomfort about one's assigned sex or a sense of inappropriateness in the gender-role of that sex
* The diagnosis is not made if the individual has a concurrent physical intersex condition [...]
* Clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

All four criteria must be met.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

mizuno_youko
2009-04-15 02:43 pm UTC (link)

From the glossary in the back of the book, Takeuchi seems to be using it for all transgendered people rather than just those who are unhappy with their current situation. I don't know if she was just over-simplifying it for the readers or if she generalized based on the few trans people she knew. It's also possible that that's the general belief in Japan, even among sexual minorities.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	shadeedge 2009-04-15 03:19 pm UTC (link)
	It might be the correct diagnostic criteria as primarily used in Japan - not everywhere uses the DSM. I'm pretty sure there's not much difference as far as ICD goes, but it could just be neither are the generally accepted system over there. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stratosfyr 2009-04-15 07:50 pm UTC (link)
	Yeah, it could be a mistranslation, a lack of research, a difference in diagnostic manuals, use of an old term, or something else. (The name "gender identity disorder" isn't quite descriptive.) (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	mizuno_youko 2009-04-15 07:54 pm UTC (link)
	It's not a mistranslation. That is the equivalent term for what's used in the original. Takeuchi even uses that English term herself when defining the Japanese term in the glossary. (Reply to this) (Parent)

shadeedge
2009-04-15 03:14 pm UTC (link)

I would have said it is more problematic to an extent - transgendered folks aren't in the body they should be, whereas gay folks are in the right body for them.

I think the better difference to draw is that some people would call it a problem of the mind (as in, their mind is fucked up and needs fixing), which is an unpleasant thought in my view too, while others would call it a problem of the body (the mind's fine, it just didn't get to be in the right container), which I would tend to go along with.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -