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Japanese title
白姫抄
Manga-ka/Author
CLAMP
Genre
drama, romance, supernatural
Volumes: 1
Distributor: Tokyopop
Classification: 12
Rating
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Shirahime-syo is a collection of three short stories or tales, all bound
together by the same theme; the falling snow, and its connotations. There is
also an introductory and concluding story at the beginning and end of the novel.
It's late at night and the snow is falling. A man sees a lady standing out in
the snow, dressed in white. He begs her to return home, as the tears of the snow
princess are falling.
In Garo no Yama (On Wolf Mountain), a young girl leaves the safety
of her home to avenge the death of her father, killed on the mountain by a wolf;
and finds something there that she did not expect.
In Kori no Hana (The Ice Flower), two young lovers separate, and
the young man promises to return to her. The young lady, Kaya, promises to wait
for him forever by the shores of the lake.
In Hiyoku no Tori (The Happy Couple), a soldier wanders
away from the battle and becomes lost in the snow. His only thought is to find
again his beloved Yukino, and a chance encounter will decide his fate.
On the mountainside, the man learns the true nature of the snow.
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Shirahime-syo
(also known as The Snow Goddess Tales) is one of the most breathtakingly
beautiful manga I have ever seen; and also the most elegiac and melancholy. It
is a far cry from the lengthy and colourful series CLAMP is known for, in that
the artwork is delicate yet striking, and each of the stories in this
stand-alone volume are brief, tragic and yet extremely deep. They remind me very
much of the poetry of Japanese masters, and the art style is reminiscent of
Ukiyo-e.
A wonderful example of CLAMP's mastery.
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Manga
Shirahime-syo
has been published both in hardback and paperback, and while difficult to find,
is well worth it.
Anime
There is no
Shirahime-syo anime as of yet.
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