楳図かずお逝く

楳図かずお逝く。NYの日本人海外子女向けサマーキャンプCamp Furusatoの図書室で初めて氏の漫画本「怪」を見かけ、その装丁の恐ろしいイラストに震え上がり、図書室のカビ臭い匂いも手伝って完全にトラウマとなる。以後図書室には近付けなかったし、その延長で日本恐怖症にもなった。
数年後帰国し、80年代後半、吉祥寺駅南口界隈で、ママチャリに乗る氏をよくお見かけした。手を振ると、振り返してしてくれた。合掌。

Kazuo Umezu has passed away. I first came across his comic book "Kai" in the library of Camp Furusato, a summer camp for Japanese children abroad in New York City. The terrifying illustrations on the cover gave me chills, and the musty smell of the library made it a complete trauma for me. I couldn’t go near the library after that, and I even developed a fear of anything Japanese as a result.
Years later, I returned to Japan. In the late 80s, I often saw him riding his ‘mommy’ bicycle around Kichijoji Station south exit. Whenever I waved, he would wave back. Rest in peace.

#楳図かずお #おろち