Words of Devotion - Keiko Konno

Words can hurt, and words can praise; we all know this, but additionally, most cultures around the world have a belief that said in a certain manner, words also have power. Whether imbued with emotion or additional unsaid meaning, uttering ordinary words can alter reality and change the course of events. In the West, we might consider that idea one of spell casting, but in Japan, it is known as "kotodama". Kotodama is not merely spell casting ...
...that sometimes NOT uttering the words can lead to great regret. Such is the power of words: this is kotodama. This is the very quandary that our two protagonists find themselves in.

Tachibana and Otani have been friends for a very long time, and were inseparable during high school. Upon graduation, they confessed their love to each other and moved in together. But this is Japan, and while boy's love manga may be popular, homosexuality ... more

Words can hurt, and words can praise; we all know this, but additionally, most cultures around the world have a belief that said in a certain manner, words also have power. Whether imbued with emotion or additional unsaid meaning, uttering ordinary words can alter reality and change the course of events. In the West, we might consider that idea one of spell casting, but in Japan, it is known as "kotodama". Kotodama is not merely spell casting though, as it has far reaching spiritual applications there and features in martial arts and various Shinto practices. Thinking on the power of words, and knowing that just as saying some things may alter courses of events, we in the West probably also realise that sometimes NOT uttering the words can lead to great regret. Such is the power of words: this is kotodama. This is the very quandary that our two protagonists find themselves in.

Tachibana and Otani have been friends for a very long time, and were inseparable during high school. Upon graduation, they confessed their love to each other and moved in together. But this is Japan, and while boy's love manga may be popular, homosexuality is still coming out of that proverbial closet in real life Japan, so the boys proceed with uncertainty and caution. To others, Tachibana and Otani are the still inseparable best friends: always socialising together, and sharing a flat. Societal mores mean it is fairly easy to avoid having friends and acquaintances come inside your home or drop by unannounced, so no one is even the wiser that the flat the two share is a tiny studio type place with only a single bed in it. It may sound like they have it all worked out, right? Graduated from school, moved out from the folks, living the newlywed life without being disturbed...you might think so, but as our two young men find out, they would be wrong.

All too soon, their footsteps begin to falter. The cause? An old high school classmate and a female one at that. Yuki has always liked Tachibana, and running into him one evening she thinks she has gotten lucky. One thing leads to another, with Yuki suspicious of what is going on, and wanting Tachibana for herself. Misunderstandings ensue, and all for the lack of communication. All too soon Tachibana and Otani discover it is not enough to simply feel, one must speak the words of devotion, and they must be clearly heard and understood by all so that none may stand against it. But is it too late? Was there something unresolved lingering between Yuki and Tachibana? Is this a mere infatuation with Otani? Only the ai no kotodama (words of devotion) can alter this course...

Truly, this is one of those stories about true love that transcends it genre. The fact that it is two young men in love and discovering how to deal with their culturally unconventional affections for each other adds to the angst, but makes it all the sweeter as we watch them work towards resolution. Wonderfully, the third wheel in this story is not a stock character. She is a thoughtful, warm, and affectionate girl who also seeks to express herself to the one she has special feelings for, and while one feels the rightness of the two protagonists being together; you also cannot help but feel sorrow for her. The art reflects the great poignancy wonderfully, and the scene where she is left standing alone at the bridge is one that still haunts. Indeed, the art really helps make this story. The facial expressions are exceptionally well drawn, and the backgrounds serve almost as sets for the characters to act out their parts as the scenes are fully realised in pen and ink.

Being boy's love manga (graphic novel), and yaoi (beyond mere suggestions) at that, yes, the mature rating on the book cover is apt. This is a book I actually had to sign for to prove an adult took delivery! Before you can say smut though, I can tell you that while there are some sexually charged scenes, there is no actual sex. Yes, you read that right. Tachibana and Otani have not gone that far yet, and as they are still exploring what it means to love one another, they are still also working "that" out as well. So we get some kissing and heavy petting, and a little hand action, but that is it. In fact, there is not that much of it; the sex is not the focus of this story, the actual love is and this is just one area they have to try to settle within themselves and with each other. If you have not read a book in this genre before, this might be the one to start with as there is nothing to make your eyes (or nose) bleed in shock. Indeed, the sex scenes are extremely mild when compared to recent cinematic offerings such as Brokeback Mountain. And for those who like cinematic offerings, this manga volume was actually made into a film. A real film, with live actors, and not an anime, as unusual as that may seem. It is available for watching with subtitles over on trusty Veoh.com, so if still unsure of the matter, you can go have a sneak peek of what the book is like. It is an excellent adaptation, though as with most book to film offerings, there are differences with missing scenes and such, so if you do watch the film and enjoy it, please do not think it is a substitute for the book. The book itself is a wonderful work of art, with drawings that breathe life into the words on the page that in turn make changes within emotions of the reader. Now that is kotodama.

 

...less