The manga "La Rose de Versailles," also known as "Berubara," (a Japanese short form of "Versailles rose") has been a fan favorite since the shojo manga (young girls' comic) was serialized in the magazine Shukan Margaret in 1972. The manga depicts fictional events based around historical characters such as Marie Antoinette and her secret lover, the Swedish aristocrat Hans Axel von Fersen, through the eyes of the manga's central character, Oscar Francois de Jarjayes.
The author, Riyoko Ikeda, was one of the so-called Hana no 24 nengumi (Magnificent 24s), a group of female manga artists all born in the same year — 1949.
For six days from Tuesday, an exhibition at the Mitsukoshi department store gallery in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district will explore this fantasy world. On display will be more than 300 original paintings by Ikeda, along with dolls of the story's main characters, an animated movie and 18th-century-style rococo costumes.
The exhibition runs from July 29 to Aug. 3 at the Mitsukoshi Special Gallery on the seventh floor of the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi department store near Mitsukoshi-mae Station (Ginza subway line) from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (On Aug. 3 the gallery will close at 6 p.m.) Admission is ¥800. Call (03) 3241-3311 for more information.
