Society and Politics in Editorial Cartoons

Abstract

This essay investigates the “grammar of caricature” in newspaper cartoons. The author argues that newspaper cartoons are classified into two types, the political cartoon and the social caricature. The social caricature analysed is called “Shakai Gihyo”. The contents of the two types are analysed in terms of three perspectives; (a) subjects, (b) symbols, (c) ballons and captions. Politics in Japan and international relations are the subjects of the political cartoons while in “Shakai Gihyo” include economic subjects. It is further argued that “Shakai Gihyo” is “communication that cuts to the quick” in its simplicity of symbols.