TOKYO: Prominent Japanese manga artist Sanpei Shirato, known for works featuring ninjas such as “Kamui Den” (Kamui) and “Sasuke,” died on Oct. 8, it was learned Tuesday. He was 89.

Shirato, whose real name was Noboru Okamoto, died of aspiration pneumonia in a Tokyo hospital.

Shirato debuted as a manga artist in 1957 with “Kogarashi Kenshi,” after producing “kamishibai” picture card shows.

Two years later, he began publishing the “Ninja Bugeicho Kagemaruden,” a historical drama depicting conflicts between feudal warlords and peasants. The manga, which features a ninja protagonist, was later turned into a movie.

From 1964, Shirato began the Kamui Den series, which deals with discrimination and power. The manga, along with the spinoff series “Kamui Gaiden” (The Legend of Kamui), became his most important work.

Shirato also produced hit manga books aimed at young audiences, winning an award for children’s manga by publishing giant Kodansha Ltd. in 1963.

JIJI Press