Tengoku

Tengoku is a Manga originally published in the mining basin of Chikuho, a region on the island of Kyushu. The stories take place in this area, where the harsh realities of mining life are a constant struggle. The protagonists, miners who toil in the depths of the earth, are driven by their dreams of a brighter future, where they can bask in the warmth of the sun. Instead, they are forced to settle for the meager comfort of the moon's pale light. Despite the universal nature of their plight, these characters are not unique to the mines of Chikuho; similar stories of hardship and longing can be found in mining regions around the world, from Lorraine to Silesia, and from England to the depths of the earth.