Beautiful Manhole Covers: "The Rose of Versailles"

Japanese manhole covers often feature intricate and artistic designs that reflect local culture, history, and landmarks. Many municipalities in Japan install unique manhole covers. The ones below are some of the manhole covers in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture. This city is where Riyoko Ikeda grew up [1]. She is a Japanese manga artist and singer who published the manga series "The Rose of Versailles". It's set in the period leading up to and during the French Revolution, and it intricately intertwines the lives of its main characters: Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France, and Oscar François de Jarjayes, a woman raised as a man to serve in the royal guard. The manga explores themes of gender, class struggle, and historical events, blending romance, drama, and political intrigue. It's praised for its detailed artwork and compelling storytelling, making it a classic in the world of shojo (girls) manga. The manhole covers are so beautiful that passersby might avoid st...