Mosman’s Principality of Wy is so well-known it has its own character in one of Japan’s famous manga comics
THE self-declared Principality of Wy in Mosman, a small but royal ‘micronation’, has become an international cult celebrity via a character in a Japanese manga comic.
Mosman
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mosman. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Boy’s cardboard cutout travels the world
- TV home up for rent
- Court decision leaves merger drive in limbo
- Military Rd to become ‘hostile environment’
IN A comic twist to the self-declared Principality of Wy in Mosman, the small but royal nation has become an international cult celebrity.
And it’s put Mosman on the map — even if it’s called Moshiman.
It all started in 2004 when Mosman artist and resident Paul Delprat attempted to secede from Mosman in a dispute with Mosman Council over his driveway.
He declared his Mosman property the Principality of Wy. As the Prince of Wy, Delprat continues to make the occasional royal appearance or edict.
Somehow, he says, the “micronation” of Wy caught the imagination of manga comic book creators.
Now the Principality of Wy straddles the world stage in the international world of Japanese manga comics.
“An article in the Washington Post named the Principality of Wy as one of the top three micronations in the world,” said Prince Paul.
The Principality of Wy has also spurned a comic character of the same name — a young girl inspired by Delprat’s daughters.
“She has the blessing of the Moshiman Council and is fighting off the advances of a young man from Sealand,’’ said Prince Paul.
“She is feisty character wielding a paintbrush and having adventures.”
Sealand is an unrecognised “micronation” that claims Roughs Tower, an offshore platform located in the North Sea off the coast of Suffolk in England.
The world in the manga comics is ruled by the Axis Powers who are often based on the major nations of the world.
“I think the comics are wonderful,’’ said Prince Paul.
He believes his principality’s appeal and the inspiration for its inclusion in the comics lies in the principality’s avowed philosophy of “making art not war”.
“We believe that all fights between nations should be fought out with paintbrushes and canvases, with art competitions between all the great nations,’’ said Prince Paul.
He said that while the Principality of Wy had not been legally recognised, Mosman Council had some years ago ceremoniously accepted a document citing “a unilateral declaration of independence.”
“With the possibility of amalgamation, the Principality of Wy might outlive Mosman Municipality,’’ said Prince Paul.
He said the principality was laid-back.
“Sometimes I have to act as equerry and put out the garbage,’’ he said.
His royal highness continues to receive a flood of emails from manga fans curious about the Principality of Wy which has its own website and Wikepedia entry.
FACT FILE
● The principality seceded from Mosman Council on November 15, 2004
● It covers approximately 700sq m and its embassy is situated at Georges Heights
● A character in the manga series Hetalia: Axis Powers is named after the principality
‘Little purple patch’: Aussie SailGP crew dodge drama as storm looms
Record penalties, flying starts, close calls and cheeky moves - day one of the Sydney SailGP had it all and more. including one very happy Australian team.
‘It’s scary’: Speed race has SailGP guns on edge
SailGP gun Kyle Langford has given an insight into the wet, wild and high risk speed chase that could see 100km/h broken on Sydney Harbour – and the fear and pain involved.