"message"
This book's title is a masterpiece. I remember being so excited when I saw the title on the spine of the books lined up on the library bookshelf as a student. It was simply "文字" (literal translation). Supervised by Ishikawa Kyuyo, this book was the first time I learned of his existence.
This content is primarily based on lectures and discussions by prominent figures from diverse fields, including character researchers, calligraphers, designers, critics, ancient history scholars, and art historians. It explores the role of writing in key terms such as culture, civilization, religion, nation, society, nature, language, and humanity. Beyond the present, it delves into a wide range of themes, transcending time, region, and field, including language from the preliterate era, the relationship between early writing and language, and the role of writing in shaping language.
The author describes this book as a magazine, but in terms of content and structure, it has the character of a single volume with each section being independent.
In the next introduction, I will introduce Mr. Ishikawa a little more.