Do these kanji frighten you? After all, they overlap considerably. You could render おそれる (to fear) with all four characters, and people often use 恐 and 怖 interchangeably to convey myriad fears (e.g., of business risks). But this bundle makes important distinctions. You'll see that 恐 connects to respect (e.g., for Nature's power), politeness, financial crises, and uncertainty about the future. The essay on 怖 explores uniquely Japanese phobias. Meanwhile, 虞 expresses concern and caution in the face of threats. And 惧 mainly relates to endangered entities (species, occupations, or railways) and the fear of extinction.

This bundle provides a solid introduction to manga, especially essay 1838, with its definitions of "manga" and related vocabulary, a manga history, a list of manga genres, and explanations of the symbols used in these cartoons. Essay 1238 supplies essential context about the history of amusement in Japan, including a manga magazine. Essay 2113 discusses the sudden rise of the manga and anime subcultures in the 1970s, which led to classic works inspired by Osamu Tezuka, who started the so-called manga revolution. And essay 1630 showcases Shigeru Mizuki's epic manga about World War II, with translations of four panels.

Japanese calligraphy reflects the state of an artist's mind, spirit, and body. In one novel, a character studies her father's brushstrokes to assess his health. Applying ink to paper is soulful; one leaves behind traces of oneself that way. As essay 1821 shows, Zen has influenced sumi-e (ink paintings). That essay examines calligraphy and sumi-e from all angles, as do the other essays to some degree, including the way to liquefy inksticks (a meditative practice), the red marks with which teachers correct calligraphy, the vermilion stamps that serve as calligraphers' signatures, and the significance of bold strokes versus diluted ones.

This bundle is a masterclass in the artistic mindset. Essay 1290 celebrates vibrant colors, whether for painting with watercolors or oil or for designing spaces. Essay 1388 explores traditional craftsmanship, particularly highlighting the beauty of Japanese carpentry and the rigors of apprenticing for ages to master a skill. Essay 1590 covers several fields, from carving wood, making sculptures, and engraving metal to creating traditional tattoos that form a complete picture over much of the body. Essay 2065 extols the virtues of extreme detail, especially in doing elaborate drawings that bring dreamworlds to life with extraordinary realism.