This collection may seem bleak. The essays spotlight withering plants, rotting trees, and entire nations in decline. The bundle focuses on losing physical abilities and dying of old age. And the 萎 essay touches on dampened hopes and sagging spirits. But the most-common 朽 word characterizes artworks as enduring. And 枯 can mean "to mature," applying to both people and technology. As that essay shows, the Japanese have an odd affection for dead trees, also using 枯 in fun proverbs. Finally, the study of 衰 reflects that yes, decline occurs, but so does prosperity; vicissitudes are inevitable parts of life.

Here one finds all aspects of humble language: a detailed exploration of that linguistic concept (in the 謙 essay), self-deprecating pronouns, humble prefixes, and ways of putting down one's work or one's company. Two of the four kanji join forces in a noun for "modesty; humility" and constitute alternate renderings of へりくだる (to deprecate oneself and praise the listener). Although 遜 means "humble, inferior," aligning with the other three kanji, the Japanese typically negate that humility with 不, ending up with arrogance, which takes this bundle in an unexpected direction.