How did you get into calligraphy?

(historical) paddy administered directly by a ruler: "I didn't consciously start doing this, but if I had to say, I would say that I used to write the titles on my original drawings. At the time, it was customary for the editor in charge to write the title, but I didn't like it. The reason why I didn't like it was because it was calligraphy writing. It didn't have the right atmosphere. So, when I painted the piece "The Sword Master," I decided to take the plunge and write it myself. I took a paintbrush and tried to write more than 100 pieces, but I couldn't come up with a character that I liked. In the meantime, I thought, "Oh! I see, I can balance calligraphy in this way," and I began to get the hang of it. I guess that's how I got into calligraphy.

When you write, is there anything you pay attention to?

(historical) paddy administered directly by a ruler: "Calligraphy is a living thing . Therefore, I think it is necessary to write a typeface that is appropriate for the work and its usage. For this reason, I studied various ancient documents and manuscripts. Writing alone is not enough. It is also important to learn by seeing.

What is the difference between drawing a comic book and writing a book? What do you think is the difference?

(historical) paddy administered directly by a rulerHe said, "Painting and calligraphy are the same. For those who see a painting and feel something when they look at it, what kind of pattern should I draw and how should I express it? . It is the same with calligraphy. If I were to venture to point out a difference, it would be the time it takes to create the work. However, calligraphy can be written in a single sitting, and it uses a lot of energy. If I am painting a picture, such as a play, it can take me a whole day. . In the case of calligraphy, if you spend a whole day on it, your writing will become dull. . So in the case of calligraphy, you have to concentrate your mind and explode, pouring all your energy into the letters. I guess that's the big difference."

. Could you tell us about your experience writing the title of "Akira"?

(historical) paddy administered directly by a ruler: "I was contacted by the editor-in-chief of Kodansha's Weekly Young Magazine at the time, and I wrote about 20 pages on imitation paper with a brush. The hard part was to bridge the gap between what Mr. Otomo thought and what I was particular about. Even if I was unwilling to accept the finished text, if the client said it was OK, it would be OK. I remember how difficult it was to strike a balance between the two. The editor-in-chief seemed satisfied with the finished product, and I heard later that Mr. Otomo was also pleased, so I was relieved to know that the task was complete. Well, it's nice to hear that he is pleased in that way.

When you wrote the words "NEXUSⅦ.", were there any difficulties?

(historical) paddy administered directly by a ruler: "Writing letters is a constant struggle (laughs). (Laughs.) There is no part of the process that was not difficult. For example, if the "ne" in "nexus" was good, the "k" was not good. Even if each letter is good, if the whole is not good, it is hard to say. It is a constant process of trial and error, and that is what makes it so deep and interesting.

What were the main points you focused on?

(historical) paddy administered directly by a ruler: "It's the balance of the whole. If the balance is bad, this is still no good. The same goes for drawing a person. Even if the face is well drawn, the body may be too small or too large, the arms too thick or too thin, etc. , this is also a matter of balance. In the case of a dramatic picture manuscript, there is a frame, but I usually draw while looking outside of the frame as well. I draw while keeping an eye on the balance between the inside and outside of the frame. It is very important to make sure that the picture inside the frame is balanced and that the page as a whole is balanced, and the same can be said for the letters in this "NEXUS VII. The same can be said for the letters in "Nexus Seven." Even if the first letter "ne" is written in a big font, it will not be as powerful if it is written in a small font. The character should be written like a big wave and a small wave, or like a pulse that starts up and then builds up after a while. In other words, we pay attention to intonation, just like music. Letters are like music. And the picture is the same as music, and the way the panels move, and the way the letters move as a whole, is also the same as music."

What are your future plans?

(historical) paddy administered directly by a ruler. "It's a trade secret that I can't tell you, but recently I've been going abroad to do research for new works. . I will continue to do both gekiga and calligraphy as I have in the past. . I will also continue to enjoy my hobbies, such as making music and modifying 35mm film projectors, as I always have. . There are so many things I want to do, but my body is too frail to keep up with them. . I wonder if it is a sign that I have become an old man. . But that doesn't mean I can't stay depressed. I still want to keep my life together for my work and other things I want to do (laughs).

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NEXUSⅦ. × Hiroshi Hirata Collaboration item

long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)

(historical) paddy administered directly by a ruler:

The back print was designed by L.A. artist Cali Thornhill DeWitt, whose collaboration on Kanye West's latest work, "The Life of Pablo," is also fresh in the mind.