Languages change over time. No matter how hard we try to control and regulate them, they exist in a state of endless metamorphosis. This does not mean, though, that we should simply stand by and watch as language devolves into nonsense. What should we do, then? Recognizing the inevitability of change is a given, of course. But we must also navigate the delicate line between the pull of popular trends and the urge to cling blindly to the ways of the past. The ideal balance, Professor Nakanishi argues in this book, lies in being “one step behind the times,” which is the best approach for wielding all the charms of a language. Beautiful words have an ageless quality, regardless of when they first appeared in a language. The Japanese language testifies to that truth. This book introduces a balanced mix of new and old words that reflect the singular beauty of the Japanese language. The beautiful words of the Japanese language are not―as some people say―simply old, antiquated terms. Discerning beauty in a language requires more than having an antiquarian’s ear; it requires certain sensibilities and sensitivities. Only by submerging ourselves in a language can we perceive its splendid subtleties, and appreciate its true beauty. This book offers readers an opportunity to delve into to those nuances of Japanese, explore the language’s history, and savor its unique beauty.

紙の本として世に出るのは、おそらくこれが最後です——よしもとよしとも　 発表30年、永遠の名作、新装完全版！ 90年代青春漫画のベスト＆ロングセラーとして語り継がれる短編集に初版未収録のシリーズ最終話『ライディーン』を収録 『青い車』（1995年）／『オレンジ』（1996年）／『ツイステッド』（1995年）／『マイナス・ゼロ』（1995年）／『一人でお茶を』（1996年）／『NO MORE WORDS』（1995年）／『銀のエンゼル』（1991年）／『ライディーン』（1997年） カバー描き下ろし。2025年版セルフライナーノーツ収録