Preface

"Eightfold Fence of the Bamboo Plain" is one of the ancient names of Japan, but being enclosed by a "Fence" is also the feeling one experiences when living there for a long time: a sense of isolation and protection, accentuated by the characteristics of its society. It's as though the islands of Japan are enveloped by a mystical boundary, a sanctuary for those who traverse its landscapes and immerse themselves in its culture.

Japan has always had an industrious, mysteriously vibrant character. Its history is a tapestry woven with threads of tradition and innovation, where ancient temples stand in harmony with futuristic skyscrapers, and where the echoes of honor resonate alongside the hum of high-speed trains. This duality, this juxtaposition of old and new, is a testament to Japan's ability to evolve while preserving its rich heritage.

The language here is more than a mere means of communication; it's a reflection of the Japanese spirit, a vehicle for conveying the subtle nuance...

Foreword

Born in Napoli in 1974, I was a frightened little boy from the Vomero suburb. For some reason I remember my childhood through a dark green filter, perhaps the colour of an old city bus, or that of the shades on buildings’ windows that I watched with obsessive curiosity. I was frightened because in those years all people talked about were terrorist attacks: bombs on trains and in railway stations, hijacked airplanes and so forth. AlsoI was keenly aware that I lived in a world of which I knew close to nothing, and in which even adults did not seem at ease. I didn’t know what waited at the end of the roads I walked on; everything in my life seemed just a fragment of something else.

When I was a kid I was constantly drawing, and soon I became reasonably skilled at observing and representing the reality around me. I tried several different media and techniques, and finally settled for comics. I wanted to become the new Charles M. Shultz, and I even exchanged letters with him! Thanks...

I here. The passport photo The Kyoto School A second childhood Peace and Evil Shōkokuji Hands up! Her first job The dialogues with her Alleys A dialogue at dawn The taste of chopsticks The doorman Children Identity and freedom The bullet train Between life and death Mrs. Mirai

2016 - EN / Alessandro Wm MavilioThe Fence - Glances and Reflections on JapanMAVILIO

2016 - EN / Alessandro Wm Mavilio
The Fence - Glances and Reflections on Japan
MAVILIO