The Turntable of Civilization: Summary of Chapter One and the Transition to Chapter Two
This essay reflects on Chapter One of The Turntable of Civilization and the author’s later struggles. From an unprecedented newspaper opinion advertisement that influenced policy to the forging of a distinctive style through the keyboard, the author situates writing as an act of soul—écriture. Chapter Two emerges as a “work of the soul,” possible only in book form, promising profound reflections for committed readers. Yet this transition was darkened by fraud, a life-threatening illness, and relentless online slander. Through these trials, the author continues to pursue the completion of Chapter Two, embodying resilience, critique of power, and devotion to truth in expression.
This article details the conclusion of the first chapter of the author’s book, Civilization’s Turntable, and the profound challenges that have since plagued his writing career. The author, who once took an unprecedented stand against societal issues with a 10 million yen opinion ad, was struck by a severe illness triggered by fraud and “killer stress.” Despite facing relentless online defamation and search engine obstruction, he continues to work toward completing the second chapter, a “work of the soul.” The text explores the trials faced by a true écrivain (writer) and his indomitable spirit.
The Turntable of Civilization: Summary of Chapter One and the Transition to Chapter Two
Summary of Chapter One
Chapter One of The Turntable of Civilization can be summarized as the author’s articulation of deep insights into society and authority, grounded in his own lived experiences. The following points stand out:
Unprecedented Action:
In the severe economic climate following Japan’s 1990 “total volume regulation,” the author undertook an extraordinary action to defend his business and oppose the unjust “super-heavy taxation.” He invested ten million yen—a huge sum—into an opinion advertisement in the Nikkei Shimbun, distributed to all subscribing households in Tokyo. This unprecedented act was born of his self-awareness as a kanshi (a poor, marginalized intellectual), in contrast to elites who remain silent in their security.
Confidence in Impact:
Just as an earlier opinion advertisement distributed in Osaka had reached the very heart of the city, the author is convinced that Chapter One quietly but deeply reached Japan’s political and cultural “core.” Especially his critique of the mass media, he emphasizes, had never before been voiced by anyone in such depth and originality.
Exploration of Style and Expression:
Through his encounter with the keyboard, the author declares that his literary style was completed. Disliking handwriting, he discovered in the keyboard’s clear, universally legible characters—whether in Japanese or English—the true tool for his thought. He dismisses the formal aesthetics of calligraphy, holding that only truth in words matters. Writing (écriture) is described as work of the soul, impossible in spoken language, requiring time and devotion.
Transition to Chapter Two
Building upon this conviction and philosophy, Chapter Two is signaled as a work that could only be expressed in the form of a book.
A Promise to Readers:
The author pledges to deliver reflections of true worth to those who purchase his books. This is not a broadcast to an anonymous crowd, but a commitment to provide profound, high-quality words to dedicated readers.
Content Possible Only in Book Form:
The essence of Chapter Two lies in being a “work of the soul,” realizable only through the book as a medium—not through free online dissemination. It represents the distilled product of time, labor, and life itself.
Depth of Reflection:
The author emphasizes his life experience—seeing Kyoto’s historic sites such as Ryōan-ji, Ginkaku-ji, Shisendō, Kikoku-Tei, Arashiyama, as well as traveling the world—as the foundation of the profound thought embodied in Chapter Two.
Thus, if Chapter One served as a “catalyst” calling out to society, then Chapter Two is positioned as the “main body,” guiding gathered readers into a deeper journey of essential reflection.
Author’s Sentiments and Outlook
In the latter part, the author reveals his current feelings and outlook:
Creative Drive and Harsh Reality:
Though struck by the desire to photograph Hawaii, which he loved deeply, economic constraints forced him to abandon the plan.
Seeking New Expression:
He instead looks toward discovering “something never seen before” in winter Kyoto. Should that fail, he resolves to spend year’s end watching fine films or cherishing the smile of “Ms. Kurikinton,” whose expression he describes as the embodiment of goodness itself.
Balancing Creation and Life:
The text reveals the tension between artistic creation and the demands of daily life, but also the author’s human determination to find modest happiness while pursuing his art.
Transition Darkened by Ordeal
The transition into Chapter Two, envisioned as a work of the soul, was soon darkened by trials.
The author was defrauded of a large sum of money by three swindlers who appeared at his Umeda building. This bitter humiliation and rage became a “killer stress” that led to a grave illness, with doctors declaring only a 25% chance of survival.
He endured eight months of hospitalization at Osaka’s Kitano Hospital, a facility rivaling Kyoto University Hospital. On June 1, 2011, as soon as he announced the publication of his book from his hospital bed, the same criminals unleashed a flood of online slander and search sabotage targeting both the book and the author himself.
Thus, just as he was about to begin Chapter Two, he was struck by yet another ordeal. He had long written that true gifted individuals are tested by God, but this event and illness marked not a new beginning, but the commencement of further trials.
Even so, the author remains committed to completing Chapter Two of The Turntable of Civilization—a work of the soul—while confronting life’s severity and absurdity with unyielding resolve.