More akin to the art of thinking than the art of writing ~ Takaya Isoshima's "The Art of Words" published

The Art of Words
(April 18, published by Dentsu Inc., distributed by Asahi Shimbun Publications)

It was quite some time ago. I was a new Dentsu Inc. employee who admired Shigesato Itoi and Tomoyo Harada (titles omitted), nervously wondering which department I would be assigned to. Called "Takuya Isoshima," I stood up and was told, "Creative Production Bureau," then sat down. And so, I became a copywriter.

Takuji Nakamura, Hiroshi Komatsu, Masami Ikede, Makoto Tsunoda, Koji Hirayama... (titles omitted). From these outstanding mentors, I learned copywriting, step by step, even being grabbed by the collar (just kidding). Paying them back by doing the same for juniors is how I repay their kindness, but I find it surprisingly difficult. Even though I'm no spring chicken anymore.

Then came the company order: write a book called The Art of Words. The company really knows how to spot talent. I tried to meticulously record the writing techniques I learned from my mentors. In truth, it's less about writing technique and more about the art of thinking. The book's conclusion ended up being a blunt truth: think one step deeper than others. But that's the truth, so what can you do?

Gently prodded by the lovely Ms. Nakajima, our editor, as I wrote the manuscript late into the night in the office, I kept recalling the feeling when I was assigned to the creative department. I remembered the houseboat we boarded that night for the training wrap-up party (Bubble, here we come!!) and the gasoline-scented wind that hit my cheeks. That mood, a mix of anxiety and the sense of a new beginning. I learned that truly new words can be born from nothing but that kind of hope. I wish I'd written this story in a book back then, I think now.

Though much time has passed since then, Itoi-san remains as energetic as ever, and Chisato-chan is still beautiful (and recently single again). I find myself thinking that as long as I can still recall that feeling, I might still have something to write. Having written this far, I'm at 710 characters. I take pride in my first-class skill at meeting word counts.