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Paper short abstract

The paper examines how moji-e (pictures made of written characters) defy expectations regarding writing, reading, and deciphering. It explains how the decryption process unfolds, what makes it enjoyable and challenging, and how moji-e can contribute to more general research on reading and seeing.

Paper long abstract

Moji-e is one of the most fascinating examples of the combination of writing and drawing in Japan. During the Edo period, the term referred to drawings of people, animals or objects created using written characters. Deciphering moji-e requires many skills. First, it is necessary to distinguish between writing and drawing, which can sometimes be difficult. Then, the written characters within the drawing must be identified. Several techniques can facilitate this process, such as using thicker strokes for written characters than for drawn lines and repeating the text in a standard form outside the drawing. However, the difficulty varies greatly from one example to another, and some moji-e can be particularly challenging.

This presentation will focus on how certain moji-e defy expectations regarding writing, reading and deciphering. The distinction between writing and drawing is challenged by drawings created using written characters. The usual redundancy between a human being's name and the characters used to draw its silhouette is broken in moji-e that use different characters. Commentaries that offer new interpretations play with the codification of certain moji-e.

We will demonstrate the complexity of moji-e using the canonical example of the silhouette of a small wandering monk created using the characters mairase sōrō. This highly codified moji-e is also characterised by its great versatility. Its meaning changes depending on the characters that compose it, the text placed alongside it and the artist's intentions. Through this example, we will attempt to answer broader questions to understand what makes deception both so enjoyable and challenging. Which elements are relevant in order to identify a moji-e? How does the decryption process unfold? What happens if a moji-e is not identified as such? What does reading mean? Finally, what does seeing mean?