The vast ocean of words.
Without a means to cross the ocean,
we can only stand and watch,
keeping the words we desperately want to express inside.
A dictionary is a ship that is able to cross that ocean.
The Great Passage
On a quiet dreamlike morning
The crimson sky shines through the window and reflects off my pen
In the vivid clatter of the night, I wander between cities like a cat
Deep thoughts
A flexible conception
Foreseeable aspirations
Distant memories
Unruly hair
A narrow mind
A large circle of friends
A long silence
A short greeting
Tone of voice
The light in our eyes that slightly differs
Traces of friendship that's not in the treaty
In the ocean that sweeps the sand of eternity
Swept and sunk in the waves with sparse opposites and similarities
Clashing and exact opposites become resolved and connected
Reference
Conclusion
I'll gather words
that have
scattered
over
many
months and years
With the fragrant sea breeze, the connection that rests on the seashore becomes one
Vastness
What was the first dictionary you held, Mr. Matsumoto?
It was Otsuki Fumihiko's Sea of Words, which I inherited from my grandfather.
When I learned that Otsuki compiled it by himself after overcoming many obstacles,
it left a deep impression on me as a child.
I bet you looked up some naughty words too.
I would never.
Is that right?
My first dictionary was the Iwanami Japanese Dictionary in junior high.
I looked up all the dirty words.
But that is a very elegant and refined dictionary.
I'm sure you were only disappointed.
Yes, that's exactly right.
Hey, it sounds like you looked them up too.
We've made many dictionaries together, Araki.
I have fond memories of each.
I'm so sorry that I won't be able to see our work through to the end.
So you won't be able to stay on in the editorial department?
I do plan to drop by as much as I can,
but my wife's condition isn't improving.
I've been too busy with the dictionaries to do anything for her,
so I wanted to at least be by her side after retirement.
That is probably for the best.
It is your turn to support her now.
I promise to find my successor before I retire.
Someone who will be able to perfectly assist you,
lead the dictionary's editorial department,
and further advance our plans to create a new dictionary.
Someone young and brilliant.
I doubt I will ever meet another editor like you.
Compiling a dictionary is very specialized.
It's completely different from books and magazines.
It requires patience and attention to detail,
an indulgence for words but not overly so, while also having a wide perspective.
Is there a young person like that in this day and age?
There has to be.
I will do whatever I have to do to find one.
Dictionary Editorial Department
Sasaki, where's Nishioka?
He's not back yet.
Where has he gone off to again?
Sasaki, I have a favor to ask.
Yes?
If there is anybody who might be suitable for dictionary editing, would you let me know?
I don't care what department they're in.
Okay.
The Great Passage
It's absolutely crucial in order to create The Great Passage.
The Great Passage
My name is Majime Mitsuya, from Genbu Publishing.
I want to express our gratitude for carrying our latest issues in your store.
I have brought some sales-promotion material with me today.
I'm sorry, but could we take this over there since this is the register?
Of course.
Here, sir.
We would be honored if you would use this.
Yes, thank you very much.
Well, I have this now, so...
Thank you very much!
Yes, yes. Good day, then.
Have a good day!
Welcome.
That will be 680 yen.
Excuse me, but who did that man say he worked for?
Genbu Publishing.
I'm sorry he startled you.
No, I'm sorry!
I apologize for our salesman's behavior.
I promise I'll chew him... have a word with him.
We hope to continue our business with you, as you are a valued customer.
Yes, of course.
Thank you for your courteous gesture.
Man, I don't remember a guy like that in our sales department.
Wait, he's gone already.
Wait! Stop there, sales guy!
Yeah, you!
You're from the dictionary editorial department?
Nishioka Masashi
Genbu Publishing Dictionary Editorial Department
I didn't realize you were also from Genbu Publishing.
I'm very sorry.
No, that's what I'm trying to say.
If you carry around a bag from their rival store during sales call, they won't take you seriously.
Oh, I just liked the color and look of it.
But that's not the point.
In order for every bookstore to feel comfortable selling our products,
you always have to put yourself in their position.
That's like Sales 101.
Do you understand, um, Majime Mitsuya?
Majime Mitsuya
Genbu Publishing Sales Department #1
Yes, that's right.
Majime, huh?
Look, it's good that you take after your name and are an earnest, hardworking guy.
I'm just saying to read the air a little more.
Air?
What?
"To read the air."
The air you're referring to isn't the kind you breathe.
You're using it to mean a situation or mood.
Is that right?
You can also use it as in "the air is heavy."
Which would mean an uncomfortable situation that you'd want to leave.
I think I'm feeling that right now.
Well, keep at it.
Um...
Hm?
Thank you for your lesson.
Sure.
Souun Boarding House
I have returned.
Tiger.
I have to make dinner, don't I?
I hope dried sardines are okay with you.
Micchan? Are you back?
Yes, I just got in now.
I made too much food.
Would you like some?
Thank you.
I'll take you up on your offer.
Thank you for the meal.
I have these too.
Oh, they smell very nice.
It's Inosaka Meat's proud new addition.
He said he would give a discount this week to get people to try them, so I bought enough for two.
I see.
It does smell a little different than usual.
You know what old man Inosaka told his son?
He said, "We have to change. We need to come up with something new."
Can you believe that?
He's apparently very enthusiastic.
They have to change...
Oh, I've noticed you've added to your pile of books.
I'm sorry.
Were they in the way?
I thought I organized them so they wouldn't spill out into the hallway.
Don't worry about it.
I just got a glimpse from the hallway.
Souun's floors can take it.
You can pile on even more.
I mean, if a bookworm like you stopped buying books,
I'd be even more worried.
That's a relief to hear you say.
Words.
Words as vast as the ocean.
Unable to express my feelings or know which direction to head,
I sink into the ocean.
The ocean swallows me.
Someone please reach out to me.
Show me the way.
Teach me!
The dictionaries!
Yo, I'm Dictionary.
Kai
Hiroshi
I'm a dictionary.
I'm Dictionary.
Hiroshi
Rinta
Hiroshi
Rinta
Hiroshi
Rinta
Hiroshi
Rinta
I'm Dictionary.
Sen
Wait, if we're all dictionaries,
They don't all agree!
how come all our names and content are different?
Rinta
Kai
Hiroshi
Sen
Depending on when it was published and the direction it was given, each dictionary has its own personality.
It's own personality
I'm majestic and flexible with new words.
Flexible with new words!
I'm super hip.
I'm real proud of all the cool modern words I've compiled.
Cool modern words
What about you?
Oh, me? I...
That's something you can discover in time.
Yeah, yeah.
My own personality...
Every dictionary has its own personality!
Hey, he's here again?
Who is?
Araki from the dictionary editorial department.
Dictionary?
Apparently he's looking for talent.
Seriously? Well, I'd better keep my head down, then.
There has to be someone.
It requires patience and attention to detail,
an indulgence for words but not overly so, while also having a wide perspective.
Someone like that has to exist.
They have to.
Dictionary Editorial Department
Araki.
Did you skip lunch today?
I don't have time for lunch.
I wish I could be as carefree as you.
That's not very nice.
I looked too, you know.
Right, Sasaki?
Yes.
But finding someone suited for making dictionaries isn't going to be very easy.
Pathetic.
The company is neglecting dictionaries.
Can you blame them?
Making dictionaries requires an enormous amount of money and time.
Enormous...
And business has been bad.
Everyone is only interested in things that will sell quickly.
Dictionaries have a good image and are generally resilient in the market.
Confirm difference between "enormous" and "colossal"
This is precisely why we need to stay motivated and look toward the future.
I mean, there are so many dictionaries already.
Hey.
As a dictionary editor, I hope you don't believe that all dictionaries are the same.
No. Even I know.
Considering word interpretation and the selection process, each dictionary has its own personality.
No two dictionaries are the same.
We are going to make a new dictionary befitting the future with Mr. Matsumoto.
Even I understand that.
But there aren't very many employees here who are as excellent as I am.
Even yesterday, I ran into some guy in Sales on the street.
You won't believe it.
I bet he was just obsessed with sales figures.
No, almost the opposite.
Guy's not cut out for sales at all.
I gave him a stern talking-to.
Air?
"To read the air."
It isn't the kind you breathe.
You're using it to mean a situation or mood.
Is that right?
What else was there?
He said something about uncomfortable situations and wanting to leave where you're standing.
Did he just come up with that on the spot?
That's an interesting salesman.
Sounds like he has a knack for it.
What?
I swear you'd cringe if you met him, Sasaki.
He seriously can't read the air.
I'll meet him.
What?
What was his name?
I can't wait. You come with me.
What?
Wait.
Hold on, Araki!
He was able to come up with multiple definitions instantaneously.
Genbu Publishing
That's a crucial ability to have when writing a dictionary.
Seriously, there's no point in meeting him.
He's really stupidly earnest and an airhead.
Oh, this is him.
Sale Department #1, Majime.
Let's go.
Sales Department #1
First Division
Second Division
Third Division
Compiling a dictionary is very specialized.
It's completely different from books and magazines.
It requires patience and attention to detail,
an indulgence for words but not overly so, while also having a wide perspective.
Is there a young person like that in this day and age?
Araki Kouhei Editor-in-Chief
Genbu Publishing Dictionary Editorial Department
I'm Araki, with the dictionary editorial department.
I'm Majime, with Sales Department #1.
That is a very unusual name you have.
Where are you from?
I'm from Tokyo, but both of my parents are from Wakayama.
Apparently the old wholesale stores were also referred to as "majimes."
So it comes from making arrangements for the traveler's horse.
Majime!
Another name for wholesale stores
Shogakukan's Japanese Dictionary might have an entry
Need to confirm
Oh, I'm sorry for going off on a tangent.
It's not a problem.
I've been asked about the origins of my name before, but this is the first time someone's written it down.
What would you do if you were asked to explain "right"?
"Right"?
Do you mean the direction or the ideology?
"Right" as in the direction.
If I were to say the side you hold your chopsticks with,
it would ignore those who are left-handed.
And if I say it's the side your heart isn't on,
there are actually people who have their hearts on the right.
When you face your body north,
it's the side that's to the east.
Then how would you convey "island"?
Do you mean the land mass, anatomical term, or abstractly?
The land mass.
A comparatively small land mass surrounded by water, perhaps?
No, that's not sufficient.
Enoshima is still an island while having a portion connected to land, which means...
It's okay, I've heard enough.
Majime, I would like to use your talents to create The Great Passage—
to create a new dictionary with us.
You're kidding, right?
A dictionary?
Those of us who stand in front of an ocean of words
in order to carry our thoughts and feelings
create a ship.
A ship called The Great Passage to cross the ocean of words.
Vastness:
of very great area or extent; immense. "The vastness of the ocean"
Vastness:
of very great area or extent; immense. "The vastness of the ocean"
"Hey, it's a full moon tonight"
I tell you softly as you sleep
Your gestures, attitude, and way of life
Mean so much more to me than any word
So please stay the way you are
I & I = You & I feel it
Here with you, forever by your side
I've loved you
Since the day we met
I memorized every single line.
Relax, relax...
Majime Mitsuya Genbu Publishing Sales Department #1
Rerax...
Oops!
Oh no...
The lines I memorized have all disappeared.