Who knew there was so much drama in characters? Learn about 83 of the world’s writing systems that are in danger of disappearing, along with the stories, history, and current situations that each character embodies. “World’s Writings in Danger of E

[Who knew letters could hold so much drama!] Learn about 83 of the world’s writing systems that are on the brink of extinction, and the stories, history, and current situations that each character embodies. “The World’s Writings on the Brink of Extinction” goes on sale today, October 28th! ​
Kawade Shobo Shinsha Press release: October 28, 2025 To Members of the Press [Who knew letters could hold such drama!] This book explains 83 of the world’s writing systems that are in danger of disappearing, and the stories, history, and current situations that each character embodies. “Endangered Characters of the World” goes on sale today, October 28th! Enjoy the character designs with beautiful visuals! Kawade Shobo Shinsha Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Masaru Onodera) will release “The World’s Endangered Writings” (written by Tim Brooks, translated by Atsushi Kurowa, retail price 5,390 yen including tax) on October 28, 2025.
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If even one written form were to disappear, everything would be lost: sacred texts, literature, letters, legal documents, wisdom, identity, and memories of shared life that have been passed down for hundreds of years. This unique book outlines 83 writing systems from around the world, 85-90% of which are said to be in danger of disappearing, along with the stories, history, and current status of each. From ancient Middle Eastern sacred characters used only by a small number of religious sects to newly invented African characters in the 21st century to keep cultural traditions alive, and from the Sudanese characters based on branding marks on camels to the characters of a remote part of China used for secret conversations between women, this book explores the stories of each character’s history while explaining the culture behind them. This is a moving book that will leave you overwhelmed by the passion of the people who created the characters and their successors who, at times, risked their lives to protect them! [Characters appearing in this book] ・Characters revealed in dreams ・Characters used as a code for the slave trade ・Characters created as a symbol of national independence ・Characters invented by young brothers ・A character based on the branding used on camels ・A character in danger of disappearing due to oppression by major powers ・A character used for secret conversations between women ・A character passed down through only four families ・A character used only during religious ceremonies ・A character that once disappeared due to oppression but was revived by descendants ・Characters created to be “unreadable” ・Characters designated as national treasures ・Characters for shamans… More than just a means of transmitting information, writing can also be said to be a living testament to people and culture. With this book, “World’s Endangered Characters,” why not embark on a journey of discovery to explore the beautiful characters that still remain around the world, as well as the thoughts and living memories of the cultures of the people who created them? ■Features of this book 1. This book realistically depicts the history and current status of 83 scripts around the world that are in danger of
disappearing, based on field research. 2. Understanding the background of the characters helps us understand the history of war and ethnic oppression from ancient times to the present. 3. There is also a wealth of information on religion and mythology surrounding the creation of writing. 4. Beautiful visuals that allow you to enjoy the text design just by looking at it. ■From the main text
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/12754/1084/12754-1084-7a991abf820be529ed06017051ff391e-3900×2538.jpg “Coptic script” (origin: Egypt) Copts are Greek Christians who lived in Egypt. It became the official language of Egypt in 600 AD, but with the rise of Islam, Copts and the Coptic language became a minority, and today there are only about 300 native speakers of Coptic in the world. (From P.88-91)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/12754/1084/12754-1084-97cdbd29ca7761898230e0472d4b4c5c-3900×2538.jpg “Siddham script” (Origin: South India) Siddham script was widely used to write Sanskrit in South India from around 600 to 1200 AD, but then fell into decline. After being introduced to China, Korea, and Japan as the writing system for Buddhist scriptures, it is still used in Japan by the Shingon and Tendai sects as a script with religious significance. (From P.64-65)
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/12754/1084/12754-1084-77793257d2572602031d7698ab4c8207-3900×2538.jpg “Cherokee” (Origin: USA) The Cherokee people lived in the area from present-day Virginia to Georgia. Originally, the Cherokee had no written language, but Sequoyah of the Cherokee developed one in the early 19th century and it was adopted by the Cherokee people. However, since the Indian Removal Act was enacted, the Cherokee language has been in steady decline. (From P.212-215) ■Table of Contents
Introduction / What is Endangered? / Writing Systems of the World AFRICA Introduction / Tifinagh / Vai / Basa-Va / Bamoun / Medefidrin / Mandombe / Garai / Mwanwego / Adlam / Luo / Nko / Berean /
Ditema-Tsa-Dinoko ASIA Introduction / Yi Script / Manchu Script / Ancient Zhuang Script / Soyombo Script / Mongolian Script / Siddham Script / Nushu (Woman Script) SOUTHEAST ASIA Introduction / Thai / Karen / Chin / Mon / Chunom / Cham / Mro / Hanifi Rohingya INDONESIA AND OCEANIA Introduction / Javanese / Balinese / Sundanese / Klitang / Bugis / Batak Baybayin / Eskaya / Avoyuli / Philippine National Treasure / Ur / Ibang-Dungin EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST Introduction / Mandaean / Samaritan / Syriac / Glagolitic / Avestan / Coptic / Nubian THE AMERICAS Introduction / Cherokee / Canadian Native Languages ​​/ Afaka / Osage SOUTH ASIA Introduction / Chakma / Grantha / Sirijanga / Newar / Thakri / Tirukhti / Siroti Nagri / Hoja / Tigalari and Tulu / Sharada / Modi / Meitei / Thana / Saurashtra / Kudabadi / Rong / Ghondi / Ol Chikhi / Sora Sompen / Gurung / Waran Chiti / Jenticha / Prasanna Sri Script / Thong Sikhi / Wancho BEYOND THE ALPHABET Introduction / Mizumaki / Tompa and Goba / Shapa / Adinkra / Nsibidi / Sona / Firma Acknowledgment ■About the Author Tim Brookes Born and educated in the UK. Before founding the Endangered Letters Project in 2010, he was a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, a soccer coach, a tour guide, a newspaper delivery man, a waiter, an English teacher, a freelance writer and editor, and a tobacco harvester. Since 1980, he has lived in Vermont, a state that is hardly part of the United States. ■Translator’s Introduction Atsushi Kurowa (Kurowa Atsushi) Translator. His translations include Yergin’s “A New World Resource Map,” Lee’s “A Super-Condensed History of Humankind and Economics: A Reader’s Guide,” Chang’s “Economics Recipes,” Bazzini’s “The Art of Philosophy,” and Bowker’s “The Encyclopedia of World Religions.” ■Bibliographic Information Title: World’s Endangered Characters (Original title: An Atlas of ENDANGERED ALPHABETS: Writing Systems on the Verge of Vanishing) Author: Tim Brooks Translator: Atsushi Kurowa Specifications: B5 variant (246 x 189mm) / hardcover / 256 pages / all two-tone First edition release date: October 28, 2025 Regular price: 5,390 yen (4,900 yen) ISBN: 978-4-309-22975-1
https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309229751/ Publisher: Kawade Shobo Shinsha
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