In connection with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Hachikō, this article recalls the dog’s story in the context of its cultural impact in Japan and around the world. Hachikō is an authentic and very unusual Akita Inu dog, known from film adaptations (Japanese, Hollywood, and Chinese), which belonged to Professor Hidesaburō Ueno, who worked at the Faculty of Agriculture at Tokyo Imperial University. Hachikō was born on November 10, 1923, near Ōdate, a city in Akita Prefecture. The dog was very attached to his master and every day he accompanied the professor to Shibuya train station, where he left for work, and then came to the station and waited for his master so that they could return home together. When Professor Ueno died suddenly at work on May 21, 1925, Hachikō was waiting for him at the station. From that day on, he came and waited for his master in the afternoon outside Shibuya train station in Tokyo every day for nearly ten years until his death. He was found dead near the station on the morning of March 8, 1935.

Even during Hachikō’s lifetime, his story touched many people, including those in the media. Hachikō became a symbol of fidelity, devotion, attachment, and loyalty, values traditionally cultivated in Japan. Therefore, already in his lifetime, in 1934 a monument was erected to him and unveiled in his presence at Shibuya Station. Also at the University of Tokyo there is a statue of Hachikō showing him together with Professor Ueno. Hachikō’s body was preserved after his death, and his figure can be admired today in a permanent exhibition at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo.

The purpose of this brief text is not to collect a handful of facts and present the story of the faithful dog Hachikō, but it is to draw attention to the story’s importance from the point of view of traditional values that are deeply rooted in Japanese history and tradition, and are still important and fostered.

This article describes a fragment of the work of Kenya Hara, a contemporary Japanese designer who focuses on the issue of communication and perceives design as universal wisdom accumulated by society. In the wide range of his projects, a special place is occupied by exhibitions, which he has been involved in since the beginning of his artistic activity. In the article, the author mentions the most important exhibition projects in which Hara combines various threads from the world of design, industry, technology and, above all, science. Most of Hara’s curatorial projects cover various spheres of his activity, from creating concepts, through selecting artists, designing visual identification, writing texts in the catalog, and preparing the visual design of the exhibition. An important aspect of Hara’s exhibition projects is engaging viewers by appealing to memory. Technology has given great opportunities in visuals and audible expression, but he argues that his exhibitions that involve physically going to the venue to experience the exhibits are richer media events, ones that can engage all senses. The most important value of his projects is enabling recipients to discover the unique values of Japanese culture. Each exhibition is a vehicle of knowledge relating to both history and the future and constitutes an important message as part of Hara’s philosophical design concept.

This paper explores the reinterpreted use of early Japanese short poems tanka (henceforth referred to as waka) as magical formulas, particularly examining Moto yori chiri ni majiwaru…, a pseudo-classical waka attributed to Izumi Shikibu (976–1031) (also to Ono no Komachi, a ninth-century court poetess) and Naniwazu ni saku ya…, a poem recorded in Kokin wakashū [Collection of Ancient and Modern Japanese Poems]. These examples, which are wellfounded in literature, illustrate how waka were repurposed for supernatural applications. The focus is on their practical role in female physiology, particularly as magical formulas to regulate menstrual cycles and ward off impurity caused by menstrual blood. The paper argues that these waka endured through their incorporation into talismans (gofu), and the study includes examples of talismans from the author’s private collection. Through this exploration, it sheds light on the dynamic interplay between waka, Buddhism, and ritualistic purity

The age of majority in Japan was lowered from 20 to 18 on 1 April 2022 when a newly revised Civil Code came into effect. Japanese young people 18 years of age and older will now be able to make their own life choices and decisions in various social situations. At the same time, they will also have the responsibilities of adults. Various opinion polls, however, show a widespread lack of concrete understanding of people’s rights and responsibilities in Japan. This paper explores the meaning of the term 成年 seinen (age of majority) by comparing the case of France on the basis of the French Civil Code in order to shed light on the legal and common meaning of “attaining adulthood.”

The intricate relationship between doujinshi (self-published amateur works often inspired by pre-existing texts in various media) and copyright law in Japan presents a compelling area of investigation in legal studies. Doujinshi, often perceived as derivative works, constitute a significant portion of Japan’s media culture. This article explores the legal ambiguity surrounding doujinshi, discussing both the legal doctrines and cultural norms that have contributed to a generally tolerant stance towards what might otherwise be considered copyright infringement in other jurisdictions. Through an investigation of the historical, cultural, and legal contexts, this article provides an insight into how Japan’s copyright law interacts with doujinshi, reflecting a nuanced balance between intellectual property rights and creative freedom. The findings offer a deeper understanding of how copyright law operates in the unique socio-cultural landscape of Japan.

Japan is considered the country with the most lenient laws restricting freedom of speech. However, this state of affairs has recently changed due to the suicide of a celebrity caused by hate speech directed at her mainly through social media. Nevertheless, the actual sanctions for violation of reputation (honor) in Japanese law are less strict compared to European regulations because of historical, social, and cultural conditions. Extra-legal norms that have been developed allow society to function properly even without requiring the law to interfere in this sphere of private life. The purpose of this article is to indicate the factors affecting freedom of speech, using the example of the posthumous protection of the reputation of the deceased in Japanese law. This example provides opportunities to answer questions about why sometimes a reputation is also legally protected after death, and what conclusions should be drawn from this for other legislations.

The article concerns Chinese law in the imperial period as presented in the research of Father Professor Antoni Kość SVD. The philosophical foundations of Chinese law are analysed mainly from the point of view of Confucianism and Legalism. In order to show the particular character of Chinese law, an outline of the assumptions of other philosophical and religious schools is also presented. The subject of the article is the preserved legal codes, the system of state authorities and taxes, the structure of the social hierarchy, and individual branches of law. The aim of the article is to show the changing nature of the Chinese legal system over the course of successive Chinese dynasties.

The article attempts to answer the question as to which of the foundations of Chinese philosophy have influenced Chinese law to the greatest extent. The main research methods used are historical and legal analysis.

Despite the great geographical distance between China and Poland, the two countries share a long and deep friendship. In recent years, literature has made frequent appearances at different levels of interactions and communications between China and Poland, demonstrating the unique role of literary exchanges in promoting the development of a relationship between two countries. This essay provides a systematic compendium, a comprehensive summary, and a multidimensional analysis of Chinese-Polish literary exchanges. Beginning with methodology, it introduces the purpose, subjects, range, levels, and theoretical tools of the study of two countries’ literary relations. Through a multi-dimensional study of literary reception, the Chinese-Polish literary exchange is divided into five periods: an early period of “mutual acquaintance”, a period of “initial development” in the first half of the 20th century, a period of “becoming mature” in the second half of the 20th century, a period of “increasing prosperity” in the new era, and a period of “new times” since 2012. The essay analyzes the contents, characteristics, and causes of Chinese-Polish literary exchanges in every period, objectively depicting the panorama of exchanges in literature between the two countries. On this basis, the patterns of Chinese-Polish literary exchanges are summarized from three dimensions: translation, imagology, and communication. Finally, suggestions are offered on how to effectively carry out the mutual promotion of Chinese and Polish literature in the future.

China increasingly marks its presence in the global economy through services that enrich traditional manufacturing (servitization of manufacturing). In this article, the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region is analysed in the context of this phenomenon. Because of the ongoing development of the relevant economies, only advanced services were examined, equating these with ICT services. The aim of the article is to assess the share of Chinese ICT services in the industrial production of CEE, in particular in the computer, electronic, and electrical equipment industry after the introduction of the Chinese Digital Silk Road. The study confirms that China is increasingly enriching CEE manufacturing with its services; however, the intensity differs depending on the economy considered.

This article discusses the soft power of China and its impact on public opinion in Poland. It examines various aspects of Chinese culture, politics, and economy, as well as the tools used by China to promote its soft power in Poland. The article presents the results of the survey, which show that the overall opinion of China in Poland is neutral, despite China’s efforts to promote its soft power in the country. However, the survey also reveals that Polish respondents have a positive view of Chinese culture and economy, while their perception of Chinese politics is negative. The article concludes that China’s soft power in Poland is still limited, but it has the potential to grow in the future, particularly through the promotion of Chinese culture and the Chinese economy

Climate change and the effects of global warming are one of the most important problems in the modern world. The effects of these phenomena affect the everyday life of societies and the functioning of enterprises, industries, and entire sectors of the world economy. Therefore, appropriate legal and economic regulations have been and are being introduced at state level. Reducing exhaust emissions is the primary goal of electrification of the automotive industry, because the internal combustion engine is inefficient in terms of energy (it burns a lot of fuel and emits large amounts of harmful exhaust gases). The result of this transformation of the automotive industry is the creation of a new product, the electric car (EV), which makes possible the decarbonization of transport.

In 2022, global EV sales totaled 10.5 million units, an increase of 55% compared to the previous year. The largest increase in EV sales in the world was once again recorded in China: by 82% year-on-year. China is by far the largest EV market, accounting for 59% of global EV sales in 2022.

Currently, the dynamic nature of the market environment for electric car companies influences the development of product innovations. The basis for shaping product strategies is the company’s designated goal, the size and structure of its resources, and its innovative potential. The size and structure of the resources at its disposal and its skills (especially in the field of research and development, technology and financial resources) determine the possibilities of taking creative actions in the field of products. This potential directly affects the range of products offered, their technical level and quality.

Activities located within the company’s long-term strategy should take into account changes in buyer preferences, technological progress, activities of competitors, as well as innovative activities of enterprises from supporting industries.

Vehicle manufacturers are introducing more and more EV models, contributing to the electrification of road transport. They see the direction of development in the coming years and know that the expansion of the BEV market is inevitable. However, many automakers have different strategies for transitioning to EVs. Tesla has been producing EVs from the beginning and has become a market leader, meeting consumer expectations by introducing various product innovations in terms of energy consumption, charging speed, and range on a single charge. Chinese manufacturers, like BYD or Geely, have started to play a significant role in this race.

The aim of the article is to discuss the basic forms of product innovation used by Chinese EV manufacturers. Additionally, the authors of the article try to answer the question as to whether Chinese EV manufacturers are able to achieve a significant share in other world markets by using product innovations in their EV vehicles, compared to their competitors’ meeting customer needs.

Taiwan’s current status has been shaped by a multitude of historical, legal, economic, and political circumstances. However, as outlined in this article, its status does not conform to the ‘one China’ principle promoted by the People’s Republic of China, according to which it should be treated as a Chinese province. The possibility of maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan is, therefore, largely dependent on current political arrangements, and a decision in this regard should be tailored to the agenda and objectives of each country that is considering establishing such relations. Over the last few years, for example, one can observe a slow change of stance in this regard on the part of the United States, Japan, and EU member states, which, in the face of the war in Ukraine and growing tensions between Western countries and China, have begun to express support for Taiwan’s democratic society with greater boldness. This article makes exemplary recommendations touching on three main spheres of activity – diplomatic, economic, and military – that can be used by democratic states wishing to demonstrate support for Taiwan in its long struggle for international subject status.

The significant influence of the Internet on social and economic life has led to the birth of new social and professional groups and innovative forms of communication. It has also influenced changes in the language – the emergence of new lexis, semantic changes, and the incorporation of vocabulary typical of different fields. Such modifications have led to the differentiation of new sociolects, whose distinctiveness is determined by their lexis. One newly formed Internet group consists of beauty influencers, who focus their activities on the broadly defined fields of make-up and cosmetology. The aim of this article is to prove that the language they use can be considered a sociolect. For this purpose, lexis was analysed from twenty-five videos uploaded by Taiwanese creators on the YouTube platform in the first quarter of 2021.

The Boxer Codex is a Spanish manuscript dated approximately to 1590. It was written in the Philippines in Manila, having been commissioned by the contemporary governor of Manila, Gomez Pérez Desmariñas. The document is called after the name of the last private owner of the codex, Charles R. Boxer, a historian and specialist on the history of colonialism in Asia. It contains illustrations showing figures in costumes representing peoples living in areas colonized by the Spaniards in Asia (The Philippines) and neighbouring lands, such as China, Japan, the Spice Islands (the Moluccas), Brunei, Java, Siam (Thailand), Northern and Central Vietnam, and others. Alongside the illustrations are texts describing the geography and customs of the minorities who live there; these, research shows, may be copies from the work of Martin de Rada, Miguel Rojo de Brito, and other anonymous authors.

This article examines the manuscript from the perspective of costume studies. Because of the very extensive material in the manuscript, the author has selected several illustrations connected with Chinese dress in order to show its richness and the first European view of Chinese culture on the threshold of modern times. The author juxtaposes these with the already well-known accounts of the Polish sinologist Michał Boym (1612-1659). Boym’s accounts of Chinese dress (and not just of that) form a supplement to the illustrations from The Boxer Codex. This manuscript is also one of the first documents relating to the so-called volumes of costumes, which were put together both in Europe and in the Far East, and which made it possible to learn about still undiscovered countries and their inhabitants.

In the thirteenth century, vast areas of Eurasia witnessed the Mongols’ destructive expansion initiated by Chinggis Khan and continued by his successors. It also extended to the Kingdom of Goryeo, which was founded in 918 by Wang Geon. For almost three centuries, the country in question conducted a skilful foreign policy towards its more powerful neighbours, but from 1170 it was in an incessant internal crisis caused by a military revolt. Subsequently, in 1196, General Choe Chungheon took over the reins of government, marginalising the king. From 1231, Goryeo became the target of a Mongol invasion, which lasted intermittently until 1259. As the court fled to Ganghwa Island, the main burden of fighting rested on the shoulders of the province’s inhabitants, who used guerrilla methods to combat the invaders. The situation was only normalised by the removal of the Choe family from power and the agreement between King Wonjong and Kublai Khan, who afterwards also became the Chinese Emperor. Thus, China exerted a significant influence on the events taking place on the Korean Peninsula till the end of the fourteenth century.

The subject of the article are the thanatic practices of indigenous Indonesian peoples viewed from the perspective of places and spaces associated with the dead and the spirits of ancestors. The author points out that human refusal to die, creating the need to create substitute places of presence for those who no longer exist, is marked by „genetic” theatricality and that Indonesia is a particularly interesting area to study this phenomenon. The theoretical basis of the article are the reflections of Samuel Weber on the ghostly nature of theatrical space and of Mirosław Kocur on the performative space that both produces performances and is produced by performances. From this perspective, the author looks at specific burial places, ideas about the afterlife, and manifestations of the cult of ancestors in various regions of Indonesia. She analyzes ritual strategies of creating the illusion of the immaterial presence of deities and spirits of the dead, as well as ways of inscribing the image of the afterlife and the dead themselves into the existing, natural space and into the space of the immediate surroundings: home and village. Following this line of thought, she finally focuses on the special symbolic qualities of stone as a material used to mark places where the dead and spirits are present. In this respect, Indonesia creates a unique field for research, because in some of its regions the traditions of megalithic cultures are still continued.

This article presents the current situation of Sanskrit and the importance of Sanskrit in India. How is Sanskrit used in daily life in India and what is its role in the sub-continent’s religions? There are some television channels in Sanskrit and in schools Sanskrit is a mandatory subject. It is one of the twenty-three official languages in India. Sanskrit is not a dead language because there are some villages where people use it in daily life, for example in school, university, worship, and especially on traditional occasions. It has a role like Greek or Latin have in European society. India has a special day celebrating Sanskrit, and a special week for Sanskrit. People have started to learn Sanskrit in German schools and in US schools. NASA also uses Sanskrit. It is possible in the future that computers will work in Sanskrit. Sanskrit is the language in which the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and texts on ethics are written. It has been a language used in India for a very long time. Sanskrit is a classical and historical language of India. The corpus of Sanskrit literature encompasses a rich tradition of poetry and drama as well as scientific, technical, philosophical, and Hindu religious texts. The importance of Sanskrit is quite evident from its all-India scope. It goes without saying that it is the basis of most of the modern Indian languages. I give several opinions of Sanskrit of some of the greatest orientalists that the world has ever produced; I show the consensus of the opinions of men like Professor Max Müller, Veer Savarkar, Rajendra Prasad, and Mahatma Gandhi. These opinions show the cultural importance of Sanskrit in the life of India as the only language that can culturally integrate the entire country and the entire Hindu society.