This item chinese calligraphy from pictograph to ideogram the history of 214 essential chinese japanese by edoardo fazzioli paperback 2495 only 16 left in stock more on the way ships from and sold by amazoncom. This book which introduces the westerner to a rich and mysterious world is based on a classic compilation of the chinese language done in the 18th century which determined that all the characters then in use were devised from 214 root pictographs or symbols. An illuminating history of the 214 chinese symbols or radicals and how they provide a unique way to penetrate a rich mysterious world and can reflect the history and philosophy of an entire culture written chinese can call upon some 40000 characters many of which originated about 6000 years ago as little pictures of everyday objects used . Chinese calligraphy from pictograph to ideogram the history of 214 essential chinese japanese characters fazzioli edoardo 9780789208705 books amazonca cdn 2495. This book modeled after a classic compilation of the chinese language done in the 18th century introduces readers to the 214 root pictographs or symbols upon which this writing system whose rich complexities hold a wealth of cultural meaning is based