How Was the 'King' Born? A New Book Illuminating the Origins of Civilization in Ancient China Gets a Reprint Immediately After Release!

KADOKAWA Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Takeshi Natsuno) has announced that Atsushi Ochiai's book, 'The Birth of Kings: War, Rituals, and Hierarchy in Ancient Chinese Civilization,' has been decided for a reprint just 10 days after its release. This work, which portrays the little-known politics and society of ancient China, also serving as a prehistory to the manga 'Kingdom,' based on the latest research, has generated significant buzz immediately after its launch. Image of 'The Birth of Kings' ✓ 'Divination' using bones and shells (Oracle Bone Divination) 　→ Concavities were carved on the back to ensure a predetermined outcome. ✓ 'Sacrifices' using cattle and pigs 　→ It was also a 'good deed' to bestow valuable food upon the people. ✓ Oracle bone inscriptions with unknown specific information 　→ Only the ruling class could monopolize knowledge. Chinese civilization is, in fact, the only primary civilization that has survived to modern times. In the prehistory of the Chinese Empire, which was unified by Qin Shi Huang and has spun a history of over 2000 years, ancient people created various 'inventions' to support a nation of millions. 'Ancestor worship' and 'Mandate of Heaven ideology' that strengthened the king's position, 'prestige goods' that made status visible, 'hegemons' and 'covenants' that united nations to fight common enemies — how are these societal structures not so different from today's? An ancient China researcher unravels the origins of human history, which are shrouded in mystery due to scarce textual records, by using archaeological sites, artifacts, and oracle bone inscriptions as clues. 【Table of Contents】 Introduction — An unscientific but rational ancient society Chapter 0: History and Historical Materials of Ancient China □ Column: Lineage of World Scripts Chapter 1: The 'King' Was Born from Innovation □ Column: Conditions for Innovation Chapter 2: Society Was Maintained by Faith and Rituals □ Column: Yearning and Fear of 'Eternity' Chapter 3: Hierarchy Was Maintained by Practical Benefits □ Column: There Is No Revolution in China Chapter 4: Prestige Goods Visualized Status □ Column: Primitive Society Was Not a Utopia Chapter 5: Vested Interests Are Not Absolute Evil □ Column: China's Long 'Early Modern Period' Chapter 6: International Relations Are Driven by 'Enemies' □ Column: The Concept of 'Hegemony' in Modern China Final Chapter: From 'King' to 'Emperor' □ Column: Differences Between the Two Civilizational Systems Conclusion — An unscientific but rational modern society 【Bibliographic Information】 Title: 'The Birth of Kings: War, Rituals, and Hierarchy in Ancient Chinese Civilization' Author: Atsushi Ochiai Release Date: April 10, 2026 Price: 1,100 yen (1,000 yen + tax) ISBN: 9784040825687 Publisher: KADOKAWA Corporation Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4040825683 【Author Profile】 Atsushi Ochiai Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1974. Completed his doctoral degree (Literature) at Ritsumeikan University Graduate School of Letters, Department of History. Currently a visiting researcher at the Shirakawa Shizuka Memorial Institute for Oriental Culture and Characters at Ritsumeikan University. Specializes in oracle bone script and Yin Dynasty history. His major works include 'Dictionary of Oracle Bone Script' (Friends Bookstore), 'Dictionary of Chinese Character Forms [Educational Kanji Edition]' (Toho Shoten), 'Yin: China's Oldest Dynasty,' 'Forms of Chinese Characters: From Oracle Bone Script to Seal Script and Regular Script' (both Chuko Shinsho), 'How to Read Oracle Bone Script' (Kodansha Gendai Shinsho), 'Ancient China: Tales and Truths' (Chikuma Sensho), and 'The Birth of Radicals: Chinese Characters Reflecting Ancient China' (Kadokawa Shinsho).