A Double Meaning of “Play” Observed in the Story Comic “TOUCH”

Abstract

This paper deals with “Play” for the purpose of clearing up the meaning of sport, which is socially held in common, by analyzing a story comic “TOUCH”.
“TOUCH” had been serialized on “SHUKAN SHOUNEN SUNDAY” from 1981 to 1986. This story comic had a great popularity those days.
It is composed of “sport as story” and “sport as episode”. “Sport as story” corresponds to “subjectivity” and “sport as episode” to “non-subjectivity”.
Sport has usually been analyzed in the aspect of Play. But, it is impossible to analyze “sport as episode” in that aspect. Because the present Play doesn't contain the perspective of “non-subjectivity”.
As a result of the analysis of “TOUCH” we found the following points:
1. “Play” contains both perspectives of “subjectivity” and “non-subjectivity”.
2. Meaning of sport is divided into two, “sport as story” and “sport as episode”, according to the perspectives. And it lies under the control of “sport as story” at the present time.
This paper leaves much to be further descussed. We emphasize, however, that it is important to continue analyzing the story comic for the purpose of clearing up the meaning of sport.