Abstract
I have long been engaged in qualitative research, primarily centered on fieldwork and interviews, and have always been interested in documenting field experiences. I eventually publish the results of my research in academic articles and books, but I also routinely compile them into booklets and private publications known as zines. Even if it is tentative, it is meaningful to me that writing down an idea on paper for the time being gives it a form I can share. Print is a medium that facilitates person-to-person communication and creates opportunities for readers to respond to colleagues and others who may be interested. Printed matter enhances motivation to continue writing further. The creation of printed matter not only contributes to the publication and preservation of research results but is itself an interactive exploration. In this paper, I will begin by giving an overview of “writing movements” in Japan, characterizing the nature of self-publishing, and then introduce my current project. In discussing the value and meaning of printed materials, I suggest that the very process of freely composing texts based on our own concerns and creating small publications constitutes an opportunity for our dialogic inquiry.
