Transparency Report for the WorkBemidbar/ Numbers: The Torah With Graphic Storytelling, Volume 10 Parashat Masei

石川尚寛（Naohiro Ishikawa)
Nov 27
3 min read

Transparency Report for the Work

Bemidbar/ Numbers: The Torah With Graphic Storytelling, Volume 10 Parashat Masei

1. Overview and Publication Information

This report is provided to ensure transparency with our readers regarding the creative process and the choices made in the production of the newly published graphic novel (eBook and print) and the narrated manga (YouTube video).

Publication Information:

English Title: Bemidbar/ Numbers: The Torah With Graphic Storytelling, Volume 10 Parashat Masei
Japanese Title: 絵巻旧約聖書モーセ五書「民数記」新版第10巻マセエー
Formats: eBook (Amazon Kindle), Print Book (Amazon), Narrated Manga (YouTube Video)
Series Context: This is the final volume of the Book of Numbers (total 10 volumes), serving as a crucial bridge to the subsequent Book of Deuteronomy.

2. Volume Theme and Content Focus

The central theme of this volume is "Parashat Masei (Journeys)." It meticulously reviews the 42 encampments of the Israelites during their wilderness journey, capturing the heightened tension and hope just before they enter the Promised Land of Canaan.

Key Topics Covered:

A comprehensive record and summary of the long journey through the wilderness.
The establishment of the boundaries of the Promised Land and specific instructions for land allocation to each tribe.
The institution of the Cities of Refuge (Shelter Cities).
Moses' final words and his testamentary guidance to the people.

This volume deeply examines the "meaning of the path people walk," ensuring that the visual storytelling helps the reader intuitively understand how every step of the journey contributed to the formation of their faith and community.

3. Creative Process and Transparency of Assets

The visuals for this work are not hand-drawn by the author. They are created by meticulously combining multiple, carefully selected visual sources, aiming for both educational value and the authentic depiction of the ancient atmosphere.

Visual Sources and Purpose:

AI-Generated Imagery: Used as supplementary elements to enhance modern visual appeal and reconstruct ancient scenes.
Historical Bible Illustrations: Selectively sourced from historical works whose copyrights have expired, used to convey traditional biblical interpretations and ambiance.
Copyright-Free Illustrations: Utilized as educational visual materials (e.g., diagrams, charts) to simplify complex institutions and geographical references, facilitating intuitive understanding.

These assets are intricately combined to align with the content of each verse. The resulting work achieves a high degree of completeness as an "educational visual resource" that retains an ancient feel while remaining accessible to modern readers.

4. Reader Experience and Educational Value

Grasping the Full Narrative: By reliving the journey of the Book of Numbers verse by verse, the grand path of the Israelites emerges clearly as a continuous line of history.
Experiencing History and Faith Together: Scenes of the wilderness encampments and land distribution are portrayed not just as geographical or numerical information, but as a deep "drama of human life and faith."
Applicable for Education and Learning: The complex biblical text is visually organized in a manga style, making it an excellent tool for school classes, training sessions, and family Bible study.

5. Author's Commitment and Series Vision

The author, Naohiro Ishikawa, is an educational blogger and writer whose mission is to "make difficult things easy to understand." This series is an extension of this mission.

The goal is to open up the Bible, a world classic, not just to specialists but also to general readers and those newly starting their study. The commitment to offering a "visual experience with every verse" lowers the psychological barrier to reading the Bible, allowing everyone to access the depth of the narrative.

6. Summary

The Torah With Graphic Storytelling, Volume 10 Parashat Masei offers a clear and beautiful visual summation of the wilderness journey. This volume brings new discoveries and understanding to both first-time Bible readers and those who have studied it for years. Within the series that explores "human journey and divine guidance" throughout the entire Torah, this volume powerfully symbolizes the "end of the journey and the new beginning."