On the Origin of Emojis

A new discovery reveals a forgotten chapter in the history of our digital lifestyles

From the ukiyo-e woodblock prints that sparked the Japonisme fad of the late 19th century, to the anime and manga that attract so many fans in the 21st, illustrated art has long served as Japan’s face to the world. Emoji are another (literal?) example, integrating into online lifestyles so seamlessly that many users don’t even realize the little glyphs …