noun
previous writing; previous letter; first of two books
Refers to something written earlier, such as a previous letter or the first volume of a two-book set. Context determines which meaning applies.
前書で述べたように、この問題は複雑だ。
As mentioned in the previous writing, this issue is complex.
この全集は前書と後書に分かれている。
This complete works is divided into the first book and the second book.