In Praise of Shadows

Enjoyable read. The book transports you back to the time and place of the historical event the book revolves around and makes you feel your experiencing it in the here and now. Great character development as well. (As a side note, Buzz occasionally sprinkled in an extremely rare word here and there. Words I have never heard of or seen in print before, yet their definition perfectly described the idea he was conveying.)

I can't call this an essay, in the sense of offering a logical progression in support of some thesis. Instead, it's a meandering stroll through one mans thoughts as Japan started toward Westernization. It's a pleasure to see this writer carry contradictory ideas without conflict between them. For example, he rhapsodizes about the elegance of traditional Japanese toilets, separated from living quarters but having nothing else in common with an American outhouse. He contrasts that with the sterile garishness of white Western porcelain. But, at the same time, he acknowledges the practicality of indoor plumbing, especially where population densities increase. Likewise, he seems at peace with the benefit and inevitability of electric lighting (this was in the 1930s) and telephones, at the same time that he laments how difficult they are to resolve with the majestic simplicity of traditional Japanese architecture.This, I think, is how his 'shadows' enter into his thoughts. For centuries, indoor lighting had been diffuse and indirect sunlight with only subtle influence on interior rooms, or the flame of a candle or oil lamp. With darkness a fact of life, not a problem to solve, Tanizaki explores how architecture, decor, even clothing and dining evolved to make the most of its contrasts. The gold flecks in lacquerware would stand out like stars in the night when candle-lit, not just sit flat as pointless bits of decoration. He goes on to discuss how traditional theater forms used the contrast of darkness and li ght, and how that is lost in the glare of artificial light.Tanizaki's sense of loss seems more wistful, an acknowledgement of the inevitable, and less a protest of erased culture. Perhaps that's what keeps this brief book relevant today. Without wholly condemning the Western influence on Asian society, he brings a different view, a different set of assumptions to even the most mundane details of life. As I reflect on it, I see the attraction in that view, and it makes me think about how it could help deepen and enrich out modern world.-- wiredweird.

Provided a view of the Oriented perspective of light and shadow and how that perspective exists within the culture. Well written and well presented. Very informative.

Short condensed book that is enlightening on old traditional Japanese aesthetics, from dimly lit interiors to the refinements of tea and incense ceremonies.Beautiful writing in translation. Have given this as a gift.

A must read for understanding concepts in traditional Japanese design

The least this publisher could have done was to spell the author’s name correctly in the listing. The Amazon listing shows “Tanazak” but the author’s name is Tanazaki. Seriously. This edition reads like a poor draft translation that was slammed onto Amazon to pad the publisher’s accounts. No care was given to the details. Recommended only with these reservations.

Shadows have always intrigued. Shadows cast a human emotion of fear and intrigue. Intrigue entwined within shadows is a deeply embedded HIDDEN human intelligence that one casts into the light to contrast the happy, light, bright and airy. Shadows are powerful and similar to the painters who reveled in their innate talent of chiaroscuro, Mr. Tanizaki reveled and revealed in how his culture intellectually lived amongst the shadows in all aspects of reality. Reality is an emotion and not what we see as tangible.....shadows obscure what we seek to "see" but "brings to light" an emotional power that can only be truly felt by a deeply emotional dependence upon shadows.

I got this books for a college class and found myself learning a lot more than I had expected. In this book you examine why, in Japan, things look the way they do and are built in the ways they are. You really delve into the cultural significance as well as the spiritual, What you take away from this book is an understanding of the why the materials that were used in feudal buildings were and are still used today. Not a boring book at all. It does get dark sometimes while reading, no pun intended, but nothing too drastic. The read was smooth and I retained a lot of what I read. This book is a classic, and gives you a great perspective into Japanese aesthetics as a historical driving force in Japan. It also allows for you to make your own conclusions on if aesthetics are still present in Japan to this day and if its existence is still relevant to Japanese culture. It is not a very long book at all and you can knock it out in a very short while. Though it is short, you will have a better understanding of Japanese sociology as well as the reasons why Japan has formed the way it has. Overall, I felt this book offered a lot. This book has been around for a while, and I am glad that I got around to reading it. If you are interested in Japan at all, please take a look at this book and get a feel for the country, more than just the superficial and stereotypical "sushi" and "manga" perspectives. You'll take away a lot more than anyone else who just looks at current Japan ever will. Light, easy read with very insightful explanations of Japanese sociological workings and their reasons for existing. Recommend.