In Praise of Shadows Paperback – May 3, 2001

This was a great read. It was assigned reading for a class I had on the meaning of "beauty" in the arts. The book is largely about Japanese culture, but the experience of reading it as part of any Western-ized culture is much more about looking critically at what the Western world finds beautiful. In maybe the first ten pages, he approaches this argument in the most delightfully funny way -- by talking about toilets. By the end of this section, I was ready to say f*ck my stupid pretentious ugly toilet and install a japanese bathroom. Anyway, the point is he brings up these points in really interesting ways, and I'm always a fan of more reasons to see beauty in the world :)PS It's so weird how amazon doesn't let you post a review unless you answer the question "How would you describe the plot of this book?", regardless of whether it's fiction with a "plot" or not. Like, the question comes up on my textbooks and this nonfiction piece too. So silly.

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.

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.

With In Praise of Shadows, Jun’ichiro Tanizaki will take you through the lines of thought from the past to the present, seeing through the values that seem to have “dusted” in the middle of the modern world. You will realize that the past has never been obsolete, and the darkness has never been so praseworth.

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.

An interesting, but brief, essay of somewhat loose reflections on traditional Japanese culture. I had hoped for rather more on architecture but, despite this area only getting a brief coverage, don’t regret buying the book.

I really enjoyed learning something of ancient Japanese culture. I also enjoyed his take on our overly lit culture today compared to the days of shadows in your home because of candle light. It was a pleasure to read and brought you into their time as well as comparing modern times. Something unique to read. Enjoy

Alles gut.

This book, a radiant treasure, transforms our view of shadows, revealing a novel realm of contemplation and wonder.

interesting reading

Es un muy agradable ensayo, en el cual sientes que una persona esta conversando contigo y mostrando la belleza que esta oculta en la obscuridad de los estilos japoneses tradicionales. Uno de mis libros de no ficción con el cual más estuve de acuerdo y mas me hizo repensar mis ideas propias; el envío y el libro fueron excelentes como siempre.