“Were it not for shadows, there would be no beauty.”
Introduction
Tanizaki begins by reflecting on how Western modernity has altered traditional Japanese aesthetics, particularly in architecture and design. He contrasts the Western preference for brightness and clarity with the Japanese appreciation for shadows, softness, and subtlety. The essay sets the stage for a deeper exploration of cultural values embedded in darkness and light.
On Architecture and Light
Tanizaki examines how traditional Japanese buildings are designed to embrace shadows, using materials like wood and paper that diffuse light gently. He critiques Western-style buildings for their harsh illumination, arguing that they erase the delicate interplay of light and darkness that defines Japanese beauty.
The Aesthetics of Darkness
Delving into everyday objects—lacquerware, pottery, and even food—Tanizaki describes how shadows enhance their beauty. A bowl of soup, for instance, gains depth when glimpsed in dim light. He laments how electric lighting strips these objects of their mystery and elegance.
Women and Shadows
The author reflects on how traditional Japanese beauty ideals for women relied on shadowy nuances—pale skin glimpsed in dim rooms, the play of light on a kimono. Modern makeup and bright lighting, he argues, flatten this subtle allure into something garish and artificial.
Technology and Tradition
Tanizaki grapples with the tension between technological progress and cultural preservation. While acknowledging the inevitability of change, he mourns the loss of shadow-rich spaces, like old theaters and homes, replaced by sterile, over-lit modernity.
Conclusion
In closing, Tanizaki wistfully imagines a world where modernity could coexist with shadows. He suggests that beauty lies not in rejecting progress but in finding ways to preserve the poetic interplay of light and darkness unique to Japanese tradition.
Key Ideas
- The cultural significance of shadows in Japanese aesthetics.
- The clash between Western modernity and traditional Japanese design.
- The role of subtlety and darkness in defining beauty.
- The impact of technology on sensory experiences.
- The melancholic nostalgia for vanishing traditions.
Who should read this book?
- Lovers of Japanese culture and aesthetics.
- Those interested in the philosophy of beauty and design.
- Readers who enjoy reflective, lyrical essays on tradition and modernity.