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rana_heshmati's review against another edition
4.0
«به راستی اما ریشهٔ این تفاوت سلیقه در کجاست؟ نظر من این است که ما شرقی‌ها سعی می‌کنیم با هر آنچه اطراف‌مان شکل گرفته خودمان را راضی و خشنود کنیم، خودمان را متقاعد کرده‌ایم که چیزها را همان‌طور که هستند بپذیریم و برای همین است که تاریکی آرامش‌مان را بر هم نمی‌زند و به گونه‌ای اجتناب‌ناپذیر آن را در زندگی‌مان جای می‌دهیم. در جایی که روشنایی اندک است نیازی به تشدید آن نمی‌بینیم و در عوض به تاریکی پناه می‌بریم و زیبایی نهفته در آن را کشف می‌کنیم.
انسان غربی اما همواره تلاش کرده آنچه دارد را بهتر کند، از شمع به چراغ‌های روغنی از چراغ‌های روغنی به روشنی‌های گازسوز و در آخر هم نورهای الکتریکی. میل روزافزون او به روشناییِ بیشتر هرگز آرام نگرفته است. تمام توانش را به کار بسته تا جزئی‌ترین سایه‌ها را نیز از میان بردارد.»
انسان غربی اما همواره تلاش کرده آنچه دارد را بهتر کند، از شمع به چراغ‌های روغنی از چراغ‌های روغنی به روشنی‌های گازسوز و در آخر هم نورهای الکتریکی. میل روزافزون او به روشناییِ بیشتر هرگز آرام نگرفته است. تمام توانش را به کار بسته تا جزئی‌ترین سایه‌ها را نیز از میان بردارد.»
klagge's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very enjoyable book, although it is really more of a long essay. I originally read about it on the Brain Pickings blog, and decided to read it since I am going on a family trip to Japan next year (my first visit).
The author, a Japanese novelist, published the essay in 1933. It is a sort of idiosyncratic elegy to various aesthetic elements of traditional Japanese culture, which Tanizaki generally groups together under the heading of "shadows" (contrasted with the Western appreciation for brightness and light). He writes with a charmingly self-aware curmudgeonliness, and the book contained a number of LOL-lines for me--particularly the early section on traditional outhouses. Tanizaki is under no illusions that Japan would have been better off if it had never opened itself to Western influences, but still reserves the right to lament those valuable and unique things that were lost. He doesn't have a program of revitalization in mind, and even writes amusingly about the tradeoffs he had to make in designing and decorating his own home. He also has an appealing inclination to try to understand national culture and aesthetics in terms of naturalistic causes and influences, rather than appealing to some ineffable national spirit (though I would say his efforts in this direction seem hit-and-miss; reasonable enough, given that he is a novelist by trade).
I'll certainly have this book in mind when visiting Japan. For anyone who is interested, the essay appears to be "free for the Googling" online.
The author, a Japanese novelist, published the essay in 1933. It is a sort of idiosyncratic elegy to various aesthetic elements of traditional Japanese culture, which Tanizaki generally groups together under the heading of "shadows" (contrasted with the Western appreciation for brightness and light). He writes with a charmingly self-aware curmudgeonliness, and the book contained a number of LOL-lines for me--particularly the early section on traditional outhouses. Tanizaki is under no illusions that Japan would have been better off if it had never opened itself to Western influences, but still reserves the right to lament those valuable and unique things that were lost. He doesn't have a program of revitalization in mind, and even writes amusingly about the tradeoffs he had to make in designing and decorating his own home. He also has an appealing inclination to try to understand national culture and aesthetics in terms of naturalistic causes and influences, rather than appealing to some ineffable national spirit (though I would say his efforts in this direction seem hit-and-miss; reasonable enough, given that he is a novelist by trade).
I'll certainly have this book in mind when visiting Japan. For anyone who is interested, the essay appears to be "free for the Googling" online.
sirannonster's review against another edition
3.0
A Tanizaki no le gustan los retretes de porcelana, las paredes, las bombillas o la ropa de colores, porque no dejan ver la verdadera belleza de las cosas. Por un lado, es un señor mayor gritándole a un mundo que ha cambiado muy de golpe para él.
Por el otro, la descripción de la sombra, el elogio a la oscuridad y su manera de ver la belleza en un simple bol lacado en negro me han atrapado en este ensayo.
3.5 estrellas.
Por el otro, la descripción de la sombra, el elogio a la oscuridad y su manera de ver la belleza en un simple bol lacado en negro me han atrapado en este ensayo.
3.5 estrellas.
magda_doublebookspresso's review against another edition
3.0
Dziwna ta książka w swojej treści, ale niewątpliwie poszerza widzenie świata z perspektywy autora.
jefcaine's review against another edition
3.0
A great celebration of the minimalist Japanese aesthetic with just a little too much grumpy old timer energy.
rrrebekahmay's review against another edition
5.0
I actually really want to read this again before I review it. I read this is little snatches of time because I didn't have much time to read over the weekend. Its a beautiful love letter to Japan's history and the way it looks in low light. I could see everything coming alive from the page in my head. Absolutely gorgeous book and beautifully written. I highly recommend this one!