Notes from ‘In Praise of Shadows’ by Junichirō Tanizaki, Edward G. Seidensticker (Translator), Thomas J. Harper (Translator), Leete's Island Books, 1933.

The title of this book, ‘Praise of Shadows’, can be understood by the following quotation in which Tanizaki expresses his theory about Japanese architecture; “ … the beauty of a Japanese room depends on a variation of shadows heavy shadows against light shadows – it has nothing else.” Pg. 29. He argues that westerners fail to “comprehend the mystery of shadows.” Pg.29

He speaks about the purity being an important thing to the value of something. The authenticity of something. “What incredible pains the fancier of traditional architecture must take when he sets out to build a house in pure Japanese style, striving somehow to make electric wires, gas pipes, and water lines harmonize with the austerity of Japanese rooms.” Pg. 5.

He then talks about how even the toilet in a traditional Japanese style building is a sacred experience for him. “…the Japanese toilet truly is a place of spiritual repose. It always stands apart from the main building, at the end of a corridor, in a grove fragrant with leaves and moss. No words ca describe that sensation as one sits in the dim light, basking in the faint glow reflected from the shoji, lost in meditation or gazing out at the garden.  The novelist Natsume Soseki counted his morning trips to the toilet a great pleasure, ‘a physiological delight’ he called it. And surely there could be no better place to savour this pleasure than a Japanese toilet where, surrounded by tranquil walls and finely grained wood, one looks out upon blue skies and green leaves. Pg. 9

He specifies that the place is very dependent on the experience inside of it. “… there are certain prerequisites: a degree of dimness, absolute cleanliness…” etc. pg. 9

He argues that aesthetics are an important part of a sacred experience. “Indeed one could with some justice claim that of all the elements of Japanese architecture, the toilet is the most aesthetic.”

He recognises that there are cultural differences in general feelings about what certain things are or are not considered valuable or sacred. “Compared with Westerners, who regarded the toilet as utterly unclean and avoid even the mention of it in polite conversation…” pg. 10

“A beautiful woman, no matter how lovely her skin, would be considered indecent were she to show her bare buttocks or feet in the presence of others…” pg. 11 - this reinforces his point about the valued thing is conditional on the situation and experience accompanying it.

“Though I did install modern sanitary facilities when I built my own house… I tried to create a Japanese atmosphere…” pg. 12

Tanizaki makes clear that; “It was not that I objected to the conveniences of modern civilisation, whether electric lights or heating or toilets, but I did wonder at the time why they could not be designed with a bit more consideration for our own habits and tastes.” Pg.12

 A lack of consideration in modern times for habits and tastes of a given tradition or culture is a point he emphasises. He felt this in 1933.

Tanizaki feels a very strong affinity with Japanese culture, and his arguments are protective of it from distorting western influences. “… How different everything would be if we in the Orient had developed our own science.” Pg.12 this would “have suited our national temper better”. Pg.13

He gives an interesting perspective on what he thinks is sacred and beautiful about gothic cathedrals. “I possess no specialised knowledge of architecture but I understand that in the Gothic cathedral of the West, the roof is thrust up and up so as to place its pinnacle as high in the heavens as possible – and that herein is thought to lie its special beauty.” Pg. 28

He then contrasts this with Japanese temple architecture which is different. He outlines his theory on the temple architecture and its beauty and therefore sacredness. “In the temples of Japan, on the other hand, a roof of heavy tiles is first laid out and in the deep spacious shadows created by the eaves the rest of the structure is built…” this gives the “impression of possessing far greater weight, height, and surface than all that stands beneath the eaves.” Pg. 28