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A review by daphnesayshi
In Praise of Shadows by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
3.0
I have to admit, Tanizaki's essay on aesthetics is largely convincing and revitalised deeper interest in the various aspects of Japanese culture that we have taken for granted and exported, en masse. especially notable were his remarks on the nature of human innovation, and positing the differences that might have been, were the locus located in the East instead of West.
That being said, a few gripes:
- the year of when this essay rears its dated head in parts, especially his observations with regards to beauty (specifically, women's beauty, which he is no doubt an expert in, as this casual and not at all sarcastic reviewer here reading with her modern-day feminist lens on notes)
- I'm typically of two minds when it comes to translated works, and this is no exception
- not sure if it's a misguided decision of the translator, or an accurate translation of the times in which Tanizaki existed, but the use of 'Orient', and 'Oriental' is just... well nope.
That being said, a few gripes:
- the year of when this essay rears its dated head in parts, especially his observations with regards to beauty (specifically, women's beauty, which he is no doubt an expert in, as this casual and not at all sarcastic reviewer here reading with her modern-day feminist lens on notes)
- I'm typically of two minds when it comes to translated works, and this is no exception
- not sure if it's a misguided decision of the translator, or an accurate translation of the times in which Tanizaki existed, but the use of 'Orient', and 'Oriental' is just... well nope.