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In Praise of Shadows

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In Praise of Shadows

By: Junichiro Tanizaki
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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About this listen

"Were it not for shadows there would be no beauty."

In Praise of Shadows is an eloquent tribute to the austere beauty of traditional Japanese aesthetics. Through architecture, ceramics, theatre, food, women, and even toilets, Tanizaki explains the essence of shadows and darkness, and how they are able to augment beauty. He laments the heavy electric lighting of the West and its introduction to Japan, and shows how the artificial, bright, and polished aesthetic of the West contrasts unfavorably with the moody and natural light of the East. Dreamy, melancholic, and mysterious, In Praise of Shadows is a haunting insight into a forgotten world.

The popular translation by Thomas J. Harper and Edward G. Seidensticker is essential listening for anyone interested in Japan and Japanese culture.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©1977 Leete’s Island Books, Inc. (P)2017 Naxos AudioBooks Aesthetics Essays Philosophy Nonfiction
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Loved it. So charming. Will listen again and again.
The narrator and the translator are to be commended for their gentle tone and empathy.

Charming.

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A lovely listen, spoken well by the narrator. Really enjoyed the discussion around old and new and different cultures values on light amongst other things!

Charming

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Lovely listening - fun pace with great inflections by the narrator that bring this opinion piece about the aesthetics of pre-electric lighting to life. Wonderful for reflecting on how objects prior to the Industrial Revolution would have been seen, their lighting environment and good for reconsidering the design of your own personal space.

Japanese aesthetics

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