“In Praise of Shadows” (In’ei Raisan) was written by Tanizaki Jun’ichirō in 1933. It is a philosophical essay that explores the aesthetic concepts specific to Japanese culture. Far from the luminous exuberance of Western modernity, Tanizaki celebrates the beauty of shadows. He celebrates the darkness and its subtle nuances that characterize Japanese tradition. This work, both profound and poetic, questions the fascination with modernity. And it invites a reflection on traditional aesthetics, intimately linked to subdued light and hushed atmospheres.
The Essence of Shadow
In “In Praise of Shadows”, Tanizaki contrasts two aesthetic conceptions. That of the West, which seeks to repel darkness with light, to that of Japan, which welcomes shadow and half-light as essential elements of beauty. The author expresses a nostalgia for a time when shadow was more valued. Particularly in architecture, literature, art and daily life.
Tanizaki emphasizes the importance of subdued lighting in traditional Japanese homes. Screens, paper lamps and matte materials created an environment conducive to meditation and contemplation. He evokes the mystical atmosphere of temples and old houses. Where diffuse light highlights textures and shapes, far from the aggressive glare of modern lights.
A Reflection on Modernity
Throughout the essay, Tanizaki questions the way in which modernity has changed the perception of space and light in Japan. In particular through technologies imported from the West such as electricity. He deplores the omnipresence of artificial light. It erases the subtleties of shadows and half-tones so present in Japanese aesthetics. Bright light, according to him, reveals too much and deprives the mind of the imagination and mystery that only shadow can offer.
This reflection goes well beyond lighting. For Tanizaki, shadow represents a different relationship to time, to slowness, and to a way of inhabiting the world. He advocates a minimalist aesthetic where imperfection and discretion are primordial values. Through concrete examples, he shows that we can only fully appreciate certain beauties in the dark. For example, the way Japanese lacquer shines faintly in the dark,
Aesthetics of Everyday Life
The essay also addresses the way in which shadow influences more concrete aspects of everyday life. Tanizaki, for example, discusses the design of traditional Japanese toilets, often built of wood, dark, and open to nature. The shadow invites a more intimate and spiritual experience. He also talks about kitchen utensils, tableware, and the colors of food. But also about the way in which shadow and light influence the perception of these elements. Which transforms the simplest objects into works of art in a cozy atmosphere.
Legacy and Influence
“In Praise of Shadows” is today recognized as a major work in the reflection on Japanese aesthetics. The text has influenced many artists, architects, and modern thinkers, both in Japan and abroad. His devotion to shadows, subtle contrasts, and hidden beauty has resonated far beyond Japan’s borders. It has inspired a return to the roots and a reevaluation of the notions of simplicity and mystery in art.
Tanizaki, through this poetic manifesto, defends a vision of the world where light and shadow complement each other. Where the unfinished and imperfection are a source of beauty. And where modernity does not necessarily have to erase the treasures of the past.
Conclusion
“In Praise of Shadows” is much more than a simple essay on Japanese aesthetics. It is a reflection on the way we perceive the world. On our relationship to light, time, and space. Tanizaki invites us to relearn how to see. He also invites us to appreciate the nuances and depth that shadow brings to everyday life. By reading this work, we rediscover the beauty hidden in the darkness. We the importance of preserving these moments of contemplation in a world increasingly saturated with light.
