In Praise of Shadows Review

Lisa Jean Allswede
Winchester Thurston School
MS/US Studio Arts (grades 6-12)
In Praise of Shadows Review
Since reading Tanizaki’s essay, In Praise of Shadows, I have gained a greater appreciation for the shadows in my own life. Tanizaki’s reflections have a witty way of using the essences of light to inspire the reader to look more deeply at what influences change in the surroundings of one’s environment. Quite honestly, his essay lurks around in my head since I have read it and I have become intrigued by the shadows that hang out in the corners of my house.
The thought-provoking essay has many facets that become personal to the reader but in the end I believe there are three basic themes that one gains from the piece. First, I think it is important to understand that Tanizaki grew up during the Meiji period and experienced the effects of WWII. In his life time great change surrounded him and one can understand his strong interest in harnessing the traditional culture of Japan. The spirited essay talks about how the Western culture has taken away the essence of Japan’s customs. It reflects endlessly on how the Japanese ways were inundated with such things like electrical wires, pipes and shiny appliances to excessively pounder about how it will exist in harmony with the every day life of Japan.
Another aspect of Tanizaki’s essay it illustrates the various elements of the Kansai region has to offer. It proliferates about the different cities, Japanese food, the tradition of women, architecture, and entertainment that makes one feel envious of Japanese way. Paper, pen, black lacquer bowls, teahouses in Kyoto, Noh, Bunraku Puppets Theatre all become romantic features one wants to experience.
Finally, In Praise of the Shadow puts a whole new view on shadows. As an artist, I connected to the analogy of light and how the darkness in light plays a role in our perception. Tanizaki’s philosophy is quite intriguing and illuminates many questions to consider about the shadows in one’s live. Here, I think, is where the essay becomes personal to the read. Based on the reader’s experience the interpretations of the essay can vary. Your age and where you grew up will influence how one relates to Tanizaki’s ideas. If you are from a western culture, if you are only 20 years old; one might find the essay nonsense. As one ages and experience the rapid changes of society one might understand Tanizaki’s idea of appreciating the way of the past. In this way, I believe the essay is rich with translations that can be discussed among your students in a classroom.
It is a well-written essay that any teacher can use in their classroom. I would recommend students in 8th grade or higher because of the abstract quality of the In Praise of the Shadow. A teacher could use the essay as a way to look at the influence of Western culture on Eastern culture; the idea of shadows representing change; or the idea of modern conveniences v. tradition.
The reason why I rated In Praise of Shadow a 4 out of 5 stars is because I got lost in Tanizaki’s stream of consciousness. His elaborate style was too daunting for me at times. I could easily see a student being frustrated by this style of writing. On a whole I found the piece inspiring as an artist and find myself reflecting on what Tanizaki wrote as I walk through the shadows in my life.
On a funny note, I can’t wait to experience toilets in Japan. Tanizaki romantic view of the toilets in Kyoto’s and Nara’s temples puts a new spin on the “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”. Seems like an opportunity I can’t pass up.