---
product_id: 1699829
title: "In Praise of Shadows"
price: "494 kr"
currency: NOK
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.no/products/1699829-in-praise-of-shadows
store_origin: NO
region: Norway
---

# Deep dive into traditional architecture Timeless Japanese aesthetics Explores subtle interplay of light & shadow In Praise of Shadows

**Price:** 494 kr
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🕯️ Illuminate your mind with the shadows of timeless elegance

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** In Praise of Shadows
- **How much does it cost?** 494 kr with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.no](https://www.desertcart.no/products/1699829-in-praise-of-shadows)

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- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
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## Key Features

- • **Minimalism Meets Depth:** Embrace profound simplicity where less truly is more.
- • **Top-Ranked Cultural Essay:** Join thousands who rated it #1 in Philosophy Aesthetics.
- • **Aesthetic Philosophy Unveiled:** Discover the art of shadows shaping Japanese culture.
- • **Cultural Contrast Masterclass:** Experience the nuanced clash of East meets West in design.
- • **Intellectual Stroll Through Tradition:** Engage with a literary journey that transcends time and trends.

## Overview

In Praise of Shadows is a celebrated essay by Jun'ichiro Tanizaki that meditates on traditional Japanese aesthetics, architecture, and design through the lens of light and shadow. This used book, in good condition, offers a profound exploration of cultural contrasts between East and West, minimalism, and the beauty found in subtlety. Highly rated and a bestseller in Philosophy Aesthetics, it remains a must-read for those seeking to deepen their appreciation of art, culture, and design.

## Description

An essay on aesthetics by the Japanese novelist, this book explores architecture, jade, food, and even toilets, combining an acute sense of the use of space in buildings. The book also includes descriptions of laquerware under candlelight and women in the darkness of the house of pleasure.

Review: A thoughtful meditation - I can't call this an essay, in the sense of offering a logical progression in support of some thesis. Instead, it's a meandering stroll through one mans thoughts as Japan started toward Westernization. It's a pleasure to see this writer carry contradictory ideas without conflict between them. For example, he rhapsodizes about the elegance of traditional Japanese toilets, separated from living quarters but having nothing else in common with an American outhouse. He contrasts that with the sterile garishness of white Western porcelain. But, at the same time, he acknowledges the practicality of indoor plumbing, especially where population densities increase. Likewise, he seems at peace with the benefit and inevitability of electric lighting (this was in the 1930s) and telephones, at the same time that he laments how difficult they are to resolve with the majestic simplicity of traditional Japanese architecture. This, I think, is how his 'shadows' enter into his thoughts. For centuries, indoor lighting had been diffuse and indirect sunlight with only subtle influence on interior rooms, or the flame of a candle or oil lamp. With darkness a fact of life, not a problem to solve, Tanizaki explores how architecture, decor, even clothing and dining evolved to make the most of its contrasts. The gold flecks in lacquerware would stand out like stars in the night when candle-lit, not just sit flat as pointless bits of decoration. He goes on to discuss how traditional theater forms used the contrast of darkness and li ght, and how that is lost in the glare of artificial light. Tanizaki's sense of loss seems more wistful, an acknowledgement of the inevitable, and less a protest of erased culture. Perhaps that's what keeps this brief book relevant today. Without wholly condemning the Western influence on Asian society, he brings a different view, a different set of assumptions to even the most mundane details of life. As I reflect on it, I see the attraction in that view, and it makes me think about how it could help deepen and enrich out modern world. -- wiredweird.
Review: Salvation by Aesthetics - A must for the students of Japanese architecture and design. If you are unfamiliar with traditional Japanese architecture, theatres, handicraft and other designs, you may have to consult good photography books on these subjects since "In Praise of Shadows" does not contain any illustration. On the surface this spirited essay is on the significance of shades and shadows -and their associated silence and coolness- as the milieu for aesthetic appreciation of every-day objects. The author, Tanizaki Jun'ichiro, one of the most influential men of letters in the 20th Centrury Japan, unfolds persuasive arguments, sometimes drawing upon not-so-universal examples. For instance, not all traditional Japanese toilets were as inspiring as the ones he describes. Not all Japanese houses had an alcove (tokonoma) that meets his criteria. His tokonoma is essentially that of a well-designed Sukiya-zukuri style house, whereas a Shoin-zukuri style house may have had walls with painted pictures rather than a subdued sand-textured surface, and a Minka style farm house may have had no tokonoma. Likewise, not all Japanese women of the past had a body of a flat stick as he alludes, even though traditionally the expression "dejiri, hatomune" (bulging derriere, pigeon's bust) wasn't a compliment at all. A few forcible generalizations aside, Tanizaki's analyses are bold, well thought out, timeless, and almost painfully sensitive. It is arguably the best essay on traditional Japanese designs ever written by a non-designer. Still, the real thrust of this essay may be "In Paise of Aestheticism." For him, aestheticism was what enabled the Japanese to triumph over the imperfect materials their life was made of. He was fascinated by the power of minimalism where all noises are turned off and a few essential elements are let grow in intensity and depth in the profound darkness of shades and shadows. It appears that he was resigned to the inevitable advance of Western civilization and the material enrichment it brings about. He does not attempt to offer any serious prescription for it. Instead, he reaffirms his intention to explore further the shades and shadows in his realm of literature.

## Features

- Used Book in Good Condition

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #8,687 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #1 in Philosophy Aesthetics #27 in Essays (Books) #46 in Literary Movements & Periods |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 2,012 Reviews |

## Images

![In Praise of Shadows - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/618a06lht8L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A thoughtful meditation
*by W***D on August 15, 2023*

I can't call this an essay, in the sense of offering a logical progression in support of some thesis. Instead, it's a meandering stroll through one mans thoughts as Japan started toward Westernization. It's a pleasure to see this writer carry contradictory ideas without conflict between them. For example, he rhapsodizes about the elegance of traditional Japanese toilets, separated from living quarters but having nothing else in common with an American outhouse. He contrasts that with the sterile garishness of white Western porcelain. But, at the same time, he acknowledges the practicality of indoor plumbing, especially where population densities increase. Likewise, he seems at peace with the benefit and inevitability of electric lighting (this was in the 1930s) and telephones, at the same time that he laments how difficult they are to resolve with the majestic simplicity of traditional Japanese architecture. This, I think, is how his 'shadows' enter into his thoughts. For centuries, indoor lighting had been diffuse and indirect sunlight with only subtle influence on interior rooms, or the flame of a candle or oil lamp. With darkness a fact of life, not a problem to solve, Tanizaki explores how architecture, decor, even clothing and dining evolved to make the most of its contrasts. The gold flecks in lacquerware would stand out like stars in the night when candle-lit, not just sit flat as pointless bits of decoration. He goes on to discuss how traditional theater forms used the contrast of darkness and li ght, and how that is lost in the glare of artificial light. Tanizaki's sense of loss seems more wistful, an acknowledgement of the inevitable, and less a protest of erased culture. Perhaps that's what keeps this brief book relevant today. Without wholly condemning the Western influence on Asian society, he brings a different view, a different set of assumptions to even the most mundane details of life. As I reflect on it, I see the attraction in that view, and it makes me think about how it could help deepen and enrich out modern world. -- wiredweird.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Salvation by Aesthetics
*by T***I on July 6, 2011*

A must for the students of Japanese architecture and design. If you are unfamiliar with traditional Japanese architecture, theatres, handicraft and other designs, you may have to consult good photography books on these subjects since "In Praise of Shadows" does not contain any illustration. On the surface this spirited essay is on the significance of shades and shadows -and their associated silence and coolness- as the milieu for aesthetic appreciation of every-day objects. The author, Tanizaki Jun'ichiro, one of the most influential men of letters in the 20th Centrury Japan, unfolds persuasive arguments, sometimes drawing upon not-so-universal examples. For instance, not all traditional Japanese toilets were as inspiring as the ones he describes. Not all Japanese houses had an alcove (tokonoma) that meets his criteria. His tokonoma is essentially that of a well-designed Sukiya-zukuri style house, whereas a Shoin-zukuri style house may have had walls with painted pictures rather than a subdued sand-textured surface, and a Minka style farm house may have had no tokonoma. Likewise, not all Japanese women of the past had a body of a flat stick as he alludes, even though traditionally the expression "dejiri, hatomune" (bulging derriere, pigeon's bust) wasn't a compliment at all. A few forcible generalizations aside, Tanizaki's analyses are bold, well thought out, timeless, and almost painfully sensitive. It is arguably the best essay on traditional Japanese designs ever written by a non-designer. Still, the real thrust of this essay may be "In Paise of Aestheticism." For him, aestheticism was what enabled the Japanese to triumph over the imperfect materials their life was made of. He was fascinated by the power of minimalism where all noises are turned off and a few essential elements are let grow in intensity and depth in the profound darkness of shades and shadows. It appears that he was resigned to the inevitable advance of Western civilization and the material enrichment it brings about. He does not attempt to offer any serious prescription for it. Instead, he reaffirms his intention to explore further the shades and shadows in his realm of literature.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ In Praise of Shadows is a very insightful read.
*by C***J on June 27, 2016*

I got this books for a college class and found myself learning a lot more than I had expected. In this book you examine why, in Japan, things look the way they do and are built in the ways they are. You really delve into the cultural significance as well as the spiritual, What you take away from this book is an understanding of the why the materials that were used in feudal buildings were and are still used today. Not a boring book at all. It does get dark sometimes while reading, no pun intended, but nothing too drastic. The read was smooth and I retained a lot of what I read. This book is a classic, and gives you a great perspective into Japanese aesthetics as a historical driving force in Japan. It also allows for you to make your own conclusions on if aesthetics are still present in Japan to this day and if its existence is still relevant to Japanese culture. It is not a very long book at all and you can knock it out in a very short while. Though it is short, you will have a better understanding of Japanese sociology as well as the reasons why Japan has formed the way it has. Overall, I felt this book offered a lot. This book has been around for a while, and I am glad that I got around to reading it. If you are interested in Japan at all, please take a look at this book and get a feel for the country, more than just the superficial and stereotypical "sushi" and "manga" perspectives. You'll take away a lot more than anyone else who just looks at current Japan ever will. Light, easy read with very insightful explanations of Japanese sociological workings and their reasons for existing. Recommend.

## Frequently Bought Together

- In Praise of Shadows
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- Wabi-Sabi: Further Thoughts

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*Last updated: 2026-09-17*