In Praise Of Shadows

Jun'ichirō Tanizaki (1886–1965) was amajor modern Japanese author whose career spanned early 20th-century societal changes, from a fascination with Western decadence and erotic themes to a deep embrace of traditional Japanese aesthetics.Following the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, he moved to the Kyoto-Osaka area, which influenced his later work to focus on the conflict between tradition and modernization, exemplified in works like The Makioka Sisters and his essay In Praise of Shadows. A prolific writer, Tanizaki also translated the classical Tale of Genji into modern Japanese, solidifying his legacy as a prominent figure in Japanese literature.