Nuzhat Khan

    The essay “In Praise of Shadows” by Junichiro Tanizaki is more persuasive than the book The Chrysanthemum in the Sword by Ruth Benedict.“In Praise of Shadows” compares Japan to the West through the lens of a Japanese man who clearly has a special connection to his home land. His writing makes the reader feel as if he were taking a walk through Japanese towns and experiencing whatever was being described, wether that be sitting in the toilet of a traditional home, watching a performance at the No Theatre, drinking soup from a lacquer bowl under the dim candlelight, or sitting in a dark room with a Kimono-clad woman. The use of light and dark to symbolize the West and Japan allow for a sense of duality and unity. While the West is characterized by its technological innovation, cleanliness, Japan has merits in its embrace of antiquity and ability to find beauty in the simple, dirty, and unseen parts of the world. Even the most avid follower of the latest technology will feel a nostalgic chill of a place they’ve never known when reading about the beauty waiting to be discovered in the ‘darkness’ of Japan. The essay shows that while technology is properly revered, people should still remember their roots and the beauty in the ancient ways of ancestors.

     In contrast, the book takes a more objective approach to the differences between Japanese and American culture by using detailed historical facts. It explains the cultural factors at play in WWII, the government, the role the emperor, and the hierarchal structure of Japan. While this is more informative, it does not offer that intimate feeling that comes from a man sharing the stories of his culture, imbued with the personal observations he’s compiled over time. Additionally, the essay makes one question aspects of Japanese culture and want to learn about the historical context behind certain practices, such as the submissiveness of women or the change Japan has experienced in cities like Tokyo. The light and dark symbolism facilitate these thoughts by breaking down cultural differences into simpler, universal terms. Tanizaki also shares his contemplation about what the word would have been like had Japan been the country that had technological innovation. His thoughts trickle down to the reader’s imagination and raise questions about the extent to which the world has benefited has benefited from Western technology and whether the past was indeed a better time than the present. The essay serves as a hook that makes one want to search deeper into the depths of Japanese culture. Meanwhile, the book is fit for those who want to learn from a historical and academic perspective, and likely attracts those who are already affiliated with appreciation for Japan.