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In Praise of Shadows (1933) by Jun’ichirō Tanizaki is an essay that celebrates the beauty of traditional Japanese aesthetics, especially the interplay of light and shadow in art, architecture, and everyday objects.

Tanizaki contrasts Japan’s preference for subtle, dim lighting and textures with the bright transparency often favored in the West, illustrating how shadow and depth bring out the imperfect, transient beauty of things. His reflections extend from the glow of candlelight on paper screens to the rustic charm of handmade ceramics, all underscoring how cultural values shape aesthetic choices. Ultimately, Tanizaki’s work highlights how beauty is found not in objects alone but in the atmosphere around them.

Published in Denmark by Forlaget Korridor and translated by Mette Holm.