Monday, May 5, 2025

In Praise of Shadows: Items Mentioned (and some that weren't)

 Traditional Japanese toilet (from Shofuso).


Traditional Japanese bath (from Shofuso).


A more "modern" Japanese toilet in an old-fashioned room (much like Tanizaki described).


A Noh actor (woman's role)


A Kabuki actor (face painted)


Miso soup in a lacquer bowl



This is a traditional Japanese lamp in a modern design. I chose the photo because it demonstrates something like what Tanizaki was trying to describe. Needless to say, this lantern has an electric bulb. Think if it had a candle or oil wick inside. 


This Wikipedia article has lots of images of shoji (translucent paper sliding doors). 

Tanizaki talks about how traditional Japanese houses are open to nature:


And here's a Wikipedia article about kotatsu (room heaters)


Wikipedia re: "irori" (sunken hearth)


Here's a website that sells Japanese paper, made in traditional ways from traditional materials (such as mulberry bark)


More than you ever wanted to know about Japanese jade


Japanese crystals


Yokan (sweet)


Blackend teeth (ohaguro): nice article by an expert


The statue of the Bodhisattva Kannon that Tanizaki mentioned:




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