Junichiro Tanizaki

Junichiro Tanizaki (1886-1965) was one of Japan’s foremost authors of the twentieth century, writing in both fiction and non-fiction to explore Japanese culture and identity. In his works, Tanizaki often utilized subtle and suggestive narration to challenge traditional Japanese ideas and confront contemporary issues. He is best known for such works as Naomi, The Makioka Sisters, Some Prefer Nettles, and the controversial The Bridge of Dreams.

Tanizaki was born in Tokyo on July 24th, 1886. He came from a wealthy family and was only able to attend elementary school and was unable to attend higher levels of education due to his family’s status. During his youth, he also studied Chinese and wrote for various magazines. In 1910 he released his first novel, School Transfer, and the following year married Matsuko.

In his works, Tanizaki wrote about various topics including gender, marriage, and family life. He believed that in order to understand the modern world, one must understand its history. As such, Tanizaki often utilized traditional elements in his works such as kabuki, ukiyo-e, and haikus, while also exploring controversial themes such as eroticism in Naomi and the semi-autobiographical In Praise of Shadows.

The 1920s and 1930s were incredibly productive for Tanizaki, who wrote some of his most famous novels such as Some Prefer Nettles and The Makioka Sisters. These works depicted the decline of traditional forms of Japanese life as technology and westernization become increasingly prevalent. In his 1932 story The Bridge of Dreams, Tanizaki explored eroticism and the tensions between the love of western culture and the yearning for traditional Japanese values. This story was so controversial that some people destroyed their copies of the book because of its subject matter.

Tanizaki continued to write novels during the 1940s and 50s, but his work increasingly reflected the framework of Japan’s new, conservative government. This shift in focus was evident in his later works such as The Key, and Diary of a Mad Old Man which were less explorations of traditional elements and more focused on religious themes and emphasizing traditional values.

Tanizaki’s works often explore Japan and its culture as viewed through a modern lens. He is remembered for his subtle and suggestive nature as a storyteller whose works often challenged traditional beliefs and confronted issues of modern society. His novels remain classics of Japanese literature, beloved by readers across the world and deeply influencing those who pursue writing today.