Skip to product information
1 of 1

Junichiro Tanizaki

In Praise of Shadows: Vintage Design Edition

In Praise of Shadows: Vintage Design Edition

💎 Earn 53 Points (£0.53) on this item.

Regular price £10.70 GBP
Regular price £14.99 GBP Sale price £10.70 GBP
Sale Sold out
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

YOU SAVE £4.29

  • Condition: Brand new
  • UK Delivery times: Usually arrives within 2 - 3 working days
  • UK Shipping: Fee starts at £2.39. Subject to product weight & dimension

Bulk ordering. Want 15 or more copies? Get a personalised quote and bigger discounts. Learn more about bulk orders.

  • More about In Praise of Shadows: Vintage Design Edition

Junichiro Tanizaki's essay "In Praise of Shadows" is a fully illustrated, beautifully produced edition that explores the beauty of Japanese culture through the patterns of shadows, light, and darkness. It teaches us to see the beauty in tarnished metal, unglazed pottery, and organic materials and warns against the quest for airbrushed perfection. The text is accompanied by specially selected images to complement Tanizaki's reflections.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2019
Publisher: Vintage Publishing


Junichiro Tanizaki's profound and evocative essay on Japanese culture is brought to life in this stunningly illustrated edition. Through his masterful storytelling, Tanizaki invites readers to explore a mysterious and tranquil world of darkness and shadows, where gold flashes in the gloom and a deep stillness reigns. This book serves as a portal, guiding readers through a realm where the faded, the worthless, and the dim are transformed into objects of beauty.

In Praise of Shadows is a poetic celebration of traditional Japanese aesthetics, encompassing a wide range of subjects such as architecture, theater, cooking, and lighting. Tanizaki teaches us to appreciate the beauty in tarnished metal, the somber dignity in unglazed pottery, and the primacy of organic materials that bear witness to the regular touch of human hands. What makes this work particularly remarkable is its astonishing prescience, offering a gentle warning against the pursuit of airbrushed perfection and reminding us of the harmful effects of excessive light pollution on our natural world.

In this special edition, the text is accompanied by specially selected images that complement Tanizaki's reflections and further illustrate the intricate patterns and beauty of shadows. Each image is carefully chosen to enhance the reader's experience and deepen their understanding of Tanizaki's message. Whether you are a lover of literature, art, or Japanese culture, In Praise of Shadows is a must-read that will leave you inspired and enlightened.

Weight: 266g
Dimension: 198 x 130 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784875572

This item can be found in:

UK and International shipping information

UK Delivery and returns information:

  • Delivery within 2 - 3 days when ordering in the UK.
  • Shipping fee for UK customers from £2.39. Fully tracked shipping service available.
  • Returns policy: Return within 30 days of receipt for full refund.

International deliveries:

Shulph Ink now ships to Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, India, Luxembourg Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, United States of America.

  • Delivery times: within 5 - 10 days for international orders.
  • Shipping fee: charges vary for overseas orders. Only tracked services are available for most international orders. Some countries have untracked shipping options.
  • Customs charges: If ordering to addresses outside the United Kingdom, you may or may not incur additional customs and duties fees during local delivery.
View full details