Jun'ichirō Tanizaki was a prominent figure in Japanese literature, known for his exploration of traditional themes and the complexities of human desire. His diverse body of work includes novels, novellas, short stories, plays, and essays, all reflecting his fascination with dominant women and Japanese culture. From his early years in Tokyo to his later life in the Kansai region, Tanizaki's personal experiences deeply influenced his writing.

Early Life and Education

Born to a family that owned a struggling printing business, Tanizaki spent his formative years in the Nihonbashi area of Tokyo. His mother, noted for her beauty, captivated him from a young age, a theme that would later permeate his writings. Despite being bullied in school, his precocious intellect was recognized by a teacher who introduced him to the classics of Japanese and Chinese literature, instilling in him an early appreciation for literary traditions. Excelling academically, he attended the First Municipal High School in Tokyo before studying Japanese literature at Tokyo Imperial University. Although financial difficulties prevented him from completing his degree, he turned to writing as a career, contributing to the student literary magazine Shinshichō (New Thought Tides).

Career Beginnings

Tanizaki's literary career took off in 1910 with two plays, but it was "The Tattooer" in 1911 that truly marked his debut. This Poe-like story of a tattooer obsessed with the transformation of a courtesan's beauty garnered praise from Nagai Kafū, a respected writer-critic. Tanizaki's early works, often characterized by themes of "diabolism" (akumashugi), drew inspiration from the works of Baudelaire, Wilde, and Poe, reflecting his fascination with the macabre and perverse.

Personal Life and Literary Themes

Tanizaki's first marriage in 1915 was fraught with complexity, ending in divorce by 1930. His wife's affair with his friend Haruo Sato and his own attraction to his sister-in-law Seiko added layers of personal turmoil that he explored in his writings. Stories like Itansha no kanashimi (Sorrows of a Heretic) and "Longing for Mother" reflect his preoccupations with relationships, idealized motherhood, and the dominance of women. During this period, he also experimented with playwriting and filmmaking, delving into themes of guilt and desire in works like "The Thief" and "Aguri."

Transformation and Western Influence

The catastrophic Kantō earthquake in 1923 led Tanizaki to relocate to the Osaka region, where he began writing Naomi, a novel about transforming a Japanese bar girl into a sophisticated woman. This work highlights his intrigue with Western culture, contrasting with his earlier stories rooted in Japanese tradition. His fascination with Western aesthetics is evident, yet his move to Kansai gradually reignited his appreciation for traditional Japanese culture.

Rediscovering Tradition

Living near Kobe, Tanizaki embraced the fading traditions of the Kansai region, which inspired works like Manji and Some Prefer Nettles. These novels explore complex relationships and reflect his deepening interest in Japanese customs, language, and history. Some Prefer Nettles specifically portrays a man's realization of the beauty in traditional relationships, influenced by his interactions with his wife and her lover.

Later Years and Continued Exploration

In 1931, Tanizaki married a Kansai woman, but soon became enamored with Matsuko Morita, who inspired works like "A Blind Man’s Tale" and The Secret History of the Lord of Musashi. His essays, such as "In Praise of Shadows," express a preference for traditional aesthetics over modernism. The Makioka Sisters, chronicling the decline of an Osaka family, faced wartime censorship but later cemented his legacy. Post-war, he returned to themes of sensuality and idealism in works like The Key and Diary of a Mad Old Man.

Legacy and Literary Craft

Tanizaki's career is often analyzed...