I don't think I fully understand this one. I found it puzzling and somewhat annoying... when I finished reading, I noticed that the back cover called it a "hilarious" story... I didn't realize it was supposed to be funny, and I guess I didn't see the humor on the first reading. I think I need to learn more about Japanese culture in the 1920s to understand the humor and the social commentary in the novel.

All that said, the characters were certainly well-developed and complex, and the storyline did keep me interested. I picked it up because one of my students recommended it and wants to do an independent reading project on it, so I look forward to learning more and understanding the novel better.

Naomi is a character so controversial that she spawned a social movement in Japan: Naomi-ism. She represented a sea change in the state of Japanese womanhood, a shift from timidness to temerity, a strong pull toward Western mores and fashions.

However, for all her archetypal significance, Naomi is not likable. Neither, for that matter, is Jōji. They are the unfortunate byproducts of a society of split cultural allegiances--some clinging to traditional Japanese expectations and others siphoning off the glitziest bits of Western culture. Jōji is simultaneously seduced and repulsed by this. He finds Naomi's Western name and appearance fascinating, yet clings to the belief that "Japanese should marry Japanese." Yet he spends hours each day drilling Naomi on her English lessons, sometimes resorting to verbal abuse when she misspeaks. He is a ball of cultural confusion.

Naomi is more (or, perhaps more accurately, less) than a symbol of Westernization. She is also cunning, promiscuous, manipulative, deceitful, and disloyal. However, because we witness this strange marriage through Jōji's eyes only, we can only guess at the depths of his neurosis. This is a man who fantasizes about crawling around with Naomi on his back like a child riding a horse, who takes her in at age fifteen to "raise her" with the intention of one day marrying her. There is a decidedly unnerving father-daughter dynamic between them (Naomi calls him "Papa"). However, despite having been cuckolded on countless occasions, Jōji is hardly a victim, as evidenced by the following scene: "I hadn't expected her to be so quick to beg forgiveness. Taken by surprise, I grew even more enraged. I began to pummel her with my fists" (170).

Like "La Confession Impudique" (known as "The Key" in English), "Naomi" peels away layers of artifice to expose marital nitty-gritty. It is the novel that put Tanizaki on the map. The narrative traverses the peaks and valleys of this strange, dysfunctional relationship, never falling into the trap of vilifying one spouse to sanctify the other.

This is interesting, but it's also torturously a complete train wreck that you're watching happen. But the characters are fairly intriguing.

DELVING into themes of obsession, desire, and cultural clashes in early 20th-century Japan, this book is secretly one of my favourite books ever. The story follows Joji, a middle-aged salaryman, and his infatuation with Naomi, a young and alluring café waitress. Through their tumultuous relationship, Tanizaki explores the complexities of desire, the dynamics of power, and the clash between traditional Japanese values and Western influence.

The novel reflects Tanizaki's fascination with the changing social landscape of Japan during the Taisho period (1912-1926), marked by extreme rapid modernisation, Westernisation, and shifts in traditional gender roles. Tanizaki, known for his exploration of eroticism and the intricacies of human relationships, uses Naomi to examine the impact of Western culture on Japanese society and the conflict between tradition and modernity.

The relevance of the novel to Tanizaki's life lies in his own interest in Western culture and his critique of Japan's rapid embrace of Western values. Through the character of Naomi, a symbol of Westernised femininity and allure, Tanizaki dissects the allure of Western culture and its influence on Japanese society, challenging traditional notions of beauty and relationships.

When Naomi was released in 1924, it received mixed reactions. Some readers found the novel provocative and insightful, praising Tanizaki's exploration of cultural clashes and the portrayal of the changing dynamics in Japanese society. However, others criticized the novel for its portrayal of the protagonist's obsession and the controversial depiction of a relationship characterised by power imbalances.

The underlying meanings and metaphors in Naomi are multifaceted, but that’s what I like so much about it. As mentioned, the character of Naomi symoolizes Westernised femininity and represents the allure of modernity. Through Joji's infatuation, Tanizaki critiques societal norms, explores the complexities of desire and rejection. The novel also serves as a commentary on the clash between tradition and modernisation, reflecting the societal tensions prevalent in Japan during that era.

Now here’s a little more ramble for the people reading this who are interested in Japanese literary figures.

This story sparked in me a deep interest in the way Tanizaki chose to portray the Japanese dilemma, and it reminded me of a friendly feud that he had with his friend Ryunosuke Akutagawa, about their differing views on the role of art and literature.

Tanizaki leaned toward a more sensual and exploratory approach, often incorporating elements that challenged societal norms and traditional values, as seen very easily in this book, which is why I chose to talk about it here rather than in my other reviews of Tanizaki’s works. On the other hand, Akutagawa's works tended to delve into psychological depth and existential dilemmas, exploring the human condition through intricate narratives.

The disagreements between Tanizaki and Akutagawa were more philosophical or aesthetic in nature, reflecting their differing artistic approaches rather than specific critiques of each other's works- they were friends and spent time together. Akutagawa's intellectual and philosophical depth contrasted with Tanizaki's more sensual and exploratory themes, potentially leading to differences in their perspectives on literature and art.

Their respective writing styles, themes, and approaches to literature were distinct, even though they were part of the same literary landscape.

The contrast in their writing styles and artistic philosophies contributed to the diversity and richness of Japanese literature during that period, showcasing the multifaceted nature of literary expression in Japan- and more importantly, awoke my (very belated) interest in literature and Japanese history as a whole.

A painful love story about a middle-aged Japanese man who raises a teenager to be a society woman, but encounters more than he bargained for when she turns out to have retained her slum breeding behavior. It reminds me a little of Lolita, only Naomi uses her power over her lover more than Lolita did.

It is stunning how accurately the author has observed and prefigured certain developments in society as well as individual roles and choices.