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.