Jun'ichirō Tanizaki Books
Jun'ichirō Tanizaki (1886–1965) was one of Japan’s most prominent novelists, known for his exploration of aestheticism, sensuality, and the tension between traditional and modern Japanese culture. His major works include Naomi, In Praise of Shadows, and The Makioka Sisters.
Known for: The Makioka Sisters
Books by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
The Makioka Sisters
The Makioka Sisters is a classic Japanese novel by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, depicting the decline of an upper-class Osaka family before and after World War II. The story follows four sisters as they navigate family expectations, love, and changing social values in prewar Japan. It is widely regarded as one of Tanizaki’s masterpieces and a poignant portrayal of tradition and modernity in Japanese society.
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The Decline of the Makioka Family
When the story opens, the Makiokas of Osaka still cling to vestiges of privilege—a fine name, a refined manner, and a legacy that once granted them the comfort of superiority. Yet those signs mean less now. The patriarch has long passed, and with his death, the unity of the household begins to unrav...
From The Makioka Sisters
Yukiko’s Marriage Ordeals and the Vanity of Tradition
Yukiko’s unmarried status is not merely a family concern; it becomes a mirror reflecting the values by which the Makiokas hope to define their worth. Time and again, the sisters arrange meetings with potential husbands—each one a reminder that their social position is fragile. A man from a newer bus...
From The Makioka Sisters
About Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
Jun'ichirō Tanizaki (1886–1965) was one of Japan’s most prominent novelists, known for his exploration of aestheticism, sensuality, and the tension between traditional and modern Japanese culture. His major works include Naomi, In Praise of Shadows, and The Makioka Sisters.
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Jun'ichirō Tanizaki (1886–1965) was one of Japan’s most prominent novelists, known for his exploration of aestheticism, sensuality, and the tension between traditional and modern Japanese culture. His major works include Naomi, In Praise of Shadows, and The Makioka Sisters.
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