In Praise of Shadows

by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki

there is always a blackness to our imaginations, but they make the ghosts as bright as glass.

The enterprising Westerner, however, never ceases to hope for better conditions. From candles to lamps, from lamps to gas lamps, from gas lamps to electric lights, they are constantly seeking brightness and struggling to get rid of the slightest shadow.

I would like to revive the world of shadows that we have already lost, at least in the realm of literature. I want to narrow the eaves of the temple, darken the walls, and remove the unnecessary decorations from the interior walls. There should be at least one house in the same category. I'd like to turn off the electric light to see how it works.