For kaname and misako have acquired a modern outlook and for some time have equivocated and deliberated over the divorce they should secure since kaname has. It is not an unusual topic in modern japanese literature, quite the opposite, but i still find it interesting. In many ways, from local accent to clothing, the central characters assume roles they need and can hardly bear, making the storys structure a. These traditions have also evolved over a period of thousands of years. Published in japanese in 192829 as tade kuu mushi, the novel is generally considered one of the authors finest works. Set in japan in the 1930s, the book takes an intimate look at how a couple kaname and misako, are living through a disintegrating marriage. His other works include the makioka sisters 1943 48, some prefer nettles 1928, arrowroot 1931 and a portrait of shunkin 1933. Some prefer nettles is a straightforward novel, meaning that the story is quite simple. Im looking forward to reading this and discussing it with our group. Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki translated by edward g. In kaname, tanizaki has created a superfluous hero worthy of being the successor to futabateis bunzo utsumi although hes a little nastier than the hero of ukigumo.
Some prefer nettles download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Some prefer nettles is a 1929 novel by junichiro tanizaki. The story is constructed around kaname and misako, a married couple who, for a number of years, have been husband and wife in little more than name. In some prefer nettles, tanizaki addressed this theme through the main character, kaname. Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki goodreads. An autobiographical novel by modern japanese author junichiro tanizaki, some prefer nettles anticipated a common theme of postworld war ii japanese novels in examining the conflict between traditional and westernized culture in japan. The dilatory dilemma of kaname and misako serves to point up not only the disaffection of a marriage but of a culture, in which the new ways of the western world, in contemporary japan, have intruded on the old traditions of the east. The protagonist, kaname, considers himself to be a modern man in a modern marriage. It is within this part of the paper, we would like to look at the many traditions, identities and modernities in japan and in the book, some prefer nettles by junichoro tanizaki. Some prefer nettles junichiro tanizaki 1001 books to. Kaname is the main character, and most of the story is told from his point of view.
How is geography related to tension between old and new. Some prefer nettles, autobiographical novel by tanizaki junichiro, published in japanese in 192829 as tade kuu mushi. The marriage of kaname and misako is disintegrating. However, it is the second choice that made some prefer nettles worth reading. The some prefer nettles study guide includes the following sections. Junichiro tanizaki, tanizaki junichiro, 24 july 1886 30 july 1965 was one of the major writers of modern japanese literature, and perhaps the most popular. The novel, some prefer nettles, by junichiro tanizaki, depicts the story of a troubled couple living in the taisho period of japan. Fiona campbells top 10 books set in japan books the. Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki overdrive. Confronting the outside and recreating tradition some prefer nettles tanizaki junichiro 18861965 key queries 1. Some prefer nettles is an ethereally suggestive, psychologically complex exploration of the crisis every culture faces as it hurtles headfirst into modernity.
This is partially to conform to social standards but also to avoid the pain. It is perfectly structured, lyrical, rife with insights, multilayered, and composed of terrific and realistic dialogue. Its my first novel by tanizaki, although i read and loved his nonfiction book, in search of shadows earlier this year. One common tradition that may seem very visible to outsiders is the traditional japanese dress of the kimono. No longer attracted to one another, they have long since stopped sleeping together and. Some prefer nettles is a great work of beauty and art that so captures the universal themes of the lonely and loveless while also addressing the struggles between the east and west throughout japan.
Kara some prefer nettles is about kaname and misako, a married couple that is no longer in love. It originally appeared as a newspaper serial, and it is generally considered one of the authors finest works. Start your 48hour free trial to unlock this some prefer nettles study guide and get instant access to the following summary. Kaname and his wife misako have been married for about ten years but they are both tired of their marriage, misako has even fallen in. They are thoroughly modern western influenced tokyo types and they havent the energy to stop the rot. In some prefer nettles tanizaki gives us a charming 1930s couple, kaname and misako, who are dripping towards divorce. Anticipating a common theme of postworld war ii japanese novels, some prefer nettles examines the conflict between traditional and modern i. In the meantime he had some fun with a foreign whore and indulged in some quite weird thoughts about the companion of his wifes father ohisa. Tanizakis later work some prefer nettles, also addresses themes of identity. The novel some prefer nettles describes the differences in the regions between tokyo and osaka. History teaches us that where there is demand, new industries are born. Tanizakis characteristic irony, eroticism, and psychological undertones make some. Tanizaki junichirou bungou stray dogs tanizaki junichirou bungou to alchemist tanizaki naomi.
Analysis and discussion of characters in junichiro tanizakis some prefer nettles. Junichiro tanizakis some prefer nettles is an exquisitely nuanced exploration of the allure of ancient japanese traditionand the profound disquiet that accompanied its. Seidensticker is a mere 151 pages long but the depth it takes readers is sheer mastery. Some prefer nettles vintage classics kindle edition by. Shinju, the characters for mind and centre means double suicide in japanese, as in shinju ten no amijima the love suicides at amijima, written by the seventeenthcentury tragedian chikamatsu monzaemon for the puppet theatre bunraku andor joruri theatre. Some prefer nettles is an excellent read, a slowmoving, psychologicallyintense work although if pages of descriptions of puppet shows are not your thing, you may disagree. Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki the 475th. This study guide consists of approximately 32 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of some prefer nettles. These celebrations make up the many traditions within japanese culture that arent as visible as the kimono. Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki rakuten kobo. Most japanese traditions involve every aspect of japanese life. The novel is often regarded as the most autobiographical of tanizakis works and one of his finest novels the japanese title of the novel is literally water peppereating bugs, and is the first half of the. Some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki librarything.
Some prefer nettles character descriptions for teachers. He was awarded an imperial award for cultural merit in 1949 and. Tanizaki junichiro some prefer nettles michelle bailat. Seen from this perspective, some prefer nettles is a carefully controlled juxtaposition of contrasting images, characters and. The story takes place in japan with influence by the east and west culture, which was seen observed with the actions activities by the characters in the story leroy, 2007.
Read some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki available from rakuten kobo. In doing so, tanizaki has created an embodiment of the restless youth of japan, who dismiss traditional culture as obsolescent, a tiresome set of formalities. Some prefer nettles character descriptions junichiro tanizaki this set of lesson plans consists of approximately pages of tests, essay questions, lessons, and other teaching materials. A description of key characters in some prefer nettles. Still, when the back cover copy discusses in some detail a character who doesnt even turn up in the last third of the book, it affects my reading. It is the 1920s in tokyo, and kaname and his wife misako are trapped in a parody of a progressive western marriage. Some prefer nettles by tanizaki junichiro hows the road. The husband, kaname, and the wife, misako, are both frustrated with their unhappy marriage, struggling over the decision of divorce while keeping it a secret from everyone but kanames cousin, takanatsu. The novels other characters, including kanames wife, his lover, his fatherinlaw, and even the cities in which they live, all symbolize the modern and ancient ways of life in japan. Tanizakis characteristic irony, eroticism, and psychological undertones make some prefer nettles an exceptional and compelling read. Junichiro tanizaki some prefer nettles translated by edward g.
Seidensticker, some prefer nettles is a great novel. Some prefer nettles translated by edward seidensticker is set in the. For some reason, i thought that some prefer nettles would be a lot like naomi, which was a more in depth analysis of how traditional japanese characters take it upon themselves to changes their lives into what they consider western norms and. Although not as great as some prefer nettles and as humorous as naomi, quicksand is a work worthy of examination. In common parlance shinju is used to refer to any group suicide of persons bound by love, typically lovers, parents and. Junichiro tanizakis some prefer nettles is an exquisitely nuanced exploration of the allure of ancient japanese traditionand the profound disquiet that accompanied its passing.
Some prefer nettles translated by edward seidensticker is set in the kansai region of japan, the gritty polar opposite of the cultured kanto area around tokyo. It was first published in 19289 as a newspaper serial. Seidensticker 1995, vintage international, 202 pages tanizaki 18861965, one of the most famous of all japanese novelists, is probably best known for his big novel the. Some prefer nettles, autobiographical novel by tanizaki junichiro, published. This is the main, plotcarrying conflict in some prefer nettles kanames want of divorce vs kanames inability to act upon his decision. This is the discussion thread for our july 2017 read, some prefer nettles by junichiro tanizaki. Both are having affairs, both are interested in divorce, but both are putting off the end of the marriage. The novels other characters, including his wife, mistress, and fatherinlaw, and. Tanizaki also published translations of the japanese classic the tale of genji.
It is the contrast between traditional japan as known before the war and the westernised japan, as the influence of europe and america started to creep in. The novels other characters, including his wife, mistress. Some prefer nettles is not at all a badly written book, but unfortunately there was nothing in the story or characters i could relate to. Thus it stands to reason that we must create new industries by making clear the latent needs that are generated along with the advent of the aging society. All his most important works were written after 1923, among them some prefer nettles 1929, the secret history of the lord of musashi 1935, several modern versions of the tale of genji 1941, 1954 and 1965, the makioka sisters, the key 1956 and diary of a mad old man 1961.
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