A Storytelling Principle from Japanese Architecture (Jun'Ichiro Tanizaki)
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- Опубликовано: 27 мар 2024
- In 1933 a Japanese fiction author wrote an essay on the aesthetics of traditional Japan viewed through the lens of architecture and light called "In Praise of Shadows". In it, Tanizaki gives us a principle grapple with in our own writing, and in our understanding of beauty.
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In writing, I don't think the argument is for hiding things in shadows, but for placing the idea out of frame so only the shadow is seen. The indirect effects of the eaves, and the shape of their shadows are seen and felt on an otherwise empty room.
I think you're right. With Tanizaki's essay, he doesn't offer up much specificity. Just like the principle he's espousing he leaves it to the reader to consider the value and implementation. That's why I couldn't go down that rabbit hole of plot hole versus shadow. Just digging into the possibilities of utilization and interpretation is a delightful exercise all its own.
@@jholtillus Thanks, I'm glad you left it open to discussion, it gave me something to comment on.
I wonder if you can understand and apply something symbolic without converting it into the rational sphere. Do you lose or gain accuracy? or does the process of interpretation give you a better understanding of the original argument?
The rabbit holes are endless.
Just found your channel and I'm already in love with it! The way you zoom out to search for the bigger picture of an idea and explore a concept while drawing connections to other aspects of art and ways of looking at the world is something I've been fascinated ever since I started finding those patterns myself. Thanks for being weird!
on the end with the bit about mysteries and leaving things open to interpretation, i think thats why one of my fave books, house of leaves, works so well. not only is it just fantastic in and of itself, but every bit of it is steeped in mysteries that are never solved. it leaves room for speculation and interpretation yes, but it also keeps you thinking about it long after you read
I know you were concerned about letting this topic gesrate too long. However, I think you crushed it. Great video.
Thanks very much! The hope is always to be an adequate evangelist for the thing I'm talking about. It's great whether I present it well or not, so I'm just trying to live up to it. Glad that seems to have worked this time.
i wasn´t expecting a video like this at all, i´ve seen your videos talking about elements in comic book writing and your videos talking about financing your proyects, i didn´t know anything about this essay but i want to read it know, you explained it beautifully, hopefully you make more videos about writing and story telling, i loved this, you are an inspiration dude, 😅 its not an exaggeration, i love your videos.
Stuff like this is the kind of videos I most enjoy making, so I'll definitely keep making them. Thank you for the vote of confidence! It helps a lot to hear feedback.
Listening to this at work, I kept finding myself looking up at the corners of the brightly lit office as if I could see any bit of what this Japanese man saw in the corners of a traditional home. I don't think I did, but very interesting all the same.
I'd love to hear you talk more about subtlety in writing!
Reading this book made me look at my surroundings differently. Thank for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed it
I really like how you described elegance vs convenience and the need to sacrifice "something impractical, yet valuable" to have a more modern or convenient way of life. It's the closest I've found to how to put my own observations into words. There's actually a lot to be said about this and I don't know where to start, but I can see why this book has stuck with you for so long. From a storytelling perspective, I completely agree that less is oftentimes more and would welcome more videos about this topic. And I think there is a clear distinction between there being a plot hole and the author just leaving something up to the reader's imagination or trusting the reader to put two and two together without showing their work in how to add it up. (If you want another wonderful example of an author trusting the audience (and you enjoy a good fantasy novel) then check out The Witch King by Martha Wells. Her world-building and characterization are so understated, yet so vibrant.)
Anyway, thank you for sharing this book and the lessons within. You've definitely given me things to think about and I look forward to your next video!
All good thoughts. I appreciate this thoughtful response. There's definitely much further to unpack (on the topic of what leaving mystery means) and hopefully I'll get a chance to dig deeper on it. Thanks for the book recommendation too, I'll definitely look into it.
This video was so captivating, I was quite sad when it was over. Reminds me of the original Ghost in the Shell vs the US version that tried to explain everything. It completely ruined everything good about the movie. Really nice find on the book and your presentation was great.
That's a very kind review. Thank you very much and yes, I think you see a lot of this in contemporary Japanese culture. It's beautiful to think the tradition is carried on.
Great essay thanks!
Thank you for watching! A video like this isn't bound to be a crowd pleaser, so I'm glad if anyone gets some value from it.
When your videos upload it is always a highlight of my day, keep up the great work dude!
Thank you very much!
this was very interesting, actually might get the book
It's a great one. The most aesthetic grouchy assessment of culture and beauty on the market
You're welcome. Keep me coming.
em" - hand over face -
Ha, I remember this essay... the toilet part! 😂
An eternal classic.
In seriousness though, I read it like 25 years ago, part of a Japanese art history class, glad u brought it back to memory and summarized it so well. Came up a few days later in a writing session with a client! Leaving dark areas in a story by design, balancing clarity with obscurity. Grateful for that reminder.
It reminds me of the Calvin and Hobbes noodle incident. Which sounds so juvenile after your thoughtful video. For any one unfamiliar with it, there is a literature trope named off of the noodle incident. The characters refer to an event that the reader doesn’t know about that happened prior off “screen”. This creates a sense of mystery and depth for the world and characters. The void and mystery is better than anything the author could fill it with. Here’s a video about it ruclips.net/video/06BUGWthQ70/видео.htmlsi=TFHM3yBY-NdG3xXE
No that's perfect. Since I'm trying to apply the concept in my own comic writing you've given a great example of how this functions at a different level than somber literature.
Any Chance you going to be at Louisvillecon?
Unfortunately not. I'm not able to do any cons this Spring.