Childhood Years: A Memoir

In this memoir, Japanese novelist Tanizaki Jun’ichiro writes of his early years growing up in Tokyo in the late 19th century and early 20th century, before the city was destroyed by the 1923 earthquake. An introduction by the translator gives an overview of the novelist’s life and career and points to themes from his writing to look for in the memoir, such as images of women as mother, femme fatale, and harlot, as well as themes of ambiguous sexuality and homosexuality. B&w historical photos and illustrations are included. The memoir was originally published serially in a Japanese literary magazine in the mid-1950s. Annotation ©2018 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)