Naomi by Junichiro Tanizaki

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Naomi by Junichiro Tanizaki
Read Nov 2017


Joji is a salaryman who is enamored by a European looking Japanese girl, Naomi. He decides to groom her to be the perfect partner and marries her when she turns fifteen.

Joji is obsessed with 2 things, all things Western and Naomi’s body.  His lust for Naomi knows no ends and becomes enslaved to Naomi as her demands for luxuries increases.

Naomi blossoms from a child to a young desirable lady. Joji acquiesces to her material demands in order to keep up with her. On the other hand, he aspires to groom her to be a socialite, just like the Western actresses that he adores. The disparity begins to show when Joji stagnates in his current situation while Naomi moves up the social ladder under the auspices of Joji.

Unknown to Joji, Naomi lives a secret life with multiple partners visiting her while Joji is at work. Joji’s long suffering younger friend who is also in love with Naomi encouraged Joji to let go of the relationship. Joji kicks Naomi out of the marital home but continues to pine for her.

The turning point in Joji’s resolve was when his mother dies suddenly of a stroke. Contrary to promising to live a decent live, Joji submits himself to Naomi’s seduction once again. He gives up everything and allows Naomi back into his life.

Joji is a worshipper of anything Western without considering the merits of his decision. Although he speaks as though he is giving Naomi a new lease of life from her life of poverty, it is just an excuse for his own lust. He is capricious in his attitude towards his object of devotion but lust wins the day. He ends the story by saying that he doesn’t care what happens as long as his object of obsession is within reach always.

The character is very much a reflection of the author himself. A devotee to all things western, Tanazaki is also a lady’s man. Thankfully the language is that of the early 1900s or else it would border on porn. If the book is able to give a peek into pre-war Japan, one can see that Japan was outward looking and its young people embraced the future and the world out there.


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