Upcoming Events
ONLINE EVENT - The Japan Society Book Club: Quicksand by Jun'ichiro Tanizaki

Date
Monday 12 May 2025
Time
7.00pm (BST)
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Booking Details
Online meeting on Zoom
Please register for the meeting in advance from the link below. After registering, you will receive a automated confirmation email with meeting access details (please check your spam folder if you don't receive any emails).
Free for members of The Japan Society
Book available from Bookshop.org, Amazon, and Waterstones (translated by Howard Hibbett)
Japanese version available here
Quicksand is a psychological novel set in 1920s Osaka, exploring themes of love, obsession, and manipulation. The story is narrated by Sonoko, a married woman who becomes romantically involved with Mitsuko, a beautiful and enigmatic young woman. Their intense and turbulent affair entangles Sonoko’s husband, Kotaro, and Watanuki, Mitsuko’s fiancé, in a web of jealousy, deceit, and power struggles. As the relationships grow increasingly destructive, the characters are drawn into a metaphorical quicksand of emotional and moral collapse.
Jun’ichiro Tanizaki (1886-1965) was a prominent Japanese author born in Tokyo. He graduated from Tokyo Imperial University but left before completing his degree. Tanizaki’s literary career began in 1910 with his short story The Tattooer, which gained immediate attention. His major works include In Praise of Shadows, Naomi, and The Makioka Sisters, showcasing a range of themes including aesthetics, desire, and traditional versus modern cultural values. He received numerous accolades, including the Imperial Prize of the Japan Art Academy. Tanizaki’s works remain central to the study of modern Japanese literature.
If you have any questions, please call The Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email events@japansociety.org.uk.