A Night on the Qinhuai
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in Junichiro Tanizaki's literary world
- Nostalgics who love the Jiangnan scenery and urban memory of the Republican era
- Readers of literature and history who wish to understand the image of China from a Japanese man of letters' perspective
- Literary readers who prefer delicate sensory description and an aesthetic, decadent style
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking rigorous historical verification or objective travelogue
- Readers sensitive to colonial-era Orientalist narratives
Reading tips
- Recommended alongside Tanizaki's contemporary novel Naomi to appreciate the consistency of his aesthetic ideas
- Can be read in comparison with Zhu Ziqing's contemporary "Qinhuai River in Oars and Lantern Light" to sense differences in perspective
- The book contains many classical literary allusions; consulting the background appropriately will deepen understanding
About the publisher
Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House is a Chinese publisher specializing in literary publishing. Judging from the 808 titles in the database, its publishing areas cover world classics, foreign literature, social novels, folk literature and classic works, as well as modern and contemporary literature and prose. Representative titles include foreign literary translations such as Anna Karenina, The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, In Praise of Shadows and The Complete Tragedies and Comedies of Shakespeare, alongside classic works by Lao She and Lu Xun such as Camel Xiangzi, Teahouse and Wandering. Its authors and translators include Leo Tolstoy, Cao Ying, Lao She, Yukio Mishima, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki and Zhu Shenghao. The press emphasizes the translation and introduction of classic texts and the compilation of native literary works, giving equal weight to Chinese and foreign literature. Owing to limited public information, its specific series and editorial policies are not elaborated here.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 总序
- 中国旅行
- 南京夫子庙
- 秦淮之夜
- 《苏州纪行》小序
- 苏州纪行
- 中国观剧记
- 西湖之月
- 庐山日记
- 中国的菜肴
- 中国趣味
- 上海见闻录
- 上海交游记
- 译后记
FAQ
Is this book a novel or a travelogue?
Why was Junichiro Tanizaki so fascinated by Jiangnan, China?
Do the scenes described match historical reality?
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About the author
Jun'ichirō Tanizaki was a modern Japanese novelist and a leading representative of aestheticist literature. Born in 1886 into a rice-merchant family in Tokyo, he studied in the Japanese literature department of Tokyo Imperial University before dropping out. In 1910 he made his name with the story "The Tattooer," which brought him attention in literary circles. After the Great Kanto Earthquake, he moved to the Kansai region, and his focus gradually shifted toward classical aesthetics. He left important works in both fiction and prose, including "The Makioka Sisters," "Naomi," "In Praise of Shadows," and "A Portrait of Shunkin." He also translated "The Tale of Genji" into modern Japanese, helping to spread the classical work. He died of kidney disease in 1965. His writing is delicate and refined, and he had a profound influence on modern Japanese aestheticist literature.
Information about Xu Jingbo available to the public is limited, but his writing and translation work centers largely on Chinese and Japanese culture, history, and literature. Ten of his works are held in this collection, spanning a wide range of subjects: documentary works such as The Jianjian Lu: Secret Diplomatic Records of the First Sino-Japanese War, which draws on historical sources to examine modern diplomacy, as well as literary and urban-memory works such as The Boat of the Night at Shirakawa, Night on the Qinhuai River, and The Magic City. The Character of the Japanese and Primal Colors of Kyoto: A Symphony of the Classical and the Modern focus on observing Japanese society and urban culture, tracing connections between classical tradition and contemporary life. His output also includes biographical texts such as The Autobiography of Osugi Sakae: The Monologue of a Rebel, and accounts that recover old stories, such as Their Memories of Shanghai. Overall, his writing emphasizes historical sources and a sense of place, with a restrained tone; he often takes specific people, events, and urban spaces as entry points, presenting the historical textures and cultural experiences of modern East Asia between documentary and literary writing.
