Journal 6

"In Praise of Shadows" describes how one percieves things differently in different lighting.  It shows just hoe effective shadows can be and the ambiance it can create.  It also explains the strong effect the elegant laquerware has on the eyes.  Unfortunately,I have never eaten anything out of authentic laquerware.

 This is an example of intimate lighting which is said to be important in a dining experience

In "Hand work- Machine work" Hildebrand emphasizes the appreciation one should have for hand-made objects as oppsed to mass produced, machine made products.

Machine made

HandmadeIt is obvious which mug is of higher quality.

 All in all, I felt the two readings were both focusing of the importance of quality.  The intense process of handmaking the laquerware coincided with the emphasis Hildebrand put on the value of handmade products as opposed to machine made products.  

Tanizaki, Jun’ichirō (1977). In praise of  shadows. (T.J. Harper and E.G. Seidensticker, trans.) Sedgwich, ME:  Leete’s Island Books, Inc. (original work published in 1933).

Frank, Isabelle (editor) (2000). The theory of decorative art: An anthology of European and American writings 

1750 – 1940. New York: Yale University Press