Regine C.

Ballarez BSE-English Novel Written Report Title: The Key Author: Junichiro Tanizaki About the Author: Junichiro Tanizaki was born in Nihombashi, , Japan His family owned a printing press Despite financial problems, his parents pampered him and took him to countless theatrical performances, which early gave birth to the author's passion for drama and the traditional Japanese arts. Tanizaki's studies at the university of Tokyo ended in 1910 in shortage of money - or according to some sources his non-payment of fees was an act of rebellion At the age of 24 he published one of his best short stories, 'The Tattooer', which show influence of Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde and the French Decadents Tanizaki'a first novel from this period, serialized in the mid-20's, was CHIJIN NO AI (1924, Naomi, translated into English in 1985)
The turning point in Tanizaki's life was the great earthquake in Tokyo region in 1923. His house in the fashionable residential area was leveled by the quake. Tanizaki left his wife and child and moved to the Osaka area which was much older fashioned.

The Key was written in 1956 The key was written after the world war II

Philosophy/beliefs Arrange marriage- the marriage of the couple was arranged by their parents. In the story marriage of the couple was only arranged by their parents. Ie- family system embracing not only the structure of the family but the bonds uniting its members, the family assets, and the activities connected with it. In the story we noticed that the family are not close to each other especially the couple, they could not tell to each other their feelings. The couple could not talk or discuss the problems of their relationship. The diary of the couple serves as their communication. They express their feelings towards each other by writing their feelings to their diary. Five elements Chi (earth) is predominantly associated with stubbornness, stability, physicality, and gravity. In the mind, it is confidence; and emotionally it is a desire to have things remain

as they are; a resistance to change. When under the influence of this chi mode or "mood", we are aware of our own physicality and sureness of action. Ka (Fire) Bodily, ka represents our metabolism and body heat, and in the mental and emotional realms, it represents drive and passion. ka can be associated with motivation, desire, intention, and an outgoing spirit. Besides the obvious examples of heat and flame, lightning can also be thought of as an extension of Ka. In the story the husband is voyeur; he always wanted to see the nudity of his wife. He has a sexual desire to his wife. Same with Ikuku, because of the desire of making love, she let her husband to make her drunk so that her husband will have a wild sex to her. Because of her unsatisfied to her husband she also has a desire to her daughters fianc. F (wind) represents breathing, and the internal processes associated with respiration. Mentally and emotionally, it represents an "open-minded" attitude and carefree feeling. It can be associated with will, elusiveness, evasiveness, benevolence, compassion, and wisdom. : in the story the couple has a knowledge about the diaries of each other. The couple knows what the problems of their relationship are. Sui(water) can be associated with emotion, defensiveness- Ikuku is very defensive to her husband by explaining her doings in her diary because she knows that her husband can able to read what she have written to her diary. Ku (Heaven) is associated with power- in Japan the husband has the power or superiority in the family.