"We do not dislike everything that shines, but we do prefer a pensive luster to a shallow brilliance, a murky light that, whether in a stone or an artifact, bespeaks a sheen of antiquity."

So wrote Junichiro Tanizaki in his poetic essay, In Praise of Shadows, eight decades ago. Tanizaki was bemoaning aspects of the Westernisation of Japan and the excesses that this sometimes entailed. The Japanese tradition (perhaps state of mind) of Wabi Sabi, which privileged the natural and the simple (including ideas such as impermanence, humility, imperfection and asymmetry) stands fairly obviously in opposition to a sizeable chunk of modernity. The author explores the idea of shadow (on a simple level, the absence of bright artificial light) and the manner in which Japanese traditionally learnt to live with darkness or dimness before the advent of electricity.

My experience of Japan in the modern era has borne out the author's thesis. In spades. Japanese love lighting and especially fluorescent lighting. Sometimes shopping precincts will have discreet lighting and often classic-design plastic or paper lanterns, especially where there are bars, restaurants or noodle stalls. There is a subdued effect which is very pretty and speaks to a sense of place and mind. But most Japanese homes have a large central fluorescent light in each room and many shops are so bright that you almost blink upon entry. Cue Yodobashi Camera.

That doesn't mean you can't have both worlds living side by side and I suspect many Japanese do just that.