‘Subtle they call it. Suggestive. Refined. What a lot of nonsense. It’s a question of aptitude. Orientals just can’t deal with a full dose of excitement. Take singing. Here in the East, no one would dream of really opening up and belting out the loudest voice they can produce. It’s more refined you see to sing in that lonely little whine. When a woman is preparing herself to enter mixed company, does she do whatever she can to make herself attractive? Quite the opposite. She buries whatever charms she may have under several layers of sleeves and sashes. It’s supposed to be more alluring that way you see. Poppycock. The truth is that they don’t because they can’t.’
Tanizaki Jun’Ichiro, “The Story of Tomada and Matsunaga”
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 