Some Prefer Nettles - Jun'ichirō Tanizaki

Some Prefer Nettles follows Kaname and his wife Misako, a married couple whose relationship has gradually become emotionally distant. Although they remain together, both have begun to accept the possibility of separation. Kaname is fascinated by traditional Japanese aesthetics and theater, while Misako is increasingly drawn toward a more modern and Westernized lifestyle. Their complicated relationship becomes intertwined with family tensions, changing social values, and Kaname's fascination with the traditional world represented by Misako's father and his mistress. Through their strained marriage, Tanizaki explores the tension between traditional Japanese culture and modern Western influences, as well as questions of desire, identity, marriage, and personal freedom.