This collection gathers seven stories from across Tanizaki's career, translated into English. They range from early tales of the city to later work on memory, longing and the pull of tradition. Several concern strange or hidden desires, including devotion to a beautiful woman, while others have the quiet charm of Japanese historical settings and folk feeling. The collection shows the writer's range in tone, from playful to eerie to tender, and offers readers a rewarding way to meet his work in shorter form.