Plato made the world believe that shadows are a metaphor for the illusory and wicked aspects of life, which we must eradicate in order to illuminate the truth and inherent goodness of existence. And yet we forget that the darkness they cast evidences the light – palpable proof without which we might not appreciate or even notice the radiance itself. The beauty of shadows was brought to light by unique Japanese aesthetics, which make use of dark shadows against light shadows to create a harmonious composition pleasing to the senses. And thus it has been rightly said: Were it not for shadows, there would be no beauty.
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