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Kuddboken
"P? v?ren - gryningen, n?r det gradvis ljusnar, himlen s? sm?tt klarnar ?ver bergen och purpuraktiga molnsl?jor sveper fram."
Denna inledning till Sei Shonagons kuddbok, ?Makura no soshi fr?n 1000-talets kejsarhov, citeras ?n idag ofta i Japan och de flesta japaner k?nner till den, eller ??tminstone dess f?rsta ord "haru wa akebono". Valda delar av kuddboken l?ses alltj?mt i japanska skolor, och boken, som r?knas till den japanska litteraturens klassiker, betraktas j?mte Murasaki Shikibus roman Ber?ttelsen om Genji som ett av de mest betydande verken fr?n Heian-perioden. Kuddboken speglar naturligtvis sin tids kultur och v?rderingar och utg?r ett enast?ende dokument fr?n livet vid kejsarhovet, men n?r man l?ser den idag, mer ?n tusen ?r efter det att den skrevs, sl?s man ?nd? ofta av hur allm?n?m?nskliga och tidl?sa m?nga av de k?nslor och reaktioner som kommer till uttryck i den faktiskt ?r.
Denna inledning till Sei Shonagons kuddbok, ?Makura no soshi fr?n 1000-talets kejsarhov, citeras ?n idag ofta i Japan och de flesta japaner k?nner till den, eller ??tminstone dess f?rsta ord "haru wa akebono". Valda delar av kuddboken l?ses alltj?mt i japanska skolor, och boken, som r?knas till den japanska litteraturens klassiker, betraktas j?mte Murasaki Shikibus roman Ber?ttelsen om Genji som ett av de mest betydande verken fr?n Heian-perioden. Kuddboken speglar naturligtvis sin tids kultur och v?rderingar och utg?r ett enast?ende dokument fr?n livet vid kejsarhovet, men n?r man l?ser den idag, mer ?n tusen ?r efter det att den skrevs, sl?s man ?nd? ofta av hur allm?n?m?nskliga och tidl?sa m?nga av de k?nslor och reaktioner som kommer till uttryck i den faktiskt ?r.
261 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1002
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29.4k people want to read
About the author
Sei Sh¨nagon
53?books216?followersÇåÉÙ¼{ÑÔ in Japanese
Sei Shonagon (c. 966 -1017) was a Japanese author and a court lady who served the Empress Teishi (Sadako) around the year 1000 during the middle Heian period. She is best known as the author of "The Pillow Book" (Õí²Ý×Ó makura no s¨shi).
Sei Shonagon (c. 966 -1017) was a Japanese author and a court lady who served the Empress Teishi (Sadako) around the year 1000 during the middle Heian period. She is best known as the author of "The Pillow Book" (Õí²Ý×Ó makura no s¨shi).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,070 reviews
August 21, 2019
This 10th century Japan private diary of a lady-in-the-court is one of the most extraordinary pieces of non-fiction I¡¯ve ever read - through sweeping, exhaustive lists, Sh¨nagon, a gossip and a prankster, reveals both the universality of human life and the paticularities of her cloistered life in Japanese court.
A few of my favorite excerpts:
Hateful Things
- One is in a hurry to leave, but one's visitor keeps chattering away. If it is someone of no importance, one can get rid of him by saying, "You must tell me all about it next time"; but, should it be the sort of visitor whose presence commands one's best behavior, the situation is hateful indeed.
- A man who has nothing in particular to recommend him discusses all sorts of subjects at random as though he knew everything.
- I hate the sight of men in their cups who shout, poke their fingers in their mouths, stroke their beards, and pass on the wine to their neighbors with cries of "Have some more! Drink up!" They tremble, shake their heads, twist their faces, and gesticulate like children who are singing, "We're off to see the governor!" I have seen really well-bred people behave like this and I find it most distasteful.
- One is just about to be told some interesting piece of news when a baby starts crying.
- A flight of crows circle over with loud caws.
- One's attachment to a man depends largely on the elegance of his leave-taking. When he jumps out of bed, scurries about the room, tightly fastens his trouser-sash, rolls up the sleeves of his Court cloak, over-robe, or hunting costume, stuffs his belongings into the breast of his robe and then briskly secures the outer sash -- one really begins to hate him.
Things that make your heart beat fast
- A sparrow with nestlings.
- Going past a place where tiny children are playing.
- Lighting some fine incense and then lying down alone to sleep.
- Looking into a Chinese mirror that¡¯s a little clouded.
- A fine gentleman pulls up in his carriage and sends in some request.
- To wash your hair, apply your makeup and put on clothes that are well-scented with incense.
- Even if you¡¯re somewhere where no one special will see you, you still feel a heady sense of pleasure inside.
- On a night when you¡¯re waiting for someone to come, there¡¯s a sudden gust of rain and something rattles in the wind, making your heart suddenly beat faster.
A few of my favorite excerpts:
Hateful Things
- One is in a hurry to leave, but one's visitor keeps chattering away. If it is someone of no importance, one can get rid of him by saying, "You must tell me all about it next time"; but, should it be the sort of visitor whose presence commands one's best behavior, the situation is hateful indeed.
- A man who has nothing in particular to recommend him discusses all sorts of subjects at random as though he knew everything.
- I hate the sight of men in their cups who shout, poke their fingers in their mouths, stroke their beards, and pass on the wine to their neighbors with cries of "Have some more! Drink up!" They tremble, shake their heads, twist their faces, and gesticulate like children who are singing, "We're off to see the governor!" I have seen really well-bred people behave like this and I find it most distasteful.
- One is just about to be told some interesting piece of news when a baby starts crying.
- A flight of crows circle over with loud caws.
- One's attachment to a man depends largely on the elegance of his leave-taking. When he jumps out of bed, scurries about the room, tightly fastens his trouser-sash, rolls up the sleeves of his Court cloak, over-robe, or hunting costume, stuffs his belongings into the breast of his robe and then briskly secures the outer sash -- one really begins to hate him.
Things that make your heart beat fast
- A sparrow with nestlings.
- Going past a place where tiny children are playing.
- Lighting some fine incense and then lying down alone to sleep.
- Looking into a Chinese mirror that¡¯s a little clouded.
- A fine gentleman pulls up in his carriage and sends in some request.
- To wash your hair, apply your makeup and put on clothes that are well-scented with incense.
- Even if you¡¯re somewhere where no one special will see you, you still feel a heady sense of pleasure inside.
- On a night when you¡¯re waiting for someone to come, there¡¯s a sudden gust of rain and something rattles in the wind, making your heart suddenly beat faster.
October 11, 2010
"Elegant Things
A white coat worn over a violet waistcoat.
Duck eggs.
Shaved ice mixed with liana syrup and put in a new silver bowl.
A rosary of rock crystal.
Snow on wisteria or plum blossoms.
A pretty child eating strawberries."
Sei Shonagon was a lady-in-waiting to the Empress of Japan during the Heian period. At one point, she was given some extra paper that had been lying around and decided to make a pillow book - a book kept by her bed, where she jotted down stories, memories, lists, and whatever else came into her head.
I loved this little book a lot more than I expected to. For the history buffs, it's an incredibly detailed picture of court life in imperial Japan. For the artistically inclined, Shonagon's images and descriptions are beautiful and stirring ("When crossing a river in bright moonlight, I love to see the water scatter in showers of crystal under the oxen's feet."). For the gossip-inclined, there's tons of court gossip that Shonagon dishes out for us, and she also gives her reader lots of interesting anecdotes about the men she's slept with (she has lots of rules for how gentlemen should and should not behave when visiting a lover at night). The best part, for me, was the whole tone of the book - if I were to follow Shonagon's example and make a list of "Things That Give a Comfortable Feeling", I would put this book at the top. Whenever I was stressing out about tests or papers or work, it was amazingly soothing to pick up this book and read nice anecdotes about rich Japanese women visiting temples, reciting poetry, writing lists, and generally being very clever and elegant all the time.
Shonagon, it must be admitted, is not perfect. She hates lower-class people, especially if dress badly or wear their hair wrong. She also writes at one point, "Men have really strange emotions and behave in the most bizarre ways. Sometimes a man will leave a very pretty woman to marry an ugly one. ...I do not understand how a man can possibly love a girl whom other people, even her own sex, find ugly."
But then she writes little almost-stories like this: "An attractive woman, whose hair tumbles loosely over her forehead, has received a letter in the dark. Evidently she is too impatient to wait for a lamp; instead she takes some fire-tongs, and, lifting a piece of burning charcoal from the brazier, laboriously reads by its pale light. It is a charming scene."
She tells stories about the Empress, the other courtiers, and makes sure we know her opinions on everything. She lists mountains, lakes, forests, and temples. She gives her opinions on fashions and what colors look good together. Some other sample list titles are: "Things That Are Hard to Say", "Features That I Particularly Like", "Things Worth Seeing", "People Who Look Pleased With Themselves", "Things That Are Near Though Distant", "People Who Seem to Suffer", "Things That Make One Nervous", "Things That Seem Better at Night Than in the Daytime", and "Things That Make One Sorry."
A lovely, charming book. Should be read somewhere near a garden, while drinking tea and listening to nice music.
"I wrote all these notes at home, when I had a good deal of time to myself and thought no one would notice what I was doing. Everything that I have seen and felt is included. Since much of it might appear malicious and even harmful to other people, I was careful to keep my book hidden. But now it has become public, which is the last thing I expected.
...I set about filling the notebooks with odd facts, stories from the past, and all sorts of other things, often including the most trivial material. On the whole I concentrated on things and people that I found charming and splendid; my notes are also full of poems and observations on trees and plants, birds and insects.
...Whatever people may think of my book, I still regret that it ever came to light."
A white coat worn over a violet waistcoat.
Duck eggs.
Shaved ice mixed with liana syrup and put in a new silver bowl.
A rosary of rock crystal.
Snow on wisteria or plum blossoms.
A pretty child eating strawberries."
Sei Shonagon was a lady-in-waiting to the Empress of Japan during the Heian period. At one point, she was given some extra paper that had been lying around and decided to make a pillow book - a book kept by her bed, where she jotted down stories, memories, lists, and whatever else came into her head.
I loved this little book a lot more than I expected to. For the history buffs, it's an incredibly detailed picture of court life in imperial Japan. For the artistically inclined, Shonagon's images and descriptions are beautiful and stirring ("When crossing a river in bright moonlight, I love to see the water scatter in showers of crystal under the oxen's feet."). For the gossip-inclined, there's tons of court gossip that Shonagon dishes out for us, and she also gives her reader lots of interesting anecdotes about the men she's slept with (she has lots of rules for how gentlemen should and should not behave when visiting a lover at night). The best part, for me, was the whole tone of the book - if I were to follow Shonagon's example and make a list of "Things That Give a Comfortable Feeling", I would put this book at the top. Whenever I was stressing out about tests or papers or work, it was amazingly soothing to pick up this book and read nice anecdotes about rich Japanese women visiting temples, reciting poetry, writing lists, and generally being very clever and elegant all the time.
Shonagon, it must be admitted, is not perfect. She hates lower-class people, especially if dress badly or wear their hair wrong. She also writes at one point, "Men have really strange emotions and behave in the most bizarre ways. Sometimes a man will leave a very pretty woman to marry an ugly one. ...I do not understand how a man can possibly love a girl whom other people, even her own sex, find ugly."
But then she writes little almost-stories like this: "An attractive woman, whose hair tumbles loosely over her forehead, has received a letter in the dark. Evidently she is too impatient to wait for a lamp; instead she takes some fire-tongs, and, lifting a piece of burning charcoal from the brazier, laboriously reads by its pale light. It is a charming scene."
She tells stories about the Empress, the other courtiers, and makes sure we know her opinions on everything. She lists mountains, lakes, forests, and temples. She gives her opinions on fashions and what colors look good together. Some other sample list titles are: "Things That Are Hard to Say", "Features That I Particularly Like", "Things Worth Seeing", "People Who Look Pleased With Themselves", "Things That Are Near Though Distant", "People Who Seem to Suffer", "Things That Make One Nervous", "Things That Seem Better at Night Than in the Daytime", and "Things That Make One Sorry."
A lovely, charming book. Should be read somewhere near a garden, while drinking tea and listening to nice music.
"I wrote all these notes at home, when I had a good deal of time to myself and thought no one would notice what I was doing. Everything that I have seen and felt is included. Since much of it might appear malicious and even harmful to other people, I was careful to keep my book hidden. But now it has become public, which is the last thing I expected.
...I set about filling the notebooks with odd facts, stories from the past, and all sorts of other things, often including the most trivial material. On the whole I concentrated on things and people that I found charming and splendid; my notes are also full of poems and observations on trees and plants, birds and insects.
...Whatever people may think of my book, I still regret that it ever came to light."
March 16, 2021
Este libro es una curiosidad en s¨ª misma, un compendio de anotaciones, an¨¦cdotas, costumbres, poemas y odas a la belleza y a la naturaleza por parte de una dama en la corte de una emperatriz en el Jap¨®n del siglo X.
La autora hace precisamente eso, anotar todo lo que se le pasa por la cabeza, desde la belleza de un amanecer hasta una enumeraci¨®n de cosas que detesta, con ello consigue transportarnos muy bien a esa ¨¦poca y lugar.
Tiene partes deliciosas, te hace comprender la importancia que ten¨ªa en esa ¨¦poca (para las clases m¨¢s altas) la belleza, la cultura, la poes¨ªa.. es fascinante la manera en que ten¨ªan de relacionarse y c¨®mo apreciaban los peque?os detalles. Tambi¨¦n muestran su crueldad y vanidad en muchos puntos.
Sea como sea, no es un libro para devorar, sino para leer a ratitos y dejarte sorprender... no es que me haya marcado pero me ha resultado una lectura muy interesante y curiosa.
La autora hace precisamente eso, anotar todo lo que se le pasa por la cabeza, desde la belleza de un amanecer hasta una enumeraci¨®n de cosas que detesta, con ello consigue transportarnos muy bien a esa ¨¦poca y lugar.
Tiene partes deliciosas, te hace comprender la importancia que ten¨ªa en esa ¨¦poca (para las clases m¨¢s altas) la belleza, la cultura, la poes¨ªa.. es fascinante la manera en que ten¨ªan de relacionarse y c¨®mo apreciaban los peque?os detalles. Tambi¨¦n muestran su crueldad y vanidad en muchos puntos.
Sea como sea, no es un libro para devorar, sino para leer a ratitos y dejarte sorprender... no es que me haya marcado pero me ha resultado una lectura muy interesante y curiosa.
June 21, 2018
A thousand years ago, one evening, a woman picked up her brush, drew it over an inkstone and wrote¡.
She was a lady-in-waiting who served ten years in the court of a Heian Empress; her given name has been lost. We know her only by her family name and honorific, Sei Shonagon. Yet she lives in these ancient notes as surely as if she had only just taken off her long, multi-layered court robes and slipped into something comfortable. She makes a few last notes, intimate, poetic, or perhaps a little naughty, and listens to the night sounds of the household¡.
Sei Shonagon is such a study in contrasts. She was undeniably bitchy, an inveterate gossip and a dreadful snob. She spent her days in idleness, writing poetry, making snarky comments about the servants and lower classes, and flirting with the courtiers.
But Sei Shonagon was also quick-witted, sensitive and fully awake to all the beauties of the world and when she writes like this I cannot help but like her.
The ladies of the Heian court were probably allowed more freedom than most Japanese women of the time and despite their modest fans and the curtains that screened them from view there was the possibility of semi-secret liaisons, preceded and followed by a stylized exchange of poetry. And if favors were granted one hoped that all would be graced by a certain style.
Content rating G: There are themes of love and late night meetings, but everything is coded and strictly fade-to-black and softly rustling silk.
In spring it is the dawn that is most beautiful. As the light creeps over the hills, their outlines are dyed a faint red and wisps of purplish cloud trail over them.
In summer, the nights. Not only when the moon shines, but on dark nights too, as the fireflies flit to and fro, and even when it rains, how beautiful it is!
She was a lady-in-waiting who served ten years in the court of a Heian Empress; her given name has been lost. We know her only by her family name and honorific, Sei Shonagon. Yet she lives in these ancient notes as surely as if she had only just taken off her long, multi-layered court robes and slipped into something comfortable. She makes a few last notes, intimate, poetic, or perhaps a little naughty, and listens to the night sounds of the household¡.
The floor-boards in the ante room are shining so brightly that they mirror everything nearby...The curtains glide smoothly back revealing the lady of the house, who under the faded dark robe she is using as her bedclothing wears a white unlined gown of raw silk and a crimson trouser skirt.
In another part of the room ladies are huddled together under a closed blind. A fire is smoldering deep in the incense burner, giving out a scent that is vaguely melancholy and full of a calm elegance. ¡
Late in the evening there is a stealthy tap outside. A lady-in-waiting (the one who always knows what is happening) hurries to the gate and lets in the gentleman visitor. Then with a smug look on her face she stealthily leads him to the lady who has been awaiting his arrival.
From one side of the hall comes the beautiful sound of lute music. The player plucks the strings so gently that one can barely make out the notes.
Sei Shonagon is such a study in contrasts. She was undeniably bitchy, an inveterate gossip and a dreadful snob. She spent her days in idleness, writing poetry, making snarky comments about the servants and lower classes, and flirting with the courtiers.
But Sei Shonagon was also quick-witted, sensitive and fully awake to all the beauties of the world and when she writes like this I cannot help but like her.
Things That Make One's Heart Beat Faster:
Sparrows feeding their young.
To pass a place where babies are playing.
To sleep in a room where some fine incense has been burnt.
To notice that one's elegant Chinese mirror has become a little cloudy.
To see a gentleman stop his carriage before one's gate and instruct his attendants to announce his arrival.
The ladies of the Heian court were probably allowed more freedom than most Japanese women of the time and despite their modest fans and the curtains that screened them from view there was the possibility of semi-secret liaisons, preceded and followed by a stylized exchange of poetry. And if favors were granted one hoped that all would be graced by a certain style.
Frail as a string of bubbles is that ice.
A certain victim to the sun¡¯s first rays.
The ribbon too will quickly come undone.
As though it were the frailest gossamer veil.
A good lover will behave as elegantly at dawn as at any other time. He drags himself out of bed with a look of dismay on his face. The lady urges him on: ¡®Come my friend, it¡¯s getting light. You don¡¯t want anyone to find you here.¡¯ He gives a deep sigh, as if to say that the night has not been nearly long enough and that it is agony to leave¡Indeed, one¡¯s attachment to a man depends largely on the elegance of his leave-takingIf poetry and time travel are your thing take a trip back to tenth century Japan and see the world fresh and vivid through Sei Shonagon¡¯s eyes.
Content rating G: There are themes of love and late night meetings, but everything is coded and strictly fade-to-black and softly rustling silk.
November 20, 2023
This review reads more like a review of Sei Shonagon as a person, which is accurate. The Pillow Book is Sei Shonagon, cut and bound into book form.
With that in mind... Sei.
You know how when you¡¯re out, you meet someone who seems like a ditzy party girl¡ªshe¡¯s super drunk and slutty and lots of fun, but doesn¡¯t seem particularly intelligent?
And you know how most of the time that¡¯s an accurate assessment, but sometimes you start talking to her and she ends up quoting Hegel at you, or tipsily pointing out similarities between the respective poems of Catallus and Walt Whitman?
That¡¯s Sei Shonagon.
Yes, she loves fashion and flirting and inane gossip. Wearing makeup and putting on perfume makes her disproportionately happy. She¡¯s a snob who looks down on ¡°common people" and she's kind of an asshole (she publicly humiliates a guy whose house just burned down).
But she¡¯s so fucking smart and well-read and observant and intellectual. She spends a lot of time giving men well-deserved tongue lashes and intimidating them with obscure literary references.
And she rescues a dog that the emperor (a cat person) exiled and then ordered beaten.
Also, she¡¯s such an egomaniac and I love it. She literally cannot comprehend why people might dislike her. It¡¯s beyond the capacity of her mind to grasp. I love it.
Sei really likes lists. About half of this book consists of little lists. She loves listing things that are delightful, dispiriting, infuriating, or amusing. Or common things that suddenly sound special. Or Things that lose by being painted (if you're curious: cherry blossoms, men and women described in tales as looking splendid) and things that gain by being painted (likewise: pine trees, autumn fields, mountain villages).
One of the things she lists as ¡°dispiriting¡± is adult children overhearing their parents have sex. Lol yes, Sei, that would definitely count as dispiriting. And she¡¯s infuriated by dogs that bark when she¡¯s trying to sneak her secret lovers into her bed. Fair enough.
She also can¡¯t stand bad morning-after sex etiquette, like a man leaving too soon or not soon enough. Or when they take too long to send the obligatory morning-after poem. I hear you, Sei, I do. Plus ?a change, plus c'est la m¨ºme chose.
Everyone and everything is pure poetry when she perceives it, and they delight her as much as they annoy her.
She likes everything just so. She¡¯s fond of fresh paper, cherry blossoms, moonlight, anything violet, gossip, the empress, and poetry.
She has an ex-husband. They never got divorced, they just kind of stopped being married when they felt like it. And now they¡¯re chill and help each other get laid and he¡¯s like her big brother (she actually says this) and they tease each other good-naturedly. Normal ex-spouse relationship. You know. (I actually think this is adorable).
Sei¡¯s very successful in the world she lives in, because she¡¯s smart and well-read, and therefore writes excellent, witty poetry. And in Heian Japan, it¡¯s poetry or die. Seriously, your skill as a poet makes or breaks your social position, your marriage prospects, your success in romance (totally unrelated to your marriage prospects¡ªeverybody is expected & assumed to have affairs regardless of gender and social class, and they¡¯re kept almost in plain sight with more ¡°wink wink nudge nudge¡± than shame attached), and everything else you can imagine. Heaven help you if you write bad poetry.
Back to Sei. She makes me laugh. She makes me want to grab her hands and have a long, wild conversation that lasts until dawn, populated with many ¡°I know! Isn¡¯t that the worst?!¡±
To your list of ¡°things that make my heart beat fast,¡± Sei, I¡¯m going to add ¡°The Pillow Book.¡±
*2020 Reread*
This time, I read the Waley translation (I think I originally reads Morris). AWFUL. Chopped up and useless and devoid of all the inherent charm and grace. It's like he translated the most tedious parts and left all the personality out, plus some snide sexist commentary. Do not recommend.
*2023*
Edited to add - I'm pretty sure I actually read the Meredith McKinney translation originally. Go read that one.
With that in mind... Sei.
You know how when you¡¯re out, you meet someone who seems like a ditzy party girl¡ªshe¡¯s super drunk and slutty and lots of fun, but doesn¡¯t seem particularly intelligent?
And you know how most of the time that¡¯s an accurate assessment, but sometimes you start talking to her and she ends up quoting Hegel at you, or tipsily pointing out similarities between the respective poems of Catallus and Walt Whitman?
That¡¯s Sei Shonagon.
Yes, she loves fashion and flirting and inane gossip. Wearing makeup and putting on perfume makes her disproportionately happy. She¡¯s a snob who looks down on ¡°common people" and she's kind of an asshole (she publicly humiliates a guy whose house just burned down).
But she¡¯s so fucking smart and well-read and observant and intellectual. She spends a lot of time giving men well-deserved tongue lashes and intimidating them with obscure literary references.
And she rescues a dog that the emperor (a cat person) exiled and then ordered beaten.
Also, she¡¯s such an egomaniac and I love it. She literally cannot comprehend why people might dislike her. It¡¯s beyond the capacity of her mind to grasp. I love it.
Sei really likes lists. About half of this book consists of little lists. She loves listing things that are delightful, dispiriting, infuriating, or amusing. Or common things that suddenly sound special. Or Things that lose by being painted (if you're curious: cherry blossoms, men and women described in tales as looking splendid) and things that gain by being painted (likewise: pine trees, autumn fields, mountain villages).
One of the things she lists as ¡°dispiriting¡± is adult children overhearing their parents have sex. Lol yes, Sei, that would definitely count as dispiriting. And she¡¯s infuriated by dogs that bark when she¡¯s trying to sneak her secret lovers into her bed. Fair enough.
She also can¡¯t stand bad morning-after sex etiquette, like a man leaving too soon or not soon enough. Or when they take too long to send the obligatory morning-after poem. I hear you, Sei, I do. Plus ?a change, plus c'est la m¨ºme chose.
Everyone and everything is pure poetry when she perceives it, and they delight her as much as they annoy her.
She likes everything just so. She¡¯s fond of fresh paper, cherry blossoms, moonlight, anything violet, gossip, the empress, and poetry.
She has an ex-husband. They never got divorced, they just kind of stopped being married when they felt like it. And now they¡¯re chill and help each other get laid and he¡¯s like her big brother (she actually says this) and they tease each other good-naturedly. Normal ex-spouse relationship. You know. (I actually think this is adorable).
Sei¡¯s very successful in the world she lives in, because she¡¯s smart and well-read, and therefore writes excellent, witty poetry. And in Heian Japan, it¡¯s poetry or die. Seriously, your skill as a poet makes or breaks your social position, your marriage prospects, your success in romance (totally unrelated to your marriage prospects¡ªeverybody is expected & assumed to have affairs regardless of gender and social class, and they¡¯re kept almost in plain sight with more ¡°wink wink nudge nudge¡± than shame attached), and everything else you can imagine. Heaven help you if you write bad poetry.
Back to Sei. She makes me laugh. She makes me want to grab her hands and have a long, wild conversation that lasts until dawn, populated with many ¡°I know! Isn¡¯t that the worst?!¡±
To your list of ¡°things that make my heart beat fast,¡± Sei, I¡¯m going to add ¡°The Pillow Book.¡±
*2020 Reread*
This time, I read the Waley translation (I think I originally reads Morris). AWFUL. Chopped up and useless and devoid of all the inherent charm and grace. It's like he translated the most tedious parts and left all the personality out, plus some snide sexist commentary. Do not recommend.
*2023*
Edited to add - I'm pretty sure I actually read the Meredith McKinney translation originally. Go read that one.
January 6, 2019
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§°§ã§Ó§Ö§ß §Þ§ß§à§Ø§Ö§ã§ä§Ó§à§ä§à §Ù§Ñ§ß§Ú§Þ§Ñ§ß§Ú§ñ §ã§ì§ã §ã§Ö§Ü§å§Ý§Ñ§â§Ö§ß §ç§Ñ§â§Ñ§Ü§ä§Ö§â, §é§Ö§ã§ä§à §ã§Ñ §à§á§Ú§ã§Ó§Ñ§ß§Ú §Ú §á§à§Ü§Ý§à§ß§Ö§ß§Ú§ñ §Ó §ç§â§Ñ§Þ§à§Ó§Ö, §â§Ú§ä§å§Ñ§Ý§Ú §Ù§Ñ §Õ§å§ç§à§Ó§ß§à §á§â§Ö§é§Ú§ã§ä§Ó§Ñ§ß§Ö §à§ä §ã§å§Ö§ä§Ñ§ä§Ñ §Ú §è§ñ§Ý§à§ã§ä§ß§à §â§Ö§Ý§Ú§Ô§Ú§à§Ù§ß§à §Ò§Ý§Ñ§Ô§à§Ô§à§Ó§Ö§ß§Ú§Ö, §Ü§à§Ú§ä§à §à§Ò§Ñ§é§Ö §ß§Ö §Ù§Ó§å§é§Ñ§ä §á§à§Ü§Ñ§Ù§ß§à. §©§Ñ §Þ§Ö§ß §ä§Ö §á§â§Ö§Õ§ã§ä§Ñ§Ó§Ý§ñ§Ó§Ñ§ç§Ñ §ß§Ö§à§Ò§ç§à§Õ§Ú§Þ§Ñ§ä§Ñ §ä§Ö§Ø§Ö§ã§ä §Ù§Ñ §å§â§Ñ§Ó§ß§à§Ó§Ö§ã§ñ§Ó§Ñ§ß§Ö §ß§Ñ §Ó§Ö§Ù§ß§Ú§ä§Ö §ß§Ñ §Ö§ä§Ú§é§ß§à§ä§à §Ú §Ö§ã§ä§Ö§ä§Ú§é§ß§à§ä§à.
?§©§Ñ§á§Ú§ã§Ü§Ú §á§à§Õ §Ó§ì§Ù§Ô§Ý§Ñ§Ó§Ü§Ñ§ä§Ñ¡° §Ö §Ñ§â§Ñ§ß§Ø§Ú§â§Ñ§ß§Ñ §ã §Ó§ß§Ú§Þ§Ñ§ß§Ú§Ö §Ú§Ü§Ö§Ò§Ñ§ß§Ñ, §Ñ§Ó§ä§à§Ò§Ú§à§Ô§â§Ñ§æ§Ú§é§ß§à §à§á§Ú§ã§Ñ§ß§Ú§Ö §ß§Ñ §ã§ä§â§Ö§Þ§Ö§Ø§Ñ §Ü§ì§Þ §á§ì§Ý§ß§à §ã§ì§Ù§Ó§å§é§Ú§Ö §ß§Ñ §æ§Ú§Ù§Ú§é§Ö§ã§Ü§à§ä§à §Ú §Õ§å§ç§à§Ó§ß§à§ä§à, §Ü§ì§Þ §ã§ì§Ù§Ú§â§Ñ§ß§Ö§ä§à §Ú §à§ã§Þ§Ú§ã§Ý§ñ§ß§Ö§ä§à. §®§Ú§ã§Ý§ñ, §é§Ö §Ó§ã§Ú§é§Ü§Ú §Ú§Þ§Ñ§Þ§Ö §Ü§Ñ§Ü§Ó§à §Õ§Ñ §ß§Ñ§å§é§Ú§Þ §à§ä §Ö§Õ§ß§Ñ §ã§â§Ö§Õ§ß§à§Ó§Ö§Ü§à§Ó§ß§Ñ §ñ§á§à§ß§Ü§Ñ.
August 12, 2016
Lovely, amazing, brilliant book from a court lady with spectacular wit and humor. I really need to reread this again some day. When I have a week to spare.
I've never had to work so hard to read a book before. It's been years since I've read it, but this book took me days and days to read, mainly because of all the footnotes. And you HAVE to read the footnotes. Every entry had a footnote, and I had to constantly flip back and forth to read it in order to understand the context.
I've never had to work so hard to read a book before. It's been years since I've read it, but this book took me days and days to read, mainly because of all the footnotes. And you HAVE to read the footnotes. Every entry had a footnote, and I had to constantly flip back and forth to read it in order to understand the context.
February 27, 2017
Less interesting than its closest contemporary, The Tale of Genji, this is another interesting book about the intimate life of the Japanese imperial court during the Heian period (as Genji is as well). It is full of interesting anecdotes and pillow talk (thus the title), but in a less poetic style as Genji which for me remains the reference and the milestone.
May 25, 2011
"He spoke to me of Sei Sh¨nagon, a lady in waiting to Princess Sadako at the beginning of the 11th century, in the Heian period. Do we ever know where history is really made? Rulers ruled and used complicated strategies to fight one another. Real power was in the hands of a family of hereditary regents; the emperor's court had become nothing more than a place of intrigues and intellectual games. But by learning to draw a sort of melancholy comfort from the contemplation of the tiniest things this small group of idlers left a mark on Japanese sensibility much deeper than the mediocre thundering of the politicians. Shonagon had a passion for lists: the list of 'elegant things,' 'distressing things,' or even of 'things not worth doing.' One day she got the idea of drawing up a list of 'things that quicken the heart.' Not a bad criterion I realize when I'm filming; I bow to the economic miracle, but what I want to show you are the neighborhood celebrations."
-Chris Marker-
This excerpt is taken from Chris Marker's San Soleil (Sunless); his surreal filmic travelogue in which the filmmaker meditates on time, cultural paradox, and memory. Memory informs most of the film. As the images flicker randomly, footage from around the world, a British, female narrator intones these ponderous reflections on the soundtrack. Not only is Sh¨nagon directly referred to in the film, but her particular style of voyeuristic observation most certainly influences Marker's approach as a filmmaker, particularly in the case of San Soleil.
Sei Sh¨nagon was a courtly woman who lived in Heian-Kyo (present day Kyoto). She served as a gentlewoman in the court of Empress Fujiwara Teishi of the famous Fujiwara clan, the dominant clan of the Heian period (roughly from 794 to 1186). In the context of Japanese history, the Heian period was a time devoid of war, and blessed with the idle calm of peace. Makura no S¨shi (The Pillow Book) is a collection of insights, observations, short stories, poetry, and frustrating daily occurrences kept by Sh¨nagon throughout most her time in the service of empress Teishi.
Heian period literature is a notoriously complicated cultural phenomenon for the western reader. An understanding of the cultural mores of Japanese Heian period society, also of its architecture, politics, literary and religious relationship to China, is more or less essential in order to appreciate the true brilliance of the work of Sh¨nagon or Lady Murasaki. It's in this sense that Sh¨nagon will appeal to a contemporary western audience. This is because, unlike the sweeping, convoluted narrative of a piece such as The Tale of Genji, The Pillow Book is more intimate, full of ephemeral fragments of courtly life in Heian Japan. Sh¨nagon is one of those writers who possess the poignancy of the universally relatable and the timeless. For lack of a better comparison, the tiny, cathartic pleasures in life mentioned in the film Amelie resemble Sei's list of "things that look enjoyable", or "things that create the presence of deep emotion". In other words, one doesn't necessarily require a full background knowledge of Japanese culture to be capable of relating to Sei's aesthetic predilection, albeit the sub-narratives that weave in and out of The Pillow Book are more esoteric, and mainly entail historical gossip as well as stories about poetry competitions.
There are, of course, two sides to Sh¨nagon; one is that of the pleasant servant of empress Teishi who enjoys reciting poetry and commenting on the beauty of her pastoral surroundings, the other is a socially duplicitous misanthrope. Her contemporary, and stylistic opposite Murasaki Shikubu (author of Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji)) mentioned something to this affect in her diary, "Sei Sh¨nagon ... was dreadfully conceited. She thought herself so clever and littered her writings with Chinese characters; but if you examined them closely, they left a great deal to be desired. Those who think of themselves as being superior to everyone else in this way will inevitably suffer and come to a bad end, and people who have become so precious that they go out of their way to try and be sensitive in the most unpromising situations, trying to capture every moment of interest, however slight, are bound to look ridiculous and superficial. How can the future turn out well for them?" One does get this sort of impression from several passages in The Pillow Book. First off, Sei was a class snob; she repeatedly criticizes the attire of the poverty stricken, as well as their manners. She clearly had a pretty short temper, and little patience for the idiosyncrasies of those around her. And a majority of the positive lists that she mentions mainly have more to do with the beauty of nature, or the complexity of poetry, rather than musings on how wonderful people are in general. It's difficult to imagine that this wasn't simply part and parcel of the sensibility of her age. Heian courtly life was so idle and lackadaisical to the point where petty back-stabbing and spreading vitriolic gossip must have seemed like popular pastimes.
The Pillow Book is most effectively enjoyed in fragments; a good book to pick up at random. There really isn't much of a unifying story, and it seems that the most erudite scholar still runs into difficulty in the matter of coming up with a chronology in relation to the layout of the book. Herein lies its charm though: that of leisurely digesting these observations and considering how much you might be inclined to agree or disagree. And Sh¨nagon's writings are immensely charming if nothing else.
-Chris Marker-
This excerpt is taken from Chris Marker's San Soleil (Sunless); his surreal filmic travelogue in which the filmmaker meditates on time, cultural paradox, and memory. Memory informs most of the film. As the images flicker randomly, footage from around the world, a British, female narrator intones these ponderous reflections on the soundtrack. Not only is Sh¨nagon directly referred to in the film, but her particular style of voyeuristic observation most certainly influences Marker's approach as a filmmaker, particularly in the case of San Soleil.
Sei Sh¨nagon was a courtly woman who lived in Heian-Kyo (present day Kyoto). She served as a gentlewoman in the court of Empress Fujiwara Teishi of the famous Fujiwara clan, the dominant clan of the Heian period (roughly from 794 to 1186). In the context of Japanese history, the Heian period was a time devoid of war, and blessed with the idle calm of peace. Makura no S¨shi (The Pillow Book) is a collection of insights, observations, short stories, poetry, and frustrating daily occurrences kept by Sh¨nagon throughout most her time in the service of empress Teishi.
Heian period literature is a notoriously complicated cultural phenomenon for the western reader. An understanding of the cultural mores of Japanese Heian period society, also of its architecture, politics, literary and religious relationship to China, is more or less essential in order to appreciate the true brilliance of the work of Sh¨nagon or Lady Murasaki. It's in this sense that Sh¨nagon will appeal to a contemporary western audience. This is because, unlike the sweeping, convoluted narrative of a piece such as The Tale of Genji, The Pillow Book is more intimate, full of ephemeral fragments of courtly life in Heian Japan. Sh¨nagon is one of those writers who possess the poignancy of the universally relatable and the timeless. For lack of a better comparison, the tiny, cathartic pleasures in life mentioned in the film Amelie resemble Sei's list of "things that look enjoyable", or "things that create the presence of deep emotion". In other words, one doesn't necessarily require a full background knowledge of Japanese culture to be capable of relating to Sei's aesthetic predilection, albeit the sub-narratives that weave in and out of The Pillow Book are more esoteric, and mainly entail historical gossip as well as stories about poetry competitions.
There are, of course, two sides to Sh¨nagon; one is that of the pleasant servant of empress Teishi who enjoys reciting poetry and commenting on the beauty of her pastoral surroundings, the other is a socially duplicitous misanthrope. Her contemporary, and stylistic opposite Murasaki Shikubu (author of Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji)) mentioned something to this affect in her diary, "Sei Sh¨nagon ... was dreadfully conceited. She thought herself so clever and littered her writings with Chinese characters; but if you examined them closely, they left a great deal to be desired. Those who think of themselves as being superior to everyone else in this way will inevitably suffer and come to a bad end, and people who have become so precious that they go out of their way to try and be sensitive in the most unpromising situations, trying to capture every moment of interest, however slight, are bound to look ridiculous and superficial. How can the future turn out well for them?" One does get this sort of impression from several passages in The Pillow Book. First off, Sei was a class snob; she repeatedly criticizes the attire of the poverty stricken, as well as their manners. She clearly had a pretty short temper, and little patience for the idiosyncrasies of those around her. And a majority of the positive lists that she mentions mainly have more to do with the beauty of nature, or the complexity of poetry, rather than musings on how wonderful people are in general. It's difficult to imagine that this wasn't simply part and parcel of the sensibility of her age. Heian courtly life was so idle and lackadaisical to the point where petty back-stabbing and spreading vitriolic gossip must have seemed like popular pastimes.
The Pillow Book is most effectively enjoyed in fragments; a good book to pick up at random. There really isn't much of a unifying story, and it seems that the most erudite scholar still runs into difficulty in the matter of coming up with a chronology in relation to the layout of the book. Herein lies its charm though: that of leisurely digesting these observations and considering how much you might be inclined to agree or disagree. And Sh¨nagon's writings are immensely charming if nothing else.
May 26, 2009
Incredible, witty, beautiful prose. Shonagon Sei was a sarcastic and insightful woman who was unafraid to air out her own prejudices (staples among her lists of hated things: commoners, and exorcists who fall asleep on the job), as well as her love for all things beautiful and the mildly hilarious.
Many call this the earliest "blog" in history, but it's much more than that. It's a vivid, if not remarkable look into Heian court life through the eyes of a strong Japanese woman, a true individual of that time.
My favorite sections were when Sei discusses the Royal Family, specifically the young Empress, whom Sei waited upon. Different from the other passages, which vary between bitingly sarcastic portrayals of her peers to descriptions of beautiful landscapes, the entries about the Empress are colored with much more gentle and affectionate emotions. Disarmingly human. It is friendship, adoration, and poetic lyricism all in one. A favorite passage from the book:
Many call this the earliest "blog" in history, but it's much more than that. It's a vivid, if not remarkable look into Heian court life through the eyes of a strong Japanese woman, a true individual of that time.
My favorite sections were when Sei discusses the Royal Family, specifically the young Empress, whom Sei waited upon. Different from the other passages, which vary between bitingly sarcastic portrayals of her peers to descriptions of beautiful landscapes, the entries about the Empress are colored with much more gentle and affectionate emotions. Disarmingly human. It is friendship, adoration, and poetic lyricism all in one. A favorite passage from the book:
¡°Once when I had gone to Kiyomizu Temple for a retreat and was listening with deep emotion to the loud cry of the cicadas, a special messenger brought me a note from Her Majesty written on a sheet of red-tinted Chinese paper:
Count each echo of the temple bell
As it tolls the vespers by the mountain¡¯s side.
Then you will know how many times
My heart is beating out its love for you.
¡®What a long stay you are making!¡¯ she added. ¡®Surely you realize how much I miss you.¡¯
Since I had forgotten to bring along any suitable paper, I wrote my reply on a purple lotus petal.¡±
April 22, 2022
Despu¨¦s de cerrar ¡°El libro de la almohada¡± solo puedes sentirte en paz y con una sonrisa sosegada. Hace muchos a?os que escuchaba hablar de este libro pero cuando supe que estaba escrito por una mujer hace m¨¢s de mil a?os supe que ten¨ªa que leerlo y queridas, qu¨¦ buena elecci¨®n hice. Gracias Satori por acercarnos esta obra en tan preciosa y especial edici¨®n.
Desconocemos casi todos los datos sobre la vida de Sei: se intuye que probablemente naci¨® en 968, era hija de un poeta y fue dama de compa?¨ªa de la emperatriz Teishi. Gracias a este escrito conocemos datos sobre sus vivencias, su marcada personalidad que es generalmente altiva y en otras ocasiones demuestra una sensibilidad extraordinaria para describir naturaleza o escribir poes¨ªa.
Lo que encontraremos en conjunto son pensamientos fragmentados, una lluvia de ideas y recuerdos que nos acercan sobremanera no solo a Sei sino tambi¨¦n a las tradiciones japonesas de la ¨¦poca. Poes¨ªa, reflexiones y listas que fueron escritas por Sei sin pretensiones, sin ni tan siquiera querer ser le¨ªdas simplemente con el fin de entretenerse y disfrutar del placer de escribir.
Leer a una de las primeras escritoras japonesas ha resultado ser sumamente satisfactorio y relajante. Sin duda la delicadeza y contrastes que ofrece la lectura es encomiable y s¨¦ que volver¨¦ a ella m¨¢s de una vez. La edici¨®n es una joya, cargada de notas a pie de p¨¢gina explicativas, un pr¨®logo e introducci¨®n que ponen perfectamente en contexto y unos ap¨¦ndices que cierran formidablemente una lectura que ya de por s¨ª es valiosa.
Una joya, una obra especial, cautivadora, graciosa y preciosa para leer con calma, para ¡°saborear¡± y sentir ese deleite que solo un diario tan personal puede ofrecer.
Desconocemos casi todos los datos sobre la vida de Sei: se intuye que probablemente naci¨® en 968, era hija de un poeta y fue dama de compa?¨ªa de la emperatriz Teishi. Gracias a este escrito conocemos datos sobre sus vivencias, su marcada personalidad que es generalmente altiva y en otras ocasiones demuestra una sensibilidad extraordinaria para describir naturaleza o escribir poes¨ªa.
Lo que encontraremos en conjunto son pensamientos fragmentados, una lluvia de ideas y recuerdos que nos acercan sobremanera no solo a Sei sino tambi¨¦n a las tradiciones japonesas de la ¨¦poca. Poes¨ªa, reflexiones y listas que fueron escritas por Sei sin pretensiones, sin ni tan siquiera querer ser le¨ªdas simplemente con el fin de entretenerse y disfrutar del placer de escribir.
Leer a una de las primeras escritoras japonesas ha resultado ser sumamente satisfactorio y relajante. Sin duda la delicadeza y contrastes que ofrece la lectura es encomiable y s¨¦ que volver¨¦ a ella m¨¢s de una vez. La edici¨®n es una joya, cargada de notas a pie de p¨¢gina explicativas, un pr¨®logo e introducci¨®n que ponen perfectamente en contexto y unos ap¨¦ndices que cierran formidablemente una lectura que ya de por s¨ª es valiosa.
Una joya, una obra especial, cautivadora, graciosa y preciosa para leer con calma, para ¡°saborear¡± y sentir ese deleite que solo un diario tan personal puede ofrecer.
October 14, 2020
-Con sus particularidades, delicioso e ¨ªntimo.-
G¨¦nero. Ensayo (por decir algo).
Lo que nos cuenta. El libro El libro de la almohada (publicaci¨®n original: Makura no S¨shi, escrito en alg¨²n momento entre finales del siglo X y comienzos del siglo XI) es la selecci¨®n de textos realizada por Jorge Luis Borges y Mar¨ªa Kodama (tambi¨¦n traductora y responsable del pr¨®logo) sobre lo escrito por la dama de honor imperial Sei Shonagon en su muy peculiar diario, por llamarlo de alguna manera, durante la ¨²ltima fase del Periodo Heian en Jap¨®n.
?Quiere saber m¨¢s de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
G¨¦nero. Ensayo (por decir algo).
Lo que nos cuenta. El libro El libro de la almohada (publicaci¨®n original: Makura no S¨shi, escrito en alg¨²n momento entre finales del siglo X y comienzos del siglo XI) es la selecci¨®n de textos realizada por Jorge Luis Borges y Mar¨ªa Kodama (tambi¨¦n traductora y responsable del pr¨®logo) sobre lo escrito por la dama de honor imperial Sei Shonagon en su muy peculiar diario, por llamarlo de alguna manera, durante la ¨²ltima fase del Periodo Heian en Jap¨®n.
?Quiere saber m¨¢s de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
April 19, 2022
See the full review at
The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon is a fascinating look at Japanese court culture during the 11th century Heian period (794 to 1186).
While others may be more familiar with Murasaki Shikibu¡¯s The Tale of Genji as an example of classic Japanese literature of the time, I chose The Pillow Book instead ¨C I always lean towards bucking the trend and I was intrigued by what I had read of Sei Shonagon¡¯s attention to detail, unflinching honesty, and acerbic wit in her quest for the perfect comeback.
According to Dr. Meredith McKinney, an expert in Japanese literature and translator of this edition, Sei Shonagon might have been born around 966 and the last known reference to her was in 1017. She was a member of the court of Empress Consort Teishi (Sadako), where she served as a gentlewoman or lady-in-waiting beginning around 993 until Teishi¡¯s death in 1000.
While specific details about Sei Shonagon and her book are difficult to confirm, it is believed she completed the book around 1002. It is the oldest book on my classics list. There are several editions of the book; it has been copied and recopied multiple times. I read the Penguin Classics edition which includes an informative introduction written by Meredith McKinney and is full of notes throughout. Well-researched and thorough, it also includes appendices such as a glossary as well as explanations of colors and clothes, social statuses, and more.
The Pillow Book is akin to a diary; Sei Shonagon mostly tells us stories of her daily life, gossips about her peers, comments on fashion and the seasons. It provides a perspective on imperial culture in all its luxury, privilege, and poetry and is considered a masterpiece of Japanese literature. According to Sei Shonagon, the book was supposed to have been kept private but started to circulate among the court members when it was discovered after she accidentally left it out on a mat one day around 996.
I have never read a book quite like this before. While I enjoyed it for its unique content and perspective, it lacks the cohesion I was used to as it jumps around throughout time periods, thoughts, and miscellany. At times, Sei Shonagon uses the pages to list examples of seemingly arbitrary topics of her choice, sometimes as ordinary as naming peaks, plants, or bodies of water but at other times are more thoughtful.
Those who are interested in learning about this era of Japanese history or life would find this book compelling. I would also recommend this book to poetry lovers, as poetry was an integral part of court society during this period. One¡¯s knowledge of poetry indicated their intellect, wit, and social standing; not only was one expected to know the greats but also to come up with original poetry on the spot. Communication between friends, colleagues, and lovers often took place via notes sent by messenger and these notes were often written in poetry, so one needed to be able to read, interpret, and create poems full of flirtation and puns for attention and glory. This was one of Sei Shonagon¡¯s talents; she aimed to delight and surprise with her poetry and humor.
The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon is a fascinating look at Japanese court culture during the 11th century Heian period (794 to 1186).
While others may be more familiar with Murasaki Shikibu¡¯s The Tale of Genji as an example of classic Japanese literature of the time, I chose The Pillow Book instead ¨C I always lean towards bucking the trend and I was intrigued by what I had read of Sei Shonagon¡¯s attention to detail, unflinching honesty, and acerbic wit in her quest for the perfect comeback.
According to Dr. Meredith McKinney, an expert in Japanese literature and translator of this edition, Sei Shonagon might have been born around 966 and the last known reference to her was in 1017. She was a member of the court of Empress Consort Teishi (Sadako), where she served as a gentlewoman or lady-in-waiting beginning around 993 until Teishi¡¯s death in 1000.
While specific details about Sei Shonagon and her book are difficult to confirm, it is believed she completed the book around 1002. It is the oldest book on my classics list. There are several editions of the book; it has been copied and recopied multiple times. I read the Penguin Classics edition which includes an informative introduction written by Meredith McKinney and is full of notes throughout. Well-researched and thorough, it also includes appendices such as a glossary as well as explanations of colors and clothes, social statuses, and more.
The Pillow Book is akin to a diary; Sei Shonagon mostly tells us stories of her daily life, gossips about her peers, comments on fashion and the seasons. It provides a perspective on imperial culture in all its luxury, privilege, and poetry and is considered a masterpiece of Japanese literature. According to Sei Shonagon, the book was supposed to have been kept private but started to circulate among the court members when it was discovered after she accidentally left it out on a mat one day around 996.
I have never read a book quite like this before. While I enjoyed it for its unique content and perspective, it lacks the cohesion I was used to as it jumps around throughout time periods, thoughts, and miscellany. At times, Sei Shonagon uses the pages to list examples of seemingly arbitrary topics of her choice, sometimes as ordinary as naming peaks, plants, or bodies of water but at other times are more thoughtful.
Those who are interested in learning about this era of Japanese history or life would find this book compelling. I would also recommend this book to poetry lovers, as poetry was an integral part of court society during this period. One¡¯s knowledge of poetry indicated their intellect, wit, and social standing; not only was one expected to know the greats but also to come up with original poetry on the spot. Communication between friends, colleagues, and lovers often took place via notes sent by messenger and these notes were often written in poetry, so one needed to be able to read, interpret, and create poems full of flirtation and puns for attention and glory. This was one of Sei Shonagon¡¯s talents; she aimed to delight and surprise with her poetry and humor.
March 1, 2019
Sei Shonagon is brilliant. She was a lady-in-waiting for Empress Teishi, the first empress of Emperor Ichijo. Ichijo loved her dearly, but when Teishi's father died prematurely, his younger brother, Fujiwara no Michinaga, rose to power, and Michinaga pushed his daughter, Shoshi, as Ichijo's additional empress. Teishi stayed in His Majesty's palace (the emperor could have multiple consorts anyway), but was distressed. Sei Shonagon tried to comfort Her Highness with her wit, which eventually resulted in this delightful collection of essays.
You can sense Sei Shonagon's frustration in her sharp sense of humor. But then, this book is not about politics. It's about the joy of life. With all the unreasonable things happening in life, the world is beautiful, and there are moments when we can truly celebrate it.
Sei Shonagon values "okashi" (delightful, enchanting, interesting) as opposed to "aware" in written by her contemporary Murasaki Shikibu. If you thought Genji was too watery with all the tears and morning dews, you might like this book better. Another major difference between the two is, of course, Genji is a giant novel whereas Pillow is a collection of short essays. Reading The Pillow Book is like reading your friend's FB updates--a friend who is witty, who is not afraid to say what she has to say, and who is fundamentally a good person.
Re the English translation
I read this in the original Japanese. There are several English translations, each by a different translator. I have not examined any of this, but the one by Meredith McKinney might be good--I've heard good things about her translation of . The one from Tuttle has anachronistic cover art--this book was written around 1000 and the cover shows Edo to early Meiji style woman, perhaps from the 19th century--which raises a question how sound the translation might be.
Update
I'm reading the translation by Ivan Morris. It's fair. However, note that he skips several chapters; so it's not a complete translation, and the chapter numbers don't match with the original.
You can sense Sei Shonagon's frustration in her sharp sense of humor. But then, this book is not about politics. It's about the joy of life. With all the unreasonable things happening in life, the world is beautiful, and there are moments when we can truly celebrate it.
Sei Shonagon values "okashi" (delightful, enchanting, interesting) as opposed to "aware" in written by her contemporary Murasaki Shikibu. If you thought Genji was too watery with all the tears and morning dews, you might like this book better. Another major difference between the two is, of course, Genji is a giant novel whereas Pillow is a collection of short essays. Reading The Pillow Book is like reading your friend's FB updates--a friend who is witty, who is not afraid to say what she has to say, and who is fundamentally a good person.
Re the English translation
I read this in the original Japanese. There are several English translations, each by a different translator. I have not examined any of this, but the one by Meredith McKinney might be good--I've heard good things about her translation of . The one from Tuttle has anachronistic cover art--this book was written around 1000 and the cover shows Edo to early Meiji style woman, perhaps from the 19th century--which raises a question how sound the translation might be.
Update
I'm reading the translation by Ivan Morris. It's fair. However, note that he skips several chapters; so it's not a complete translation, and the chapter numbers don't match with the original.
June 7, 2020
This famous 10th-century Japanese journal "The Pillow Book" (Penguin, 2006) by Sei Shonagon translated by Dr Meredith McKinney is a bit more descriptive than its predecessor "The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon" (Penguin, 1981) translated by Dr Ivan Morris as we can see to compare, tentatively, from the following extracted paragraphs:
[1]* In spring, the dawn -- when the slowly paling mountain rim is tinged with red, and wisps of faintly crimson-purple cloud float in the sky.
In summer, the night -- moonlit nights, of course, but also at the dark of the moon, it's beautiful when fireflies are dancing everywhere in a mazy flight. And it's delightful too to see just one or two fly through the darkness, glowing softly. Rain falling on a summer night is also lovely.
... (p. 3)
Morris's text:
1. In Spring It Is the Dawn
In spring it is the dawn that is most beautiful! As the light creeps over the hills, their outlines are dyed a faint red and wisps or purplish cloud trail over them.
In summer the nights. Not only when the moon shines, but on dark nights too, as the fireflies flit to and fro, and even when it rains, how beautiful it is!
... (p. 21)
However, the following seem to surprise us as the reverse, in terms of descriptiveness:
[4]* It breaks my heart to think of parents sending a beloved son into the priesthood. Poor priests, they're not the unfeeling lumps of wood that people take them for. They're despised for eating that dreadful monastic food, and their sleeping arrangements are no better. A young priest must naturally be full of curiosity, and how could he resist the forbidden urge to peep into a room, especially if there's a woman in there? But this is criticized as disgraceful too.
... (pp. 7-8)
Morris's text:
6. That Parents Should Bring Up Some Beloved Son
That parents should bring up some beloved son of theirs to be a priest is really distressing. No doubt it is an auspicious thing to do; but unfortunately most people are convinced that a priest is as important as a piece of wood, and they treat him accordingly. A priest lives poorly on meagre food, and cannot even sleep without being criticized. While he is young, it is only natural that he should be curious about all sorts of things, and, if there are women about, he will probably peep in their direction (though, to be sure, with a look of aversion on his face) What is wrong about that? Yet people immediately find fault with him for even so small a lapse.
... (pp. 25-26)
Being not a Japanese reader and nearly equally enjoying reading both texts, I have no idea which translated text is finer; therefore, such a decisive verdict should be honored to a committee whose Japanese and English scholarship has been acknowledged. If there are some Sei Shonagon newcomers who would like to start something simpler and manageable, I would recommend "The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon: The Diary of a Courtesan in Tenth-Century Japan" (Tuttle, 2011) translated by Arthur Waley.
Of course, we've long known this book's fame due to the formidable lady writer's witty observations, sense of humor, ancient traditions, etc. in which they undeniably reflect Japan's high level of literacy in the tenth century. In a word, there are innumerable scholars and Japanophiles who have since written and studied on this unique book as one of the great literary works of Japan. Thus, in my humble review I'd like to raise a point related to my observation first made after reading "Aubrey's Brief Lives" (Penguin, 1982) [/review/show...]
The point concerns with illegible calligraphy, ????????????????????, in an informal, spoken Thai phrase and I was amazed to come across an English phrase with a similar meaning as narrated in my Aubrey review. Surprisingly, I didn't expect to find another mentioned in this ancient work cited as follows:
You'd think that when some fine lady who's surrounded by a bevy of gentlewomen plans to send a message to someone of particular distinction, she should safely assume that none of her ladies would write it in some dreadful chicken scrawl. ... (p. 153)
The phrase in question 'in some dreadful chicken scrawl' depicting such illegibility has its apt meaning similar to the Thai phrase. This suggests at least two points: (1) Chicken as household fowls have long been domesticated and observed regarding their lives, nature, habits, etc., and (2) Writing legibility has long been admired, respected and treasured as one of the true attributes of scholarship in ancient Japan and old Siam/Thailand.
In brief, reading this book is worth spending our time since we can learn how they lived, behaved and interacted in the court around a thousand years ago in Japan. As such, I think, we simply can't help but admire the nostalgic glimpses brilliantly penned by one of the well-educated courtesans, a smart Japanese court lady named Sei Shonagon.
[1]* In spring, the dawn -- when the slowly paling mountain rim is tinged with red, and wisps of faintly crimson-purple cloud float in the sky.
In summer, the night -- moonlit nights, of course, but also at the dark of the moon, it's beautiful when fireflies are dancing everywhere in a mazy flight. And it's delightful too to see just one or two fly through the darkness, glowing softly. Rain falling on a summer night is also lovely.
... (p. 3)
Morris's text:
1. In Spring It Is the Dawn
In spring it is the dawn that is most beautiful! As the light creeps over the hills, their outlines are dyed a faint red and wisps or purplish cloud trail over them.
In summer the nights. Not only when the moon shines, but on dark nights too, as the fireflies flit to and fro, and even when it rains, how beautiful it is!
... (p. 21)
However, the following seem to surprise us as the reverse, in terms of descriptiveness:
[4]* It breaks my heart to think of parents sending a beloved son into the priesthood. Poor priests, they're not the unfeeling lumps of wood that people take them for. They're despised for eating that dreadful monastic food, and their sleeping arrangements are no better. A young priest must naturally be full of curiosity, and how could he resist the forbidden urge to peep into a room, especially if there's a woman in there? But this is criticized as disgraceful too.
... (pp. 7-8)
Morris's text:
6. That Parents Should Bring Up Some Beloved Son
That parents should bring up some beloved son of theirs to be a priest is really distressing. No doubt it is an auspicious thing to do; but unfortunately most people are convinced that a priest is as important as a piece of wood, and they treat him accordingly. A priest lives poorly on meagre food, and cannot even sleep without being criticized. While he is young, it is only natural that he should be curious about all sorts of things, and, if there are women about, he will probably peep in their direction (though, to be sure, with a look of aversion on his face) What is wrong about that? Yet people immediately find fault with him for even so small a lapse.
... (pp. 25-26)
Being not a Japanese reader and nearly equally enjoying reading both texts, I have no idea which translated text is finer; therefore, such a decisive verdict should be honored to a committee whose Japanese and English scholarship has been acknowledged. If there are some Sei Shonagon newcomers who would like to start something simpler and manageable, I would recommend "The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon: The Diary of a Courtesan in Tenth-Century Japan" (Tuttle, 2011) translated by Arthur Waley.
Of course, we've long known this book's fame due to the formidable lady writer's witty observations, sense of humor, ancient traditions, etc. in which they undeniably reflect Japan's high level of literacy in the tenth century. In a word, there are innumerable scholars and Japanophiles who have since written and studied on this unique book as one of the great literary works of Japan. Thus, in my humble review I'd like to raise a point related to my observation first made after reading "Aubrey's Brief Lives" (Penguin, 1982) [/review/show...]
The point concerns with illegible calligraphy, ????????????????????, in an informal, spoken Thai phrase and I was amazed to come across an English phrase with a similar meaning as narrated in my Aubrey review. Surprisingly, I didn't expect to find another mentioned in this ancient work cited as follows:
You'd think that when some fine lady who's surrounded by a bevy of gentlewomen plans to send a message to someone of particular distinction, she should safely assume that none of her ladies would write it in some dreadful chicken scrawl. ... (p. 153)
The phrase in question 'in some dreadful chicken scrawl' depicting such illegibility has its apt meaning similar to the Thai phrase. This suggests at least two points: (1) Chicken as household fowls have long been domesticated and observed regarding their lives, nature, habits, etc., and (2) Writing legibility has long been admired, respected and treasured as one of the true attributes of scholarship in ancient Japan and old Siam/Thailand.
In brief, reading this book is worth spending our time since we can learn how they lived, behaved and interacted in the court around a thousand years ago in Japan. As such, I think, we simply can't help but admire the nostalgic glimpses brilliantly penned by one of the well-educated courtesans, a smart Japanese court lady named Sei Shonagon.
April 11, 2018
Acknowledgements
Chronology
Introduction
Further Reading
Note on the Translation
--The Pillow Book
Appendix 1: Places
Appendix 2: People and Where They Appear
Appendix 3: Time
Appendix 4: Glossary of General Terms
Appendix 5: Court Ranks, Titles and Bureaucracy
Appendix 6: Clothes and Colour Glossary
Notes
Chronology
Introduction
Further Reading
Note on the Translation
--The Pillow Book
Appendix 1: Places
Appendix 2: People and Where They Appear
Appendix 3: Time
Appendix 4: Glossary of General Terms
Appendix 5: Court Ranks, Titles and Bureaucracy
Appendix 6: Clothes and Colour Glossary
Notes
September 25, 2020
Me ha parecido una historia encantadora. En ella, nos adentramos en la vida diaria, y en los gustos personales de una dama de la corte del emperador japon¨¦s del siglo X. Nos relata las costumbres del Jap¨®n de entonces. Pero es incre¨ªble como algunas de las reflexiones que ella hac¨ªa hace tantos siglos, no son tan diferentes de las que podr¨ªamos llegar nosotros hoy en d¨ªa.
He disfrutado mucho de la lectura de este libro.
He disfrutado mucho de la lectura de este libro.
July 4, 2023
Sooooooooo good. This was one of the last books on my to-read list of classical Japanese prose/poetry, and I figured it would be a tedious non-fiction companion to Shikibu's Tale of Genji, but I guess I'm in the minority insofar as I think Genji is both overrated and overlong, while the Pillow Book is not the shallow court gossip that I'd been expecting, but rather an aggressively charming collection of belles lettres.
I was immediately reminded of the diary of Samuel Pepys -- both high-ranking functionaries in the royal court, the same sense of immediacy, of daily life, the humor, the deft characterization and descriptions, etc., though Sh¨nagon is definitely a better writer, with more refined (some might say overrefined!) taste. The word "Proustian" is almost certainly overused, but her languid descriptions of flowers, romantic love, aristocratic society, etc., as well as her sensitivity to social gradations and niceties (if not her prose style) constantly reminded me of Proust, in a good way.
Probably the most surreal moment, for me, was where she was writing about all the ponds she had visited -- yes, it sounds boring but holy crap, her lists of random things are so compelling -- and halfway through she writes: "Saruwasa Pond is a very special place, because the Emperor paid it a formal visit when he heard how one of the Palace Maidens had drowned herself there."
I immediately thought of one of Hitomaro's most famous (and beautiful) poems on a similar topic, and then literally jumped up in my chair a little bit when I saw her next line: "Thinking of Hitomaro's marvelous words 'her hair tangled in sleep,' there's really nothing I can add" (?!). Definitely somewhat surprising that our minds went to the same line in the same poem, a thousand years apart, though of course it makes sense that a Japanese noblewoman in 1002 A.D. would also be a big fan of Hitomaro, lol.
I was immediately reminded of the diary of Samuel Pepys -- both high-ranking functionaries in the royal court, the same sense of immediacy, of daily life, the humor, the deft characterization and descriptions, etc., though Sh¨nagon is definitely a better writer, with more refined (some might say overrefined!) taste. The word "Proustian" is almost certainly overused, but her languid descriptions of flowers, romantic love, aristocratic society, etc., as well as her sensitivity to social gradations and niceties (if not her prose style) constantly reminded me of Proust, in a good way.
Probably the most surreal moment, for me, was where she was writing about all the ponds she had visited -- yes, it sounds boring but holy crap, her lists of random things are so compelling -- and halfway through she writes: "Saruwasa Pond is a very special place, because the Emperor paid it a formal visit when he heard how one of the Palace Maidens had drowned herself there."
I immediately thought of one of Hitomaro's most famous (and beautiful) poems on a similar topic, and then literally jumped up in my chair a little bit when I saw her next line: "Thinking of Hitomaro's marvelous words 'her hair tangled in sleep,' there's really nothing I can add" (?!). Definitely somewhat surprising that our minds went to the same line in the same poem, a thousand years apart, though of course it makes sense that a Japanese noblewoman in 1002 A.D. would also be a big fan of Hitomaro, lol.
June 17, 2010
I didn't expect to like this. But Sei Shonagon was blogging centuries before blogs existed. Her writings in her pillow book vary from lists of unpleasant things to descriptions of fashions to funny stories from the Japanese court life. The tone is a mixture of self-righteousness and wonder, which is why I kept thinking of Harriet the Spy. I learned a lot about Japanese culture at the time, almost by accident. And the Morris translation is heavily footnoted.
"There's really something sad about a woman with an ugly face."
"If I do not come first in people's affections, I had just as soon not be loved at all; in fact I would rather be hated or even maltreated. It is better to be dead than to be loved in the second or third place. Yes, I must be first."
"Whatever people may think of my book, I still regret that it ever came to light."
"There's really something sad about a woman with an ugly face."
"If I do not come first in people's affections, I had just as soon not be loved at all; in fact I would rather be hated or even maltreated. It is better to be dead than to be loved in the second or third place. Yes, I must be first."
"Whatever people may think of my book, I still regret that it ever came to light."
September 7, 2022
A calming, fascinating and hugely enjoyable read. I didn't know what to expect when I started this, but what I got was immensely satisfying. This is a book to be sipped slowly, like a fine brandy. Lots of footnotes, lots of things to think about. A thousand years old and really not much has changed, though so much has changed so much.
Sei Shonagon was a lady in waiting (for lack of a better term) to the Empress in Kyoto, over a thousand years ago. The Pillow Book is very much like what used to be termed a "pocket book" in the 17th-19th centuries: personal notes, memories, poems the author wrote herself or liked, lists of things she liked or disliked. Ostensibly private, it was however a conscious effort at "spin": the author was a member of one ruling clan which felt threatened (with reason, as it turned out) by the rise of another. Sei Shonagon presents an intentionally crafted view of life at the Kyoto court, with emphasis on how "delightful" and charming it all was. (However, she's not above being catty at times, and even a bit petty: in her view "the lower orders" shouldn't even admire their betters, as praise coming from the mouths of the hoi polloi is actually degrading!) At a time when Buddhism and Shinto were officially at loggerheads, we are given many descriptions of pilgrimages and ceremonies, from processions to shamanistic healing sessions. Who knew that a thousand plus years ago, sleeves were so important! For men and women both, the layered effect of kimono sleeves was important enough to make sure they were carefully arranged and in the right colours. If no one was there to see the effect it could spoil an outing in a carriage! Women spent a lot of their time sitting behind blinds and screens, but they managed to see everything they wanted to see. They must have done most of their sleeping during the day, as there are repeated references to sitting up talking all night until the servants bring around the morning washing water. Sei was apparently married, though her husband disappears early in the narrative, and there are several references to amorous encounters that can't all be based on hearsay! Living in a traditional open-plan Japanese building without inner walls doesn't seem to have cramped anyone's sexual style, either. Though Sei had at least two children, they are never mentioned, probably because pregnancy and motherhood were not sophisticated and charming.
The contrast between life in the court of Japan in about the year 970 and in Europe of the same period was intriguing. Over a thousand years ago the Japanese fascination with beautiful paper products and getting "the correct paper" for a particular use was already in place. Apparently it was the gift of a large quantity of top-quality paper that inspired the author to "make a bound book" (hand-bound, too) and start writing. Later she sent a draft of it to the princess, only to have the messenger fumble the parcel and drop it down the stairs!
The translation by Meredith McKinney is absolutely wonderful, preserving the freshness of narration without using ultra-modern turns of phrase that would grate on the ear. Though the numerous footnotes require quite a lot of flipping back and forth, they add a great deal to the reader's understanding.
This is a book that repays repeated readings, like listening to a favourite piece of music. It almost inspires me to start my own journal again, after a hiatus of nearly 40 years.
Sei Shonagon was a lady in waiting (for lack of a better term) to the Empress in Kyoto, over a thousand years ago. The Pillow Book is very much like what used to be termed a "pocket book" in the 17th-19th centuries: personal notes, memories, poems the author wrote herself or liked, lists of things she liked or disliked. Ostensibly private, it was however a conscious effort at "spin": the author was a member of one ruling clan which felt threatened (with reason, as it turned out) by the rise of another. Sei Shonagon presents an intentionally crafted view of life at the Kyoto court, with emphasis on how "delightful" and charming it all was. (However, she's not above being catty at times, and even a bit petty: in her view "the lower orders" shouldn't even admire their betters, as praise coming from the mouths of the hoi polloi is actually degrading!) At a time when Buddhism and Shinto were officially at loggerheads, we are given many descriptions of pilgrimages and ceremonies, from processions to shamanistic healing sessions. Who knew that a thousand plus years ago, sleeves were so important! For men and women both, the layered effect of kimono sleeves was important enough to make sure they were carefully arranged and in the right colours. If no one was there to see the effect it could spoil an outing in a carriage! Women spent a lot of their time sitting behind blinds and screens, but they managed to see everything they wanted to see. They must have done most of their sleeping during the day, as there are repeated references to sitting up talking all night until the servants bring around the morning washing water. Sei was apparently married, though her husband disappears early in the narrative, and there are several references to amorous encounters that can't all be based on hearsay! Living in a traditional open-plan Japanese building without inner walls doesn't seem to have cramped anyone's sexual style, either. Though Sei had at least two children, they are never mentioned, probably because pregnancy and motherhood were not sophisticated and charming.
The contrast between life in the court of Japan in about the year 970 and in Europe of the same period was intriguing. Over a thousand years ago the Japanese fascination with beautiful paper products and getting "the correct paper" for a particular use was already in place. Apparently it was the gift of a large quantity of top-quality paper that inspired the author to "make a bound book" (hand-bound, too) and start writing. Later she sent a draft of it to the princess, only to have the messenger fumble the parcel and drop it down the stairs!
The translation by Meredith McKinney is absolutely wonderful, preserving the freshness of narration without using ultra-modern turns of phrase that would grate on the ear. Though the numerous footnotes require quite a lot of flipping back and forth, they add a great deal to the reader's understanding.
This is a book that repays repeated readings, like listening to a favourite piece of music. It almost inspires me to start my own journal again, after a hiatus of nearly 40 years.
May 13, 2020
1000 year old Courtesan Tells All (or almost all)
The Heian period in Japan, that lasted around 390 years, coming to an end in the 1180s, is one of the most interesting in world history. While daily life must have been a struggle as always, a bubble of court life grew up in Kyoto that produced art and literature among the best in the classical world. Within that bubble, the effete concentration on poetry, paper, perfume and parties gave rise to a society (court society and its connected political houses) that has perhaps never been equaled in its sensitive delicacy. We are speaking about the same society that within the time frame of 960 A.D. to 1025 produced the ¡°Ochikubo Monogatari¡±, Lady Murasaki Shikibu, the author of ¡°The Tale of Genji¡± and Sei Sh¨nagon, the author of this book.
The pillow-book is a kind of diary laden with the random or sharp-tongued comments about court life by the author. There are several such books known, each by a different lady. Because much of the content concerns literary allusions, puns, and witticisms unintelligible even to modern Japanese, the translator, the well-known Arthur Waley, has edited this work, cutting it considerably and putting explanatory comments in from time to time. Probably the right way to go. The picture that emerges is fascinating.
She writes of things that annoy her, things that she likes, things that make her happy. She offers a list of dislikes and tells what kind of social faux pas people made. The society there seemed not to be interested in any practical matter, even though they were extremely literate. Delicate expressions of love and descriptions of nature in that minimalist Japanese style covered sheets of unbelievably elaborate paper. Having bad handwriting at that time was like farting at dinner. You could not escape ridicule or censure. Sh¨nagon writes of a cuckoo-listening expedition, and an extended visit to a Buddhist temple about which she says, ¡°When you go, bring as many friends as possible.¡± As we read, we discover that nerds existed in late 10th century Japan. She discusses the link between rain and romance, and tells about a toothache. In fact the strongest impression I had was that here was a clever, witty gossip columnist writing for herself. She records how she was turned off by watching a bunch of workmen scarf down their lunches. She wants to slap an erring messenger and hates both rude servants and ¡°plantnappers¡± in her garden. She says that ¡°getting hold of a lot of stories none of which one has read before¡± makes her happy. That should go down well on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ!
This is a charming, if short, book that will attract anyone with an interest in unchanging human nature all over the world, throughout history (and no doubt before). As a picture of a vanished world, it is perfect. Just don¡¯t think that this is ¡°Japan¡±. It is a tiny, delicate slice.
P.S. I read an old edition that I bought in 1961.
The Heian period in Japan, that lasted around 390 years, coming to an end in the 1180s, is one of the most interesting in world history. While daily life must have been a struggle as always, a bubble of court life grew up in Kyoto that produced art and literature among the best in the classical world. Within that bubble, the effete concentration on poetry, paper, perfume and parties gave rise to a society (court society and its connected political houses) that has perhaps never been equaled in its sensitive delicacy. We are speaking about the same society that within the time frame of 960 A.D. to 1025 produced the ¡°Ochikubo Monogatari¡±, Lady Murasaki Shikibu, the author of ¡°The Tale of Genji¡± and Sei Sh¨nagon, the author of this book.
The pillow-book is a kind of diary laden with the random or sharp-tongued comments about court life by the author. There are several such books known, each by a different lady. Because much of the content concerns literary allusions, puns, and witticisms unintelligible even to modern Japanese, the translator, the well-known Arthur Waley, has edited this work, cutting it considerably and putting explanatory comments in from time to time. Probably the right way to go. The picture that emerges is fascinating.
She writes of things that annoy her, things that she likes, things that make her happy. She offers a list of dislikes and tells what kind of social faux pas people made. The society there seemed not to be interested in any practical matter, even though they were extremely literate. Delicate expressions of love and descriptions of nature in that minimalist Japanese style covered sheets of unbelievably elaborate paper. Having bad handwriting at that time was like farting at dinner. You could not escape ridicule or censure. Sh¨nagon writes of a cuckoo-listening expedition, and an extended visit to a Buddhist temple about which she says, ¡°When you go, bring as many friends as possible.¡± As we read, we discover that nerds existed in late 10th century Japan. She discusses the link between rain and romance, and tells about a toothache. In fact the strongest impression I had was that here was a clever, witty gossip columnist writing for herself. She records how she was turned off by watching a bunch of workmen scarf down their lunches. She wants to slap an erring messenger and hates both rude servants and ¡°plantnappers¡± in her garden. She says that ¡°getting hold of a lot of stories none of which one has read before¡± makes her happy. That should go down well on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ!
This is a charming, if short, book that will attract anyone with an interest in unchanging human nature all over the world, throughout history (and no doubt before). As a picture of a vanished world, it is perfect. Just don¡¯t think that this is ¡°Japan¡±. It is a tiny, delicate slice.
P.S. I read an old edition that I bought in 1961.
April 30, 2016
It's always nice to find a classic that's entertaining; consider Don Quixote. It's even nicer when that classic can be read in ten minute increments just before bed, and I recommend that everyone do precisely that with The Pillow Book. There are plenty of novels out there, plenty of poetry collections, popular philosophy books, essay collections, lots of literary criticism, memoirs and so on. This combines all of those things, and does all of them well. I could quote at great length, but won't. Here's a couple of bits that I enjoyed:
185: Nothing in all the world could be worse than a man or woman who turns out to use words vulgarly... it's actually not a bad thing to use vulgar or unseemly words intentionally, knowing them for what they are. What's astonishing is when someone produces a word from their private store without pausing to consider its nature.
243: I particularly despise people who express themselves poorly in writing.
Amen, Sei, Amen.
I'd also like to recommend that everyone get this newer Penguin edition, translated by Meredith McKinney. Even if you knew nothing of Heian Japan (and I know very little), you'd still be able to enjoy the writing and wit thanks to McKinney's translation and notes. A model of scholarship for the common reader.
185: Nothing in all the world could be worse than a man or woman who turns out to use words vulgarly... it's actually not a bad thing to use vulgar or unseemly words intentionally, knowing them for what they are. What's astonishing is when someone produces a word from their private store without pausing to consider its nature.
243: I particularly despise people who express themselves poorly in writing.
Amen, Sei, Amen.
I'd also like to recommend that everyone get this newer Penguin edition, translated by Meredith McKinney. Even if you knew nothing of Heian Japan (and I know very little), you'd still be able to enjoy the writing and wit thanks to McKinney's translation and notes. A model of scholarship for the common reader.
June 7, 2020
Impressively I found this translated book by Dr Ivan Morris interestingly enjoyable, informative and more in detail than the one by Dr Arthur Waley in the same title (Tuttle, 2011) since it totally comprises 185 topics followed by each translated text. Unfortunately, this book is not the complete translation because you have to read it in another one by another publisher, that is, Oxford University Press and Columbia University Press, 1967 (p. 16). In the meantime, I think we should be content with this fine rendering and these three extracts presented here are for you to try his English version:
1. In Spring It Is the Dawn
In Spring it is the dawn that is most beautiful. As the light creeps over the hills, their outlines are dyed a faint read and wisps of purplish cloud trail over them.
In summer the nights. Not only when the moon shines, but on dark nights too, as the fireflies flit to and fro, and even when it rains, how beautiful it is!
¡ (p. 21)
13. Depressing Things
A dog howling in the daytime. A wickerwork fish-net in spring. A res plum-blossom dress in the Third or Fourth Months. A lying-in room when the baby has died. A cold, empty brazier. An ox-driver who hates his oxen. A scholar whose wife has one girl child after another.
One has gone to a friend¡¯s house to avoid an unlucky direction, but nothing is done to entertain one; if this should happen at the time of a Seasonal Change, it is still more depressing.
¡ (p. 40)
29. Elegant Things
A white coat worn over a violet waistcoat.
Duck eggs.
Shaved ice mixed with liana syrup and put it in a new silver bowl.
A rosary of rock crystal.
Wistaria blossoms. Plum blossoms covered with snow.
A pretty child eating strawberries. (p. 69)
1. In Spring It Is the Dawn
In Spring it is the dawn that is most beautiful. As the light creeps over the hills, their outlines are dyed a faint read and wisps of purplish cloud trail over them.
In summer the nights. Not only when the moon shines, but on dark nights too, as the fireflies flit to and fro, and even when it rains, how beautiful it is!
¡ (p. 21)
13. Depressing Things
A dog howling in the daytime. A wickerwork fish-net in spring. A res plum-blossom dress in the Third or Fourth Months. A lying-in room when the baby has died. A cold, empty brazier. An ox-driver who hates his oxen. A scholar whose wife has one girl child after another.
One has gone to a friend¡¯s house to avoid an unlucky direction, but nothing is done to entertain one; if this should happen at the time of a Seasonal Change, it is still more depressing.
¡ (p. 40)
29. Elegant Things
A white coat worn over a violet waistcoat.
Duck eggs.
Shaved ice mixed with liana syrup and put it in a new silver bowl.
A rosary of rock crystal.
Wistaria blossoms. Plum blossoms covered with snow.
A pretty child eating strawberries. (p. 69)
May 15, 2022
An unexpectedly lovely book. Full of details about life at the Japanese imperial court more than a thousand years ago, beautiful imagery, court gossip, anecdotes, poetry. Sei Sh¨nagon must have had an amazing visual memory - the descriptions of clothes are wonderfully detailed.
At times the author comes across as an obnoxious snob. A few pages later, there is a paragraph that is personal and poignant.
My favourite part of the book: the lists! Did I mentions the lists? "Things that make the heart beat faster". "Things that give a comfortable feeling." Etc... Give me more, please.
At times the author comes across as an obnoxious snob. A few pages later, there is a paragraph that is personal and poignant.
My favourite part of the book: the lists! Did I mentions the lists? "Things that make the heart beat faster". "Things that give a comfortable feeling." Etc... Give me more, please.
August 24, 2023
30 Books in 30 Days / Book #23
WiT 2023 / Book #6
12 Classics / Book #8
3.5*
WiT 2023 / Book #6
12 Classics / Book #8
3.5*
September 5, 2019
¡°Everything that cries at night I find splendid, except for baby¡¯s¡± - Sei Sonagon
This thousand year old book has a lot of still very relatable observations besides the one above. Sonagon also does not like people who are to assertive, certain coloured clothing, the embarrassment that comes from talking behind someones back (and that person actually overhearing) and off course: mosquitos.
The Pillowbook is kind of a diary, with decadent snippets of imperial court life intertwined with lists with do¡¯s and don¡¯ts, which reminded me a lot of current day lifestyle magazines (for instance the author reminds us on what lakes to visit and what colours fit certain seasons). Also sometimes things get a bit more juicy or snappish and its like your reading an ancient and literary version of Sex and the City. All this makes the book an interesting and remarkable easy read for a modern day reader, even though there is not really a coherent story, character development or an apotheosis.
The way how she captures moments before they are gone forever, which is especially poignant because this Dutch translation is very carefully and lovingly annotated, giving much context on the historical events, including the fact that the empress Sonagan serves fell from grace and died quite young, is excellent.
What is overly apparent in the world of the medieval Japanese Imperial court is that people have too much time at hand. Court ceremonies, nightly encounters with lovers, Buddhist temple visits and lots of moving about between various palaces fill the days and years of Sonagon and her peers. Poetry is used as a hidden language and comes back seemingly in every conversation. Everyone is looking to recite an appropriate poem for the circumstances at hand, be it in written or oral responses. The only modern day equivalent I could think of is how people on sites like Tumblr use internet memes, while I also had associations with Victorian plant language. It gives an impression of a live not spend outside in the world but only known through books, which is probably correct given that women were often times hidden behind blinds or stately curtains even in the court itself.
Sonagon as a person is not very clearly pictured from her Pillowbook. Is she really a favourite of the empress and as witty and literary skilled as she tries to come across? Or are the sections in the end more true, where she is corrected by the empress for using the word ¡°unbearable¡± in a response and where she sends of a commoner, whose house and livelihood burnt down due to sparks from the palace, cruelly away with a poem as only compensation, closer to the true Sonagon? In her defence, at times she does come across as very frank, for instance by admitting that she feels a pang of joy when something bad happens to someone she loathes and how nice it is to sometimes gossip. But in the end she does strike me as a lady who likes to portray herself in a positive manner, talking to us as readers in a way not unlike some modern day aunts during a dinner party with the rest of the family would do.
Overall an interesting read, especially since I am fond of Japanese culture, and enough to ponder about, without even the burden to seek a fitting poem for capturing the whole experience of reading the Pillowbook. 3,5 stars.
This thousand year old book has a lot of still very relatable observations besides the one above. Sonagon also does not like people who are to assertive, certain coloured clothing, the embarrassment that comes from talking behind someones back (and that person actually overhearing) and off course: mosquitos.
The Pillowbook is kind of a diary, with decadent snippets of imperial court life intertwined with lists with do¡¯s and don¡¯ts, which reminded me a lot of current day lifestyle magazines (for instance the author reminds us on what lakes to visit and what colours fit certain seasons). Also sometimes things get a bit more juicy or snappish and its like your reading an ancient and literary version of Sex and the City. All this makes the book an interesting and remarkable easy read for a modern day reader, even though there is not really a coherent story, character development or an apotheosis.
The way how she captures moments before they are gone forever, which is especially poignant because this Dutch translation is very carefully and lovingly annotated, giving much context on the historical events, including the fact that the empress Sonagan serves fell from grace and died quite young, is excellent.
What is overly apparent in the world of the medieval Japanese Imperial court is that people have too much time at hand. Court ceremonies, nightly encounters with lovers, Buddhist temple visits and lots of moving about between various palaces fill the days and years of Sonagon and her peers. Poetry is used as a hidden language and comes back seemingly in every conversation. Everyone is looking to recite an appropriate poem for the circumstances at hand, be it in written or oral responses. The only modern day equivalent I could think of is how people on sites like Tumblr use internet memes, while I also had associations with Victorian plant language. It gives an impression of a live not spend outside in the world but only known through books, which is probably correct given that women were often times hidden behind blinds or stately curtains even in the court itself.
Sonagon as a person is not very clearly pictured from her Pillowbook. Is she really a favourite of the empress and as witty and literary skilled as she tries to come across? Or are the sections in the end more true, where she is corrected by the empress for using the word ¡°unbearable¡± in a response and where she sends of a commoner, whose house and livelihood burnt down due to sparks from the palace, cruelly away with a poem as only compensation, closer to the true Sonagon? In her defence, at times she does come across as very frank, for instance by admitting that she feels a pang of joy when something bad happens to someone she loathes and how nice it is to sometimes gossip. But in the end she does strike me as a lady who likes to portray herself in a positive manner, talking to us as readers in a way not unlike some modern day aunts during a dinner party with the rest of the family would do.
Overall an interesting read, especially since I am fond of Japanese culture, and enough to ponder about, without even the burden to seek a fitting poem for capturing the whole experience of reading the Pillowbook. 3,5 stars.
June 7, 2020
I preferred this memoir-like book less than its contemporary one "The Gossamer Years" (Tuttle, 1964) translated by Edward Seidensticker. Translated by Arthur Waley, one of the great Orientalists, its recorded episodes have been fragmentary, presumably newly compiled under headings for more ease in reading as well as following the author¡¯s train of thought.
This information related to ¡°The Gossamer Years¡±, I think, should throw more light on our understanding:
Very little is known of the author outside of what is related in her diary. Her name is unknown ¨C but she was related to the Lady Murasaki, author of The Tale of Genji, and to Sei Shonagon, author of The Pillow Book. (Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ)
Moreover, from the forward by Dennis Washburn, we know that this book presents ¡°a vivid narrative voice in essays that present her views on many different topics dealing with proper etiquette, literary taste, or the ideal courtier.¡± (p. 17) Even though we can find another full-length English translations by Ivan Morris and Meredith McKinney, we should read this one since ¡° ¡, Waley continues to be revered and his work still read, and deservedly so ¨C not simply because of his historical importance ¡, but because the beauty of his prose captures the artistic spirit of a brilliant and fascinating woman of Heian Japan.¡± (p. 19)
However, having recently read its translation by Dr Ivan Morris in the same title (Penguin, 1981), I found this book has notably been supplemented by Dr Arthur Waley¡¯s remarks followed by his translated texts, in other words, we would read his added explanatory lines then his translation deemed appropriate from the original Japanese book. Thus, its opening paragraph on page 23 and its subsequent 47.5 pages should be read as a lengthy introduction till we find the first topic, MASAHIRO. To allow my readers to be familiar with his style from its first paragraph extracted, the first topics are presented for you to try.
MASAHIRO
Everyone laughs at Masahiro. It must really be very painful for his parents and friends. If he is seen anywhere with at all a decent-looking servant in attendance upon him, someone is sure to send for the fellow and ask him whether he can be in his senses, to wait upon such a master. Everything at his house is extremely well done and he chooses his clothes with unusually good taste; but the only result is to make people say: ¡°How nice those things would look on anyone else!¡±
¡ (p. 71)
ANNOYING THINGS
When one sends a poem or a kayeshi (¡°return-poem¡±) to someone and, after it has gone, thinks of some small alteration ¨C perhaps only a couple of letters ¨C that would have improved it.
¡ (p. 76)
VERY TIRESOME THINGS
When a poem of one¡¯s own, that one has allowed someone else to use as his, is singled out for praise.
¡ (p. 81)
etc.
Furthermore, these are the following topics in which you may read as you like.
MISCELLANEOUS
NARINOBU
THE STORM
PILGRIMAGE TO THE HASEDERA
STRAY NOTES
PRETTY THINGS
CHILDREN
THINGS THAT GIVE ME AN UNCOMFROTABLE FEELING
TOOTHACHE
ILLNESS
This information related to ¡°The Gossamer Years¡±, I think, should throw more light on our understanding:
Very little is known of the author outside of what is related in her diary. Her name is unknown ¨C but she was related to the Lady Murasaki, author of The Tale of Genji, and to Sei Shonagon, author of The Pillow Book. (Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ)
Moreover, from the forward by Dennis Washburn, we know that this book presents ¡°a vivid narrative voice in essays that present her views on many different topics dealing with proper etiquette, literary taste, or the ideal courtier.¡± (p. 17) Even though we can find another full-length English translations by Ivan Morris and Meredith McKinney, we should read this one since ¡° ¡, Waley continues to be revered and his work still read, and deservedly so ¨C not simply because of his historical importance ¡, but because the beauty of his prose captures the artistic spirit of a brilliant and fascinating woman of Heian Japan.¡± (p. 19)
However, having recently read its translation by Dr Ivan Morris in the same title (Penguin, 1981), I found this book has notably been supplemented by Dr Arthur Waley¡¯s remarks followed by his translated texts, in other words, we would read his added explanatory lines then his translation deemed appropriate from the original Japanese book. Thus, its opening paragraph on page 23 and its subsequent 47.5 pages should be read as a lengthy introduction till we find the first topic, MASAHIRO. To allow my readers to be familiar with his style from its first paragraph extracted, the first topics are presented for you to try.
MASAHIRO
Everyone laughs at Masahiro. It must really be very painful for his parents and friends. If he is seen anywhere with at all a decent-looking servant in attendance upon him, someone is sure to send for the fellow and ask him whether he can be in his senses, to wait upon such a master. Everything at his house is extremely well done and he chooses his clothes with unusually good taste; but the only result is to make people say: ¡°How nice those things would look on anyone else!¡±
¡ (p. 71)
ANNOYING THINGS
When one sends a poem or a kayeshi (¡°return-poem¡±) to someone and, after it has gone, thinks of some small alteration ¨C perhaps only a couple of letters ¨C that would have improved it.
¡ (p. 76)
VERY TIRESOME THINGS
When a poem of one¡¯s own, that one has allowed someone else to use as his, is singled out for praise.
¡ (p. 81)
etc.
Furthermore, these are the following topics in which you may read as you like.
MISCELLANEOUS
NARINOBU
THE STORM
PILGRIMAGE TO THE HASEDERA
STRAY NOTES
PRETTY THINGS
CHILDREN
THINGS THAT GIVE ME AN UNCOMFROTABLE FEELING
TOOTHACHE
ILLNESS
July 4, 2021
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July 18, 2022
4.5 ??
Erstmals liegt einer der gr??ten Klassiker der japanischen Literatur in einer vollst?ndigen deutschen ?bersetzung vor.
Das Buch Kopfkissenbuch der Hofdame Sei Sh?nagon wurde zwischen 996 und 1008 verfasst. Inhaltlich besteht es aus Auflistungen, kurzen Essays mit pers?nlichen Gedanken und Schilderungen des Hoflebens. Der literarische Wert liegt in den lebendigen Beschreibungen von h?fischen Ritualen sowie formellen und informellen Interaktionen zwischen Hofdamen, W¨¹rdentr?gern und Zofen und nicht zuletzt der Kaiserin.
Da die Texte nicht chronologisch geordnet sind und es sich zudem un lose zusammenh?ngende Assoziationen handelt, ist es manchmal schwer, das Grosse Ganze nicht aus dem Blick zu verlieren. Nichtsdestotrotz eine Fundgrube f¨¹r alle, die sich f¨¹r die japanische Klassik interessieren und wissen m?chten, wie es sich damals am Kaiserhof in Kyoto lebte.
Viel Spass beim Lesen.
Mehr zum Buch:
Erstmals liegt einer der gr??ten Klassiker der japanischen Literatur in einer vollst?ndigen deutschen ?bersetzung vor.
Das Buch Kopfkissenbuch der Hofdame Sei Sh?nagon wurde zwischen 996 und 1008 verfasst. Inhaltlich besteht es aus Auflistungen, kurzen Essays mit pers?nlichen Gedanken und Schilderungen des Hoflebens. Der literarische Wert liegt in den lebendigen Beschreibungen von h?fischen Ritualen sowie formellen und informellen Interaktionen zwischen Hofdamen, W¨¹rdentr?gern und Zofen und nicht zuletzt der Kaiserin.
Da die Texte nicht chronologisch geordnet sind und es sich zudem un lose zusammenh?ngende Assoziationen handelt, ist es manchmal schwer, das Grosse Ganze nicht aus dem Blick zu verlieren. Nichtsdestotrotz eine Fundgrube f¨¹r alle, die sich f¨¹r die japanische Klassik interessieren und wissen m?chten, wie es sich damals am Kaiserhof in Kyoto lebte.
Viel Spass beim Lesen.
Mehr zum Buch:
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