The Pillow Book (Classics)

A different time, a different world but somehow comforting
Sometimes as a good book comes to an end you know you’ll miss the authors voice..In this case in true Japanese fashion, I am enjoying the last pages as slowly as possible with real Japanese plum wine from Wakayama, capital city of Wakayama Prefecture in the Kansai region of (central) Japan 🇯🇵.The book from the Heian period, a time of relative peace is not for everyone. Needing 3 bookmarks to cover glossary and notes/appendices its an interesting look at a senior gentlewomens mind in the empresses service. Common to the period, some sections are simply random thoughts and lists of related events. But much of traditional japanese culture and its subtleties, is shown. From correctness of address those of other ranks to dress codes and the showing of sleeves. Replies to any message must be suitably and carefully aligned with the wealth of known Chinese and Japanese poetry, much of which I have now learnt and will continue to follow.The book, regardless of title is not erotic, although it hints at love affairs and moonlight to dawn visits. The pillow book, means papers kept by the bed for recording random thoughts upon waking, and book as in bound loose leaf pages.Farewell dear Sei Shōnagon. I shall miss your often observant, sometimes judgemental and cruel but always intelligent and witty commentary. May it forever be havest and festival time where you lie.

It is not what you think
I mentioned to an acquaintance that I was reading this classic, having seen it mentioned several times in other reading. His reaction made it clear that he was surprised that I would take an interest in antique risqué literature; but this book is not that. The pillow in the title is a figure of speech, but is not a glancing way of referring to bed or sex. Marshmallows and dumplings are sometimes described as pillows, but those foods are not, so far as I know, considered especially sexy. And though it was not mentioned in the book, the pillow that Sei Shonagon might have been using wasn’t even necessarily very soft. You’ve seen pictures, I’m sure, of pillow blocks which elevate the head but aren’t stuffed with down or anything like it. The pillow in this case is a support, a rest, an accessory of taking it easy. The book very much reminds me of certain miscellany blogs, where the blogger notes down all manner of stuff as it occurs to her or him. In this case it is a blog with comments turned off, save for the extremely valuable explanatory footnotes. One amazing thing is the great variety of textiles. Another, less noticeable at first, is the amazing absence of almost all food. The occasional illustrations are interesting so far as they go, but could have been more informative. On my little Kindle they expand, but expanding degrades the resolution so it is counterproductive. I am now wading through The Tale of Genji, a rather different sort of book, and a little later, but reading The Pillow Book was a pleasant introduction to that world.

Splendidly written
I already have the book, and I love it. It’s such an interesting subject to find out how life was in japan’s imperial courts. History is one of my favorite subjects.

Written 1000 years ago
How was life in the royal court of ancient Japan? Read this book and find out.

大変読みやすい英文で，日本の古文書籍でありながら寧ろ英文で心象描写を深化確認するように読み進めました。気軽にすいすい読めて楽しめます。

A fascinating, entertaining, instructive and amusing read. A lady-in-waiting to the Empress in the Japanese palace 1000 years ago, Sei Shonogan shows respect for the royal court, but she was not over-awed by it. With immense human sympathy she describes the foibles and follies of her fellow courtiers, recognising the very ordinary human traits that underlay all their aristocratic nobility. Her Pillow Book also gives many fascinating insights into 10th century Japanese life.