A primary source is a work that is being studied, or that provides firsthand or direct evidence on a topic. Memoirs of a lady on the make 1,000 years ago in japan, a court ladyinwaiting, sei shonagon, kept a journal, her pillow book, of her life, loves and intense dislikes. This very enlightening book came from sei shonagon who was a court lady in tenthcentury japan. Its the kind of book best read in small bits and pieces, kind of like a diary, although it isnt one, exactly. Thats the overall impression i got from this book it reads very much like a modern livejournal or blog, being a collection of random observations on whatever shonagon found interesting, lists of things she likes or dislikes, and snippets or scraps of poetry.
If sei shonagon were alive today, she would be a livejournalist. A contemporary of murasaki shikibu, who wrote the tale of genji, she reflects the same concern with style and taste. Written by japans original blogger, a mistress of wry observation and scalding wit, sei shonagons the pillow book retains its fresh, authentic appeal more than 1,000 years after its. It is not the complete pillow book of sei shonagon, but rather contains only a portion of the whole work. Heian court culture the pillow book of sei shonagon zuihitsu miscellany and waka 31 syllable poetry concepts. Through his elegant and readable abridged translation, arthur waley perfectly conveys sei shonagon s girlish temperament and quirky. Sei served her empress during the late heian period a particularly vibrant time for japanese arts and the beginning of japans feudal age and was a. The makura no soshi, or the pillow book as it is generally known in english, is a collection of personal reflections and anecdotes about life in the japanese royal court composed around the turn of the eleventh century by a woman known as sei shonagon. The pillow book of sei shonagon by arthur waley overdrive. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on litcharts.
Provides an observant sense of time and place with humor and specificity. Written by a lady of the court at the height of heian culture, this book enthralls with its lively gossip, witty observations, and subtle impressions. Sei shonagons pillow book makura no soshi is the private journal of a ladyinwaiting to the empress of japan written during the 990s. This study guide consists of approximately 32 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the pillow book of sei sh. Satire in the pillow book there is no audience in sei shonagons pillow book, so even though her implications may be less apparent, the satire is still just as immanent. In fact, although i didnt choose to do this, you could take a hint from the books title and read a little bit of it as you hit the pillow every night.
Through his elegant and readable abridged translation, arthur waley perfectly conveys sei shonagons girlish temperament and quirky. Women essential questions the author what we dont know about sei shonagon. She isnt my sei shonagon, and she certainly isnt ivan morriss, but shes a sei shonagon who makes a lot of people nod and smile, and this is enough to prove the. A pillow book is a sort of diary filled with the days observations. The work, which is regarded as being of the greatest importance in japanese literature, is almost unknown in the west. Chapter literature selection the pillow book 12 by sei shonagon. A contemporary of murasaki shikibu, who wrote the tale of genji, sei shonagon reflects the same concern with style and taste typical of the period. As the light creeps over the hills, their outlines are dyed a faint red and wisps of purplish cloud trail over them. Pillow book of sei shonagon paper topics the pillow book of. They squeal and exclaim how unpleasant and absurd the behavior is as a form of their gathering and social activity gossip 39. The narrators personality is hard to pin down or predict. Images overview summary it begins with a poetic admiration of the four seasons, then a list of pet peeves called hateful things such as tiresome visitors, annoying inkstick mistakes sleepy priests performing exorcists, and random conversations. The pillow book sei shonagon poems, translated into engliish. A pillow book is an openended and spontaneous collection of fragments, and as such may include lists, observations, poems, short personal essays and diary entries.
For example, shonagon mentions in the pillow book how a courtier asked her for advice for writing a. The pillow book of sei shonagon paper topics women behavior 28. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in the pillow book, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Apr 11, 2014 a pillow book is an openended and spontaneous collection of fragments, and as such may include lists, observations, poems, short personal essays and diary entries. The pillow of sei shonagon pattern by larissa brown. The timeline below shows where the character sei shonagon appears in the pillow book. Pillow book of sei shonagon paper topics the pillow book. Every now and then she provides a list of things, which are like tiny exhibitions organised by an unpredictable curator. Jan 18, 2010 ive been hearing a lot about the pillow book lately, emily, but these choice excerpts really seal the deal. Sei shonagons the pillow book translated by meredith mckinney is one. Written by a lady of the court at the height of heian culture, this book enthralls wi. Open library is an initiative of the internet archive, a 501c3 nonprofit, building a digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
While others may be more familiar with murasaki shikibus the tale of genji as an example of classic japanese literature of the time, i chose the pillow book instead i always lean towards bucking the trend and i was intrigued by what i had read of sei. The pillow book, written about 1002, is a collection of impressions of court life by the court lady sei shonagon. Introduction sei shonagons pillow book makura no soshi is the private journal of a ladyinwaiting to the empress of japan written during the 990s. The pillow book themes from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. An interactive data visualization of the pillow books plot and themes. She wrote her pillow book, or collection of personal reflections, dur ing her years of service as ladyinwaiting to the empress sadako. The pillow book presents both a slice of life and a way of life. Its a sort of mishmash memoir gossip, reflections, lists, and personal recollections are all mingled together, with a light, poetic delicacy that still is striking today.
Sei shonagon was born in japan around the year 965 ce and served as a lady in waiting to empress sadako. Instant downloads of all 1296 litchart pdfs including the pillow book. Feb 22, 2014 written by japans original blogger, a mistress of wry observation and scalding wit, sei shonagons the pillow book retains its fresh, authentic appeal more than 1,000 years after its. The classic portrayal of court life in tenthcentury japan written by the court gentlewoman sei shonagon, ostensibly for her own amusement, the pillow book offers a fascinating exploration of life among the nobility at the height of the heian period, describing the exquisite pleasures of a confined world in which poetry, love, fashion, and whim dominated, while harsh reality was kept firmly at.
The pillow book, makura no soshi is a book of observations and musings recorded by sei shonagon. Common types of primary sources include works of literature, historical documents, original philosophical writings, and religious texts. She wrote the pillow book around1002 and is a collection of impressions of court life. She was a tremendously witty lady of the court in 10th century japan who kept a private diary of various lists and commentaries, and this is one of them. These poems sadly are not translated in the film and this is. It is still a shrewd guide to sex, snobbery and political. The pillow book best translationedition showing of 3. The pillow book is a collection of anecdotes, lists, and assorted writings that is one of the best sources of information concerning the court society of the tenth century and is considered an influential. Nov 30, 2006 the pillow book of sei shonagon is a fascinating look at japanese court culture during the 11th century heian period 794 to 1186. Heian court culture the pillow book of sei shonagon. Sei shonagans pillow book, completed in the year 1002, was a diary of lists, events at court, and private thoughts.
This position afforded shonagon an ideal opportunity to observe the people and customs at the royal court in heian. The pillow book of sei shonagon by sei shonagon alibris. The pillow book is a 1996 erotic drama film written and directed by peter greenaway, which stars vivian wu as nagiko, a japanese model in search of pleasure and new cultural experience from various lovers. Hateful things by sei shonagon hateful things is an excerpt from sei shonagons pillow book. The pillow book themes from litcharts the creators of. Chapter literature selection the pillow book 12 by sei.
The film is a melding of dark modern drama with idealised chinese and japanese cultural themes and settings, and centres on body painting. Her name her birthdeath date her relationships husbandchildren her life after the court what we know about sei shonagon. A fat person with a great amount of hair looks hot someone whos. Every now and then she provides a list of things, which are like. Jul 30, 2008 sei shonagon s pillow book, written by a court gentlewoman in 10th century japan, is thoroughly enjoyable. Apr 20, 2017 the pillow book makura no soshi is a personalised account of life at the japanese court by sei shonagon which she completed c. Hateful things the following is an excerpt from the pillow book, a japanese classic.
Reviews of the the pillow book until now about the e book we have now the pillow book comments consumers havent still eventually left their particular overview of the action, or you cannot make out the print still. In this 5 part program, karen lindsey reads professor ivan morris translation of the pillow book, 1967 a book of observations and musings recorded by sei shonagon during her time as court lady to empress consort teishi during the 990s and early 11th century in heian japan. The pillow book of sei shonagon columbia university press. As a member of the imperial court, she was known for her wit and poetry. This lesson is intended to use literature of its time to help students understand heian court culture. The selections in this anthology are meant to showcase the variety of shonagons musings and anecdotes 457 the pillow book. Shonagon has an unbelievable talent to make readers aware of their own aggrandized responses while. The pillow book, on the other hand, is a plain record of fact, and being at least ten times as long as murasakis diary, and far more varied in contents, it is the most important document of the period that we possess. Reviews of the the pillow book until now about the ebook we have now the pillow book comments consumers havent still eventually left their particular overview of the action, or you cannot make out the print still. Nov 30, 2006 the pillow book ebook written by sei shonagon. Its opening section, which begins haru wa akebono, or spring, dawn, is arguably the single most famous passage in japanese literature.
Sei shonagons pillow book, written by a court gentlewoman in 10th century japan, is thoroughly enjoyable. His pillow book is certainly excruciating reading for anyone who isnt a contemporary japanese girl, and reduces seis subtleties of perception and expression to tedious cliche, but it does capture the delight, and the vividness of voice and personality, that are the essential experience of reading the pillow book. In her pillow book, she gives an account of the things she saw and her feelings. I wish this had been more clearly indicated in the product description. The pillow book study guide from litcharts the creators of. Ive been hearing a lot about the pillow book lately, emily, but these choice excerpts really seal the deal.
Thats the overall impression i got from this bookit reads very much like a modern livejournal or blog, being a collection of random observations on whatever shonagon found interesting, lists of things she likes or. Buy the pillow book of sei shonagon by sei shonagon online at alibris. Sei shonagons pillow book is definitely work that bears rereading, whether you go from beginning to end or just pick entries at random. Teach your students to analyze literature like litcharts does. Shonagon sei shonagon was born in japan approximately one thousand years ago. The character of sei shonagon in the pillow book from. For example, she details the unnecessary urgency with.
A perfect companion to that work, the pillow book of sei shonagon brings an added dimension to murasakis timeless and seminal novel and further illuminates japanese court life in all its ritualistic glory. I also love their literature but i had not read this famous book the pillow book of sei shonagon translated and edited by ivan morris until recently. Synopses of robert forrests original five radio series synopsis of further radio series by robert forrest. Its still mostly deadon accurate, over a thousand years later, and it always cheers me up when. Literature selection from the pillow book by sei shonagon sei shonagon was a ladyinwaiting to empress sadako during the last decade of the 10th century in japan.
The pillowbook of sei shonagon by sei shonagon, 1929. Since her time the term pillow book has come to mean a collection of thoughts that explore a certain time in a persons life. Fiction and literature literary studies asian studies. The pillowbook of sei shonagon translated by ivan morris. Aug 01, 2009 sei shonagon was born in japan around the year 965 ce and served as a lady in waiting to empress sadako. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Sei shonagon, the author of the pillow book, was born in 966 or 967, the daughter of kiyohara no motosuke.
Unlike the wistful and sometimes tragic mood of the tale of genji, however, the author of the pillow book expressed the feeling of. The pillow book is an extreme example of a work that has lived past its time, and. The work of shonagon consists of a collection of essays, anecdotes, poems, and descriptive passages that have little connection to. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. This one was written by sei shonagon c9661017, a ladyinwaiting to the empress sadako during the last decade of the tenth century. The pillow book is an experiment in the potential of film. Need help on themes in sei shonagons the pillow book. The pillow book of sei shonagon is a fascinating look at japanese court culture during the 11th century heian period 794 to 1186. A precursor of the genre zuihitsu random jottings the more literal meaning to proceed, or follow, with a brush, this literary form made its appearance under the title makura. In any case, you should be aware that if you order this version you are not getting the whole thing.
Buy the pillow book of sei shonagon twentyninth printing by sei shonagon, ivan morris, robin duke isbn. The pillow book makura no soshi is a personalised account of life at the japanese court by sei shonagon which she completed c. The pillow book of sei shonagon asia for educators. As the light creeps over the hills, their outlines are. A new translation of the idiosyncratic diary of a c10 court lady in. A precursor of the genre zuihitsu random jottings the more literal meaning to proceed, or follow, with a brush, this literary form made its appearance under the title makura no soshi, or notes of the pillow, one thousand. The pillow book, makura no soshi is a book of observations and musings recorded by sei shonagon during her time as court lady to empress consort teishi during the 990s and early s in heian japan. Pillow book these poems were written by sei shonagon, a ladyin waiting at the japanese heian dynasty imperial court at the very end of the 10th century and they were the core of directors peter greeenaway film the pillow book. The pillow book of sei shonagon is a fascinating, detailed account of japanese court life in the eleventh century. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the pillow book. In her journal, sei shonagon describes events that happened in her daily life, e. These poems were written by sei shonagon, a ladyin waiting at the japanese heian dynastyimperial court at the very end of the 10th century and they were the core of directors peter greeenaway film the pillow book. Shonagon cannot bear men who believe that women serving in the palace are bound to be frivolous.
The pillow book is the diary of sei shonagon, a courtesan at the imperial court of japan in the late 10th and early 11th century. Not only when the moon shines, but on dark nights too, as the fireflies flit to and fro, and even. When the first volume of the tale of genji appeared in english, the prevailing comment of critics was that the book revealed a subtle and highly developed civilization, the very existence of which had hitherto remained unsuspected. I call it a diary but the pillow book is so much more. Beauty and comfort were central themes of the book and sei shonagon spends time describing clothing, fabrics, festivals, the weather, sounds. Jan 19, 2010 unfortunately, the pillow book is the only remaining text by sei shonagon, and her life after she left court in a. Common life the pillow book is a diary composed by sei shonagon, a young woman who served in the imperial court at kyoto during japans heian period. The women are astounded at the lecherous behavior of men imposing themselves on women. The story behind the pillow book is that when shonagon possible real name.
It rejects convention and asks the viewer to forget traditions and entrenched assumptions. Unfortunately, the pillow book is the only remaining text by sei shonagon, and her life after she left court in a. Sei served her empress during the late heian period a particularly vibrant time for japanese arts and the beginning of japans feudal age and was a contemporary of. The book is full of humorous observations okashi written in the style of a diary, an approach known as zuihitsustyle rambling of which the pillow book was the first and greatest example.