The pillow book of sei shonagon by ivan morris 9780231073370. This 54page guide for the pillow book by sei shonagon includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 297 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. 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. Sei shonagons pillow book makura no soshi is the private journal of a ladyin waiting to the empress of japan written during the 990s. In her journal, sei shonagon describes events that happened in her daily life, e. Pdf after all theorising, architects still have to choose form. The pillow book of sei shonagon is a fascinating look at japanese court culture during the 11th century heian period 794 to 1186. In the tenth century, japan stood physically and culturally isolated from the rest of the world. Sei shonagon, a lady in waiting to empress teishi or sadako, left a journal of anecdotes, impressions, and. The pillow book contains her reflections on royal and religious ceremonies, nature, pilgrimage, conversation, and poetry. 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. The story behind the pillow book is that when shonagon possible real name. This the pillow book by sei shonagon lesson plan is suitable for 11th 12th grade.
The pillow book best translationedition showing of 3. 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 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. As with the tale of genji, there are currently three important english versions of the pillow book. Sei shonagons pillow book is definitely work that bears rereading, whether you go from beginning to end or just pick entries at random. The work, which is regarded as being of the greatest importance in japanese literature, is almost unknown in the west. The pillow book makura no soshi is a personalised account of life at the japanese court by sei shonagon which she completed c. In 1928 arthur waley published a slender volume that mixes in his own commentary with a translation of about a quarter of the original text. The language is beautiful and haunting sei shonagons writings were both wholly alien and disturbingly familiar.
The complex reception history of the pillow book, in which the text was recreated. Of course, few books in world literature are on a par with sei shonagons inadvertent masterpiece. Her name her birthdeath date her relationships husbandchildren her life after the court what we know about sei shonagon. In fact, although i didnt choose to do this, you could take a hint from the books. Heian literature and japanese court women east asian studies center, the ohio state university. The pillow book of sei shonagon by ivan morris pdf, ebook. The pillow book of sei shonagon translated by ivan morris figure 1 sei shonagon viewing the snow, utagawa yoshitora, from the series calligraphy and pictures for the fiftythree stations of the tokaido, woodblock print, ink and color on paper, 1872.
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. 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. Sei shonagon, the author of the pillow book, was born in 966 or 967, the daughter of kiyohara no motosuke. First drafted in the year 996, the pillow book contains reflections of those met by a ladyinwaiting in the japanese court. The pillow book is a genre which accommodates the full range of the writing spectrum, from idle jotting to highly disciplined poetic composition. The pillow book of sei shonagon is a fascinating, detailed account of japanese court life in the eleventh century. Shonagon, sei the pillow book of sei shonagonpdf free ebook download as pdf file. Sei shonagons pillow book makura no soshi is the private journal of a ladyinwaiting to the empress of japan written during the 990s. Pillow book by sei shonagon, first edition abebooks. The pillow book of sei shonagon is a fascinating, detailed account of japanese court life in the eleventh century 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 lady shonagon was an erstwhile rival of lady murasaki, whose novel, the tale of genji, fictionalized the the pillow book of sei. She was a gentlewoman in the imperial court known for her wit and clever poetry.
The pillowbook of sei shonagon by sei shonagon, 1929. The pillow book of sei shonagon is an immensely detailed account of court life in eleventhcentury japan. Hateful things by sei shonagon hateful things is an excerpt from sei shonagons pillow book. Not only when the moon shines, but on dark nights too, as the fireflies flit to and fro, and even. The film is a melding of dark modern drama with idealised chinese and japanese cultural themes and settings, and centres on body painting. 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. Buy the pillow book of sei shonagon twentyninth printing by sei shonagon, ivan morris, robin duke isbn. It is the character of the writers manner of perceiving, the stamp of the personality, and the idiosyncrasy established. Every now and then she provides a list of things, which are like. It was a really good one, complete with notes and everything. A fat person with a great amount of hair looks hot someone whos. Buy the pillow book of sei shonagon by sei shonagon online at alibris. Sei shonagons pillow book, written by a court gentlewoman in 10th century japan, is thoroughly enjoyable.
Sei shonagon was born approximately a thousand years ago 965 is a likely date and served as ladyinwaiting at the court of the japanese empress during. Women essential questions the author what we dont know about sei shonagon. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Sei shonagon was a contemporary and erstwhile rival of lady murasaki, whose novel, the tale of genji, fictionalized the court life that lady shonagon captures so vividly in her diary. Shonagon has a genius eye for detail, and her tone is. Sei shonagon, another female writer and author of the pillow book was a collection of lists, observations, and rules of proper behavior. A brief summary, historical context, and discussion questions are provided on the first two pages. The pillowbook of sei shonagon translated by ivan morris. Hateful things the following is an excerpt from the pillow book, a japanese classic.
Heian court culture the pillow book of sei shonagon. The pillow book of sei shonagon is one of the earliest examples of diary literature whose passages chronicle the events of the court calendar, the ceremonies and celebrations specific to teishis court, and the vignettes that provide brilliantly drawn glimpses into the manners and foibles of the aristocracy. The pillow book is a compendium of seis thoughts on various subjects, in the form of. The pillow book of sei shonagon, an informal diary of the reminiscences of a ladyinwaiting at the court of a heian empress. The pillow book of sei shonagon by sei shonagon alibris. 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.
To include a comma in your tag, surround the tag with double quotes. Our vimeo inspired by the ancient japanese journal of sei shonagon, lady in waiting to empress teishi sadako, pillow. I call it a diary but the pillow book is so much more. Shonagon, sei the pillow book of sei shonagon pdf free ebook download as pdf file. The diary of a courtesan in tenth century japan ebook. 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.
Sei shonagon was born in japan around the year 965 ce and served as a lady in waiting to empress sadako. As the light creeps over the hills, their outlines are dyed a faint red and wisps of purplish cloud trail over them. 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. The pillow book is a masterpiece that i thoroughly enjoyed when i read it many years ago, and this brief taste provided by lopate reminded me that i really should go back for a thorough reread. Written at the height of heian culture, it is a classic text of great literary beauty, full of lively anecdotes, humorous observations, and subtle impressions. 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. A pillow book is a sort of diary filled with the days observations.
This lesson is intended to use literature of its time to help students understand heian court culture. The pillow book of sei shonagon a journal of sorts really is a collection of thoughts, impressions, lists and daily events of her life as a courtesan in the imperial palace. Its still mostly deadon accurate, over a thousand years later, and it always cheers me up when. As you read shonagons writings, you need to think about what was important to the people of the imperial court. This one was written by sei shonagon c9661017, a ladyinwaiting to the empress sadako during the last decade of the tenth century. Take a firsthand journey into a time, society and world full of intrigue. The pillow book by sei shonagon lesson plan for 11th. Unfortunately, the pillow book is the only remaining text by sei shonagon, and her life after she left court in a. 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. 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. One of the great classics of japanese literature, the pillow book of sei shonagon is by far our most detailed source of factual material on life in eleventhcentury japan at the height of heian culture. Pdf download the pillow book of sei shonagon by sei.
Pdf the pillow book of sei shonagon download full pdf. Shonagon sei shonagon was born in japan approximately one thousand years ago. The pillow book of sei shonagon classics by sei shonagon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. In her pillow book, she gives an account of the things she saw and her feelings. The only extant illustrated renditions of sei shonagons work produced before the eighteenth century are the pillow book illustrated scroll makura no soshi.
The pillow book of sei shonagon columbia university press. Poetry was a big deal then you would be justified in severing all contact with a lover if he sent you poor poetry. Its the kind of book best read in small bits and pieces, kind of like a diary, although it isnt one, exactly. Shonagon, sei the pillow book of sei shonagonpdf japanese. Sei shonagona young courtesan of the heian periodkept a diary, which provides a highly personal account of the intrigues, dalliances, quirks, and habits of japans late tenthcentury elite. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The work of shonagon consists of a collection of essays, anecdotes, poems, and descriptive passages that have little connection to one. Inspired by the ancient japanese journal of sei shonagon, lady in waiting to empress teishi sadako, pillow book gallery is the chronicle of life and love. She wrote her pillow book, or collection of personal reflections, dur ing her years of service as ladyinwaiting to the empress sadako. Through his elegant and readable abridged translation, arthur waley perfectly conveys sei shonagons girlish temperament and quirky.
1245 1043 1421 743 1230 1286 876 1007 186 257 559 922 1002 60 138 1318 1411 1027 781 81 901 427 927 934 334 1482 1212 998 1017 389 1253 145 183 483 1435 1242 376 248 160 523 64 708