THE PILLOW BOOK

4B. HOUSES

Outside: Reconstruction of a shinden mansion and its garden by Mr Mori Osamu (N.B. this reconstruction of Higashi Sanjo Dono is taken from Nihon Emakimono Zenshu., vol xii). 1. Main building 2. Wing 3. Corridor 4. Gate

Inside: Schematic redrawing by Mrs Nanae Momiyama of the section from Makura no Soshi Emaki that illustrated the Shigei Sha’s visit to her sister (section 70). 5. Cushion 12. Brazier 6. Straw mat with floral design 13. Straw mat with white and black design 7. Curtain-dais 14. Sliding-door 8. Curtain of state 15. Blinds 9. Lion 16. Open veranda 10. Beam 17. Tray 11. Screen 18. Garden fence

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THE PILLOW BOOK

Published on Apr 27, 2022

★ HEDONY ★

The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon, b. ca. 967; Morris, Ivan I., ed Topics pillow book, sei shonagan, ivan morris, heian, japan, classics, culture, history, translated, japanese literature Collection opensource Language English The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon, translated and edited by Ivan Morris Sei Shōnagon is among the greatest writers of prose in the long history of Japanese literature; The Pillow Book is an exceedingly rich source of information concerning the halcyon period in which she lived. Yet about her own life we have almost no definite facts. She was born approximately a thousand years ago (965 is a likely date) and served as lady-in-waiting at the Court of the Japanese Empress during the last decade of the tenth century. Her father was a provincial official, but is best known as a poet and a scholar. It is possible, though unlikely, that Shōnagon was briefly married to a government official, by whom she may have had a son.

Articles inside

THE PILLOW BOOK

Articles inside

Further Reading

The Pillow Book

Notes

3. Places

5. Chronology

Appendices 1. The calendar

2. The government

b. Houses

Introduction