The Pillow Book

In the eighth month, Shonagon writes, she goes on pilgrimage to a place called Uzumasa. The next month, she travels to Hase. She stays in simple lodgings and attends to moonlight; when the moonlight casts its light on sleeping shadows “is precisely the sort of moment when people compose poems” (192).

The next few chapters focus on scents: that of burning firewood while hiking to a temple, the sweet flag that blooms through summer, autumn, and winter, and the incense scent that a robe can hold.

In Chapters 216 and 217, Shonagon lists “things that should be big” and small (192). Houses should be big, containing the many features she lists in Chapter 218, including “an elbow-shaped corridor” and “low standing curtains” (193). 

Shonagon is irritated, she explains, by the sight of “some poorly-decked-out person, off on an excursion in a miserable carriage” (193). Though she can only imagine “how on earth this woman must be feeling, at the sight of everyone else in their finery,” her appearance upsets the festival’s mood for Shonagon (194). The ensuing festival scene that she describes is glamorous, but she is aware that not all taking part are equal.

In the next chapter, she tells the story of “a man in the Long Room who had no business being there” (195). The Empress, elegantly, addresses the matter with a poem dismissing the rumor. When she receives multiple gifts of “festive herbal balls,” she also responds with an elegant poem (196). She presents the same offering to an employee who leaves her service. When the Empress sends Shonagon a message to mourn her absence while Shonagon is traveling for a religious retreat, Shonagon honors the Empress with a reply “on a violet lotus petal” because she has “forgotten to bring with [her] any paper that would be suitable for a reply” (197).

In Chapters 225, Shonagon lists posting stations. In the next chapter, she begins to list shrines, but then tells the story of a Chinese “Emperor who cared only for young people, and killed everyone once they turned forty” (198). One Captain, who could not bear to lose his parents, hid them in his home. The Chinese Emperor began to send the Captain a series of difficult questions for which he lacked an answer, like determining the “top” of a stick that appears to be even through and through. The Captain’s father furnished his son with the answers the Emperor was seeking. The Chinese courtiers were impressed by the Captain’s wisdom and the Emperor asked what rank the Captain would like to attain. But the Captain asked merely that his “old parents who have hidden themselves away be discovered and allowed to live in the capital again” (199). The Emperor allowed them and all other parents in hiding to return.

In Chapter 228, Shonagon praises the wet-nurse, who shows “what it must be like to be reborn as a heavenly being” (201). She sleeps with the Empress; “in fact there’s no end to the list of special privileges she enjoys” (201). In the Chamberlain’s office, it can be equally wonderful to become a Chamberlain. The quick rise to that position, in which one goes “about in the company of the young nobles,” leads a person to fill onlookers “with admiration” (201).

Young nobles traveling through thick snow in colorful cloaks provide a beautiful sight. Shonagon goes to great lengths to describe their outfits as they contrast with a pure white background.

Less glorious, but “also charming to witness,” is a courtier emerging from night watch in “his crumpled cloak and gathered trousers” (202). He will use his cap to hide his face as he departs.

In Chapters 231 and 232, Shonagon lists hills and then “things that fall,” (202). Snow seems to captivate her the most, whether admired “on a cypress bark roof” or “when just a little has fallen” (203). Certain precipitation looks better on certain kinds of roofs.

Chapters 233 and 234 list “kinds of sun” and “kinds of moon” (203). Then, the following chapters list stars, clouds, “things that create a disturbance,” “slovenly-looking things,” and “people of rough speech” (204). 

In Chapter 240, Shonagon lists “people who are smug and cocky,” beginning with “present-day three-year-olds” (204). Female heads of lowly homes, too, tend to fit the description for Shonagon.

Then, Shonagon lists “things that just keep passing by” and “things that no one notices,” like “all the inauspicious days” (205).

Chapter 243 chronicles her distaste with “people who express themselves poorly in writing” (205). The tone of a letter or note should be correct, otherwise its effect can be off. Similarly, misspeaking can cause great embarrassment, especially when poor speech happens in front of the master.

In Chapters 244-246, Shonagon lists “horrid filthy things,” “terrifying things,” and “things that give you confidence” (206). Prayers performed by priests during illnesses, or being “comforted when you’re feeling low, by someone you truly love,” are the two great comforts that she describes for her readers (206).

One chapter tells the story of a man who rises through the ranks, but who mistreats and ignores his wife. This story is evidence, for Shonagon, that “men don’t have much sympathy for others, or understanding of how they’re feeling” (207).

Chapter 248 is a meditation on how difficult it might be to be disliked. No matter one’s rank in society, it would be impossible “to accept calmly the fact that you’re probably the sort of person nobody likes” (207). By contrast, “there’s nothing more wonderful than to be well-loved” (207).

Shonagon’s interest in men’s behavior continues in Chapter 249. It is fascinating “to see a man abandon a truly lovely woman in favour of some unpleasant one” (207). Indeed, men seem to put everything on the line to win over a woman who is “too exalted to be within his reach” (207).