Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Pillow Book, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Court Life vs. Common Life
Poetry and Social Relationships
Aesthetic Beauty, Delight, and Cultural Tradition
Romance and Official Duty
Summary
Analysis
One moonless night, there’s a commotion outside, and when Sei investigates, a bamboo branch is extended through the blind. She says, “So it’s ‘this gentleman,’ is it?” Several chamberlains emerge, saying that they must immediately take this story back to the Privy Chamber. Secretary Controller Yukinari stays behind, explaining that they’d had the idea of composing poems on the subject of the bamboo and decided to invite the ladies to join. He wonders how in the world Sei was able to give such an apt reply on the spot.
Sei’s reference to “this gentleman” comes from a Chinese poem about bamboo, in which a bamboo plant is referred to in that way. Her quickness catches the male courtiers by surprise, and they are clearly impressed by her cleverness and poetic knowledge.
Themes
After a little while, one of the courtiers returns and chants another line from the poem Sei has referenced. He explains that the Privy Chamber and even the Emperor were delighted by Sei’s response. The men chant the poem, and everyone lingers in conversation until dawn. The next day, Empress Teishi is delighted to hear how Sei has been praised.
Sei has gained a reputation even throughout the imperial household for her cleverness with poetry. In this way, it’s clear that poetry isn’t merely an artform for Sei and the other courtiers—it’s a tool with which one can form relationships and improve one’s social standing.
Themes
After the conclusion of the mourning period for Retired Emperor Enyu, everyone stops wearing their mourning clothes. A gentlewoman named Tosanmi receives a formal letter from a priest, containing a poem. The poem contains an implied rebuke of the woman’s adherence to court mourning practices. She is disturbed and wonders who could have sent this. When she speaks to the Emperor about it the following day, she learns that the whole thing has been an elaborate joke involving the Emperor, Empress, and some of the ladies-in-waiting. She is flustered but delighted.
Tosanmi is the Emperor’s nurse, which explains why she’s able to approach the Emperor and his household on such familiar terms. The fact that the Emperor and Empress would play a joke on her further highlights their intimacy and would have been a point of pride for her.
Themes
“Occasions when the time drags by” include abstinence days, visiting the home of someone who’s just failed to get a promotion, and a day of heavy rain. Things that relieve such dragging occasions include board games, tales, chattering children, and snacks.
Abstinence days would have been a particular burden even within the secluded world of the court, since the ladies couldn’t receive any visitors. Although Sei relishes in her upper-class role as a gentlewoman, it seems that even the life of a courtier has its mundane moments.
Themes
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Sei lists a few “worthless things,” including ugly, unpleasant people and clothing starch that’s gone bad. Then she notes that, although most people would agree with these items, she’s still going to include them. After all, she never intended that this book should be seen by others.
Sei’s disgust for ugly people and clothing once again emphasizes the importance she places on appearances—in her estimation, common people and things are unworthy. Meanwhile, Sei’s curious remark suggests that her diary is private and that she’s recorded her thoughts regardless of what anyone else thinks about them. However, the fact that she makes this comment at all suggests that she does, in fact, anticipate judgment from an audience.
Themes
“Truly splendid” things include the two Provisional Festivals and the Rehearsal of Performance. This rehearsal takes place on a glorious spring day, and Sei finds it entertaining to watch men and women, musicians, dancers, and chamberlains, all mixing in the presence of the Emperor. Sei waits “with bated breath” for the dances to begin and nearly “[bursts] with delight” as the opening notes of the music are heard. As the dances get underway, she wishes they’d never stop, and she feels “bereft” as they come to an end.
The Rehearsal of Performance is a chance for the imperial household to enjoy special dances, and Sei finds the experience to be so immersive and beautiful that she is emotionally overwhelmed.
Themes
