I was left with two extra thoughts about Sei Shonagon’s Pillow Book.
First, I concluded the post by noting that I noticed a trace of disappointment in some parts of the book. This is a hunch from an unqualified observer and nothing more. I suppose I should point to some examples from the book to support my position, no? One thought that caught my eye was her note that few moments are more dispiriting than when someone other than the expected person arrives - to me, I read into that expression a learned familiarity with disappointment.
However, it isn’t perfectly fair to jump to a conclusion about someone’s mental or emotional state just because of his or her writing. Shonagon was a talented writer and observer, a fact confirmed throughout The Pillow Book, and perhaps these moments I read into were merely nothing more than additional demonstrations of her significant ability to relate the truth we all experience beneath our polished, composed, and contented exteriors.
The second leftover thought is brief but significant for how it extends her influence over a millenia into the future. Shonagon wraps up the book by recommending we all learn to write about the things we find impressive, delightful, or moving. It is great advice for anyone, I think, but as with any list of three I find myself in agreement with one item in particular among the group.
