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Sections 88–95
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 moonlit night at the Empress Teishi’s quarters, everyone is listening to one of the ladies playing the biwa under a nearly full moon. Sei is silent while the other ladies chatter. When the Empress asks Sei why she’s so quiet, Sei replies that she’s “immersing [herself] in the spirit of the moonlight.” The Empress deems this remark “beautifully put.”
Sei’s statement might be referring to Bo Juyi’s “Song of the Pipa,” which mentions listeners “left silent, simply gazing / into the river and the whiteness of the autumn moon.” Again, it’s clear that Sei’s observations and experiences are influenced by Japanese poetic tradition.
Themes
One day, Empress Teishi passes Sei a note which asks, “How would it be if you were not loved above others?” Sei had earlier declared that she’d rather be loathed than to be other than first in someone’s heart. Other ladies had jokingly called her “Lady Lotus Sutra” for this remark. So Sei writes back, “Of the nine paths to Paradise, I would happily take even the lowest.”
The Lotus Sutra, an influential Buddhist text, includes the claim that there is only “one vehicle of the Law”—hence the other ladies’ joke about Sei’s all-or-nothing attitude. Sei’s reply also refers to Buddhist doctrine, which divides Paradise into nine ranks. Sei cleverly backtracks on her earlier statement by claiming, with appropriate flattery, that she would accept the lowest rank in Her Majesty’s heart, as long as she is loved by her.
Themes
When Empress Teishi’s younger sister, the Shigeisa (Genshi), comes to court, there is a great celebration. There’s a flurry of preparation, and all the ladies are quite excited. While Sei is fixing the Empress’s hair the morning after the Shigeisa’s arrival, the Empress encourages Sei to peek at her sister from behind the screen, because she’s lovely to look at. When Sei gets the much-awaited opportunity, she is delighted by the young woman’s rich gowns and the way she sits shielding her face with her fan—she resembles a “glorious picture,” in contrast to Her Majesty’s relaxed demeanor. Sei delights in the scene as little girls carry in water for the ceremonial hand-washings—a sight she considers “delightfully Chinese in its effect.”
Genshi has become the consort of the Crown Prince, making this the first official visit between her and her empress sister. The hand-washing would have been part of the women’s usual morning ablutions (washing up for the day). Sei is thrilled by the potential for beauty and delight promised by the Shigeisa’s visit. Calling the hand-washing scene “delightfully Chinese” refers to the strong Chinese influence in Heian Japanese culture.
Themes
Now it’s time for the morning meal, and as Lady Chamberlains enter with food, the screen is moved away, prompting Sei to move between a blind and curtain so she can continue to watch unobserved. However, her sleeves and train are trailing visibly, and the Regent asks who it might be. He then jests that it’s embarrassing to know that Sei is peeping at his “terrible daughters.” The Regent continues joking with his daughters and playing with a grandson throughout the day. At one point during the day’s proceedings, he mentions that the Empress might try to pass the Shigeisa’s son off as her own occasionally—an uncomfortable remark.
The otherwise jovial Regent’s remark to his daughter is awkward because it’s a reminder to everyone that the Empress hasn’t yet produced a son—something that would be seen as a primary duty for her.
Themes
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His Majesty the Emperor arrives, and he and the Empress withdraw for much of the day while his courtiers are supplied with enough saké to get them drunk. After His Majesty emerges, his new robes are so beautiful that “awe halts [Sei’s] hand.” Later that evening, when messages summon both the Empress’s and the Shigeisa’s presences at the Emperor’s and Crown Prince’s residences, there’s another flurry of preparations and a discussion over who should depart first.
The presence of a second imperial daughter in court creates awkward situations, like figuring out who will take precedence when leaving the residence. Sei finds special delight in memories of the imperial family’s doings, perhaps treasuring these because of the family’s downfall (some of her entries were authored after this occurred).
Themes
