Monday, November 26, 2007

The Pillow Book

I began reading "The Pillow Book"
not knowing what to expect.

I immediately was impressed.
This translation by Meredith McKinney gives a nice short background into the Heian period of Japanese history. She also gives us a short history of Sei Shonagon.

I am using the journal my daughter gave me as a place to begin my lists, my insights, my opinions and my anecdotes.
Reading Sei Shonagon has opened my eyes even wider to the natural world.

I also love the descriptions of the clothing.
She talks of silks and brocades.
She tells about the different colored inner layers.
Now that I am in winter clothes I have begun to layer.
I am thinking about bringing color to these layers.
I ordered silk long underwear.