The Pillow Book

Shonagon receives a series of messages, in these chapters, asking her to write or add to poems. When she must add to a beginning sent by Consultant Kinto, she struggles, knowing that those who would hear her words “were all poets fit to shame” her (114). Without the Empress to consult, she writes, knowing that “it would make a bad poem even worse to take too long in sending it” (114). In response, though, another man suggests that she “should be promoted to High Gentlewoman” (114).

In Chapter 103, Shonagon speaks of Masahiro, who “is a great laughing-stock” (114). He is much gossiped over, partly because “he can say the most peculiar things” (115). His at-times transgressive behavior lead others to laugh “uproariously,” even though he breaks with or upsets traditions (116).

Shonagon lists “things that are distressing to see,” one of which is a “swarthy, slovenly-looking woman” lying “in broad daylight” with a man (117). She asks, “[W]hat kind of a picture do they think they make, lounging there for all to see?” (117). She wishes that less attractive, less well-positioned people would take more care for their appearances.

In Chapter 106, Shonagon lists barrier gates. Sometimes she adds commentary on the barriers.