I am currently reading “The Pillow Book” by Sei Shounagon, after accidently stumbled on an intriguing film of the same name.
Shounagon-san was a court lady to Empress Sadako during the Heian period of Japan. Her pillow book (枕草子), completed in 1002, includes her lists, opinions, observations, poetry, and reflections. It was translated into English in 1967 by Ivan Morris and in 2006 by Meredith McKinney.
see also Aidan Chamber, “This is All, the Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn”
I love lists. Here are some of Shounagon-san’s:
Things About Which One is Liable to be Negligent
Things That Arouse a Fond Memory of the Past
Things That Especially Attract One’s Attention on Some Occasions
Things That Give a Clean Feeling
Things That Give an Unclean Feeling
