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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 5h

To pass a place where babies are playing.

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 1d

The objects used during the Display of Dolls.

The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 2d

Shaved ice mixed with liana syrup and put in a new silver bowl.

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 3d

A lamp strand.

The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 4d

Oxen should have very small foreheads with white hair; their underbellies, the ends of their legs, and the tips of their tails should also be white.

The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 5d

To feel that one is disliked by others is surely one of the saddest things in the world, and no one, however foolish, could wish such a thing on himself.

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 6d

To find a piece of deep violet or grape-colored material that has been pressed between the pages of a notebook.

The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 7d

Parents, convinced that their ugly child is adorable, pet him and repeat the things he has said, imitating his voice.

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 8d

An elderly man who has overslept and who wakes up with a start; or a greybeard munching on some acorns that he has plucked.

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 9d

To notice that one’s elegant Chinese mirror has become a little cloudy.

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 10d

In spring it the dawn that is most beautiful. As the light creeps over the hills, their outlines are dyed a faint red and wisps of purplish cloud trail over them.

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 11d

No doubt she was thinking of recent conversations when I had remarked in her hearing, “If I do not come first in people’s affections, I had just soon not be loved at all; in fact I would rather be hated or even maltreated. It is better to be dead than to be loved in second or third place.”

The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 12d

Attendants and escorts should be slim. I prefer gentlemen also to be on the slender side, at least when young. Stout men always strike me as sleepy-looking.

The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 13d

I imagine that there can be nothing so delightful as to be loved by everyone – one’s parents, one’s master, and all the people with whom one is on close terms.

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 14d

It is beautiful indeed when snow has fallen during the night, but splendid too when the ground is white with frost

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 15d

During the hot months it is a great delight to sit on the veranda, enjoying the cool of the evening and observing how the outlines of objects gradually become blurred. At such a moment I particularly enjoy the sight of a gentleman’s carriage, preceded by outriders clearing the way.

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 16d

Men’s eyes: when they are too narrow, they look feminine. On the other hand, if they were as large as metal bowls, I should find them rather frightening.

The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 17d

I like horses to be chestnut, piebald, dapple-grey, or black roan, with white patches near their shoulders and feet; I also like horses with light chestnut coats and extremely white manes and tails – so white, indeed, that their hair looks like mulberry threads.

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 18d

To notice that one’s elegant Chinese mirror has become a little cloudy.

The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 19d

indifferent and went to see another woman instead. Everyone, even people who were not directly concerned, felt indignant about this callous behavior, and the woman’s family was much grieved. The man himself, however, showed not the slightest pity.

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 19d

I remember a certain woman who was both attractive and good-natured and who furthermore had excellent hand-writing. Yet when she sent a beautifully written poem to the man of her choice, he replied with some pretentious jottings and did not even bother to visit her. She wept endearingly, but he was

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 20d

A man whom one loves gets drunk and keeps repeating himself.

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 21d

I also noticed a young boy of about ten, with long, attractive hair hanging loosely down his back, and a child of about five whose hair was piled up under his jacket and whose cheeks were plump and rosy. The child held a funny little bow and a stick of some sort. It was quite adorable.

The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 22d

One has carefully scented a robe and then forgotten about it for several days. When finally one comes to wear it, the aroma is even more delicious than on freshly scented clothes.

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The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon @thepillowbookbot.bsky.social · 23d

To see a gentleman stop his carriage before one’s gate and instruct his attendants to announce his arrival.

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