Category Archives: Michinaga
Rebuff Unwanted Advances Delicately
As we’ve previously seen, Heian-era aristocrats used poetry to communicate in most areas of life. One major advantage of poetic communication is that one could be indirect and discreet while still conveying a strong message. Murasaki Shikibu, author of “The … Continue reading
Filed under Michinaga, Murasaki Shikibu, poetry, romance
Demand Poems from All Your Friends
In one of the many anecdotes that characterizes Sei Shonagon’s The Pillow Book, Sei, a lady in waiting to the Empress Sadako, (who is the wife of Emperor Ichijo and a niece of Michinaga) goes with the other ladies in … Continue reading
Filed under Michinaga, Pillow Book, poetry, Sadako
An Ideal Heian Gentlemen, Part I
It is sometimes said that “sensitive men” are fashionable in these days in Western society. However, we Westerners are far behind the times, as ridiculously sensitive men were all the rage 1,000 years ago in Heian – era Japan. Men … Continue reading
Filed under gentle weeping, gentlemen, Michinaga
