Category Archives: romance
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
An Ideal Heian Gentleman, Part II
The Heian world had strict codes of behavior everyone kept to, and this was true of romantic entanglements as well. The result of this was that there was no sitting around each day by the door waiting for the messenger’s … Continue reading
Call off an Engagement Due to Poor Penmanship
In Heian Japan, it happened all the time. One might decide to marry a woman, and eagerly anticipate a love poem from her in reply only to see….her wretched calligraphy. The wedding was off! The next time a doctor writes … Continue reading
Filed under calligraphy, romance
