She describes those behaviours has hateful, since she can be affected negatively by them as well and could lose her reputation. A similar situation she dislikes, as revealing an unnecessary attitude of a man, is when a lover can’t find his accessories, like a fan or paper in the dark before leaving, and makes loud noise (PB, 49). Also, she critics the effort of a man by dressing properly in every detail when leaving her in the middle of the night since she believes nobody will see or recognize him during this late hour anyway, which makes his action dainty to her (PB, 49).
Also, as “Most hateful!” (PB, 45) she describes the vain behaviour of a secret lover, who doesn’t want to be seen by anyone but doesn’t leave without his big hat on, and than makes noise by banging the large hat into something (PB, 45). She lays open that she dislikes snoring men when the couple already spent the night in “an unsuitable place” (PB, 45), aware that they could get caught. Therefore, Sei Shonagon finds it unpleasant if the lover’s attendants don’t know how to behave properly and spoil the romantic moment by chatting loudly, which is heard through the screens (PB, 82) she gives the advice that “ a man should take along only those attendants whose character is known to him” (PB, 82). Written in the 10th century, the Pillow Book provides an insight to the female attitude toward male mainly in their roles as lovers. The following essay will lay open the reciprocal critics, but also show how deeply both authors fall for the other sex. On the contrary, Kenko roughly attacks women in general. Even though, Sei Shonagon has the standing in today’s review to be a “man hater”, she expresses her dislike toward certain behaviour across gender and age borders and just addresses male behaviour sharply when her own status is affected. Furthermore, a change in gender roles can be observed. While Sei Shonagon expresses a feminine view and Kenko a masculine opinion, a comparison between the Pillow Book and the Essays in Idleness can be made by bringing their thoughts towards the other sex in contrast to each other. Both books deal with the court life during their time period, describe events taken place at the Imperial Court, express opinions of nobles, and illustrate the authors own personal judgements. Written in the Kamakura Period in the13th century, and therefore three centuries after the Pillow Book the Essays in Idleness even have a reference to Sei Shonagon’s literacy work (EI, 3). The Pillow Book (PB) by Sei Shonagon and the Essays in Idleness (EI) by Yoshida Kenko are both considered classic Japanese literature.
Gender issues in the Pillow Book and the Essays in Idleness
0 kommentar(er)
