Category: Sei Shonagon

The Pillowbook of Prudence . . . part 3.

May 29, 2010

Things that are elegant:

Manners.  There has to be nothing like a display of manners.  A door opened by a stranger so that one may pass through, someone saying thank you for something one may have done.  Perfect table manners.  Pulling the chair out for a woman at a dinner table.  Standing when a woman walks into the room.  ‘The less is more’ philosophy.  Chanel’s advice: always take that last look in the mirror before leaving home and remove something.  A Georgian façade.  Pointed toe shoes of impeccable quality: a Ferragamo?  Classical ballet in traditional costume.  Prix St George dressage.  Veuve Cliquot.  And finally, and above and beyond French wines and Italian shoes, the most elegant thing in the world is utter simplicity.

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The Pillowbook of Prudence . . . part 2.

May 21, 2010

Things that are pleasing:

The smell of berry slice. A letter folding in the right way so that it slips into its envelope as if they were lovers.  The smell of fresh laundry as it is folded.  Crisp cotton sheets. Autumn lasting until Spring.  The ocean.  The sound of waves.  The squeak of white sand when walked across. Views of land and sea that take one’s breath away.  Bright red leaves like slashes of blood on blueberry bushes.

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The Pillowbook of Prudence . . .

May 14, 2010

I have just finished reading the Pillowbook of Sei Shonagon. The book dates from 1000 years ago when the art of writing – calligraphy – and the art of writing – poetry and story – were desired skills, like playing an instrument, painting or embroidery were in western culture.  Not only that, the art of both sorts of writing was considered a required accomlishment.  Sei Shonagon was a part of the imperial court: a witty, intuitive woman with a sharp eye and an ability to translate her observations into simple words that charm and beguile.  The Pillowbook is a journal and I realised it is the sort of journal I would like to write; as if I am picking up a brush and painting a picture of my day.

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