Sei Shonagon, from the series Ancient Patterns (Kodai moyo)

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

In this 19th-century triptych, Kobayashi Kiyochika depicted the revered tenth-century poet Sei Shōnagon, author of The Pillow Book, a collection of writings reflecting on her time as a court lady. She is dressed as a 10th-century woman, wearing a wide-brimmed traveler’s hat and veil. Her veil is beautifully rendered, and the artist muted the colors seen through it. The poem by Shōnagon reads: Flee as I might, If I remain within this world I tire of nowhere: Such a lovely place to live. (Translation by Henry D. Smith II)

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