The Pillow Book, by Sei Shōnagon
@thepillowbookbot.bsky.social
Excerpts from The Pillow Book posted every day. Bot created by @thejasonkelley.com via https://bluebotsdonequick.com/
It is moving to see a thin wisp of cloud across a very bright moon.
December 23, 2025 at 3:15 PM
It is moving to see a thin wisp of cloud across a very bright moon.
A cold, empty brazier.
December 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM
A cold, empty brazier.
While one is cleaning a decorative comb, something catches in the teeth and the comb breaks.
December 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
While one is cleaning a decorative comb, something catches in the teeth and the comb breaks.
One has sewn something in a hurry. The task seems finished, but on pulling out the needle one discovers that one forgot to knot the end of the thread. It is also very annoying to find that one has sewn something back to front.
December 20, 2025 at 3:15 PM
One has sewn something in a hurry. The task seems finished, but on pulling out the needle one discovers that one forgot to knot the end of the thread. It is also very annoying to find that one has sewn something back to front.
A man whom one loves gets drunk and keeps repeating himself.
December 19, 2025 at 3:15 PM
A man whom one loves gets drunk and keeps repeating himself.
To hear one’s servants making merry. This is equally annoying if one is on a journey and staying in cramped quarters or at home and hears the servants in a neighboring room.
December 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
To hear one’s servants making merry. This is equally annoying if one is on a journey and staying in cramped quarters or at home and hears the servants in a neighboring room.
While entertaining some visitors, one hears some servant chatting without any restraint in one of the back rooms. It is embarrassing to know that one’s visitors can overhear them. But how to stop them?
December 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
While entertaining some visitors, one hears some servant chatting without any restraint in one of the back rooms. It is embarrassing to know that one’s visitors can overhear them. But how to stop them?
A woman of the lower classes dressed in a scarlet trouser-skirt. The sight it all too common these days.
December 16, 2025 at 3:15 PM
A woman of the lower classes dressed in a scarlet trouser-skirt. The sight it all too common these days.
While entertaining some visitors, one hears some servant chatting without any restraint in one of the back rooms. It is embarrassing to know that one’s visitors can overhear them. But how to stop them?
December 15, 2025 at 3:15 PM
While entertaining some visitors, one hears some servant chatting without any restraint in one of the back rooms. It is embarrassing to know that one’s visitors can overhear them. But how to stop them?
when there is no snow or frost, but it is simply very cold and the attendants hurry from room to room stirring up the fires and bringing charcoal, how well this fits the season’s mood!
December 14, 2025 at 3:15 PM
when there is no snow or frost, but it is simply very cold and the attendants hurry from room to room stirring up the fires and bringing charcoal, how well this fits the season’s mood!
To feel that one is disliked by others is surely one of the saddest things in the world, and no one, however foolish, could wish such a thing on himself.
December 13, 2025 at 3:15 PM
To feel that one is disliked by others is surely one of the saddest things in the world, and no one, however foolish, could wish such a thing on himself.
One has sent a friend a verse that turned out fairly well. How depressing when there is no reply-poem!
December 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
One has sent a friend a verse that turned out fairly well. How depressing when there is no reply-poem!
While entertaining some visitors, one hears some servant chatting without any restraint in one of the back rooms. It is embarrassing to know that one’s visitors can overhear them. But how to stop them?
December 11, 2025 at 3:15 PM
While entertaining some visitors, one hears some servant chatting without any restraint in one of the back rooms. It is embarrassing to know that one’s visitors can overhear them. But how to stop them?
A red plum-blossom dress in the Third or Fourth Months.
December 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
A red plum-blossom dress in the Third or Fourth Months.
In spring it the dawn that is most beautiful. As the light creeps over the hills, their outlines are dyed a faint red and wisps of purplish cloud trail over them.
December 9, 2025 at 3:15 PM
In spring it the dawn that is most beautiful. As the light creeps over the hills, their outlines are dyed a faint red and wisps of purplish cloud trail over them.
A dog howling in the daytime.
December 8, 2025 at 3:15 PM
A dog howling in the daytime.
Round braziers. Winter cherries. Pine trees. The petals of yellow roses.
December 7, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Round braziers. Winter cherries. Pine trees. The petals of yellow roses.
An elderly man with a black beard and a disagreeable expression playing with a little child who has just learnt to talk.
December 6, 2025 at 3:15 PM
An elderly man with a black beard and a disagreeable expression playing with a little child who has just learnt to talk.
Someone who lives in a bustling, fashionable household receives a message from an elderly person who is behind the times and has very little to do; the poem, of course, is old-fashioned and dull. How depressing!
December 5, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Someone who lives in a bustling, fashionable household receives a message from an elderly person who is behind the times and has very little to do; the poem, of course, is old-fashioned and dull. How depressing!
To find a piece of deep violet or grape-colored material that has been pressed between the pages of a notebook.
December 4, 2025 at 3:15 PM
To find a piece of deep violet or grape-colored material that has been pressed between the pages of a notebook.
While one is cleaning a decorative comb, something catches in the teeth and the comb breaks.
December 3, 2025 at 3:15 PM
While one is cleaning a decorative comb, something catches in the teeth and the comb breaks.
Even in the case of love poems, people should at least answer that they were moved at receiving the message, or something of the sort; otherwise they will cause the keenest disappointment.
December 2, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Even in the case of love poems, people should at least answer that they were moved at receiving the message, or something of the sort; otherwise they will cause the keenest disappointment.
To notice that one’s elegant Chinese mirror has become a little cloudy.
December 1, 2025 at 3:15 PM
To notice that one’s elegant Chinese mirror has become a little cloudy.
A cold, empty brazier.
November 30, 2025 at 3:15 PM
A cold, empty brazier.
To pass a place where babies are playing.
November 29, 2025 at 3:15 PM
To pass a place where babies are playing.