We are reading The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon this week, which is one of my all-time favorite works. It’s a collection of lists and observations written by a court lady in 11th Century Japan, and it is awesome. The lists of things are brilliant. Her list of “Elegant Things,” for example, includes:
A white coat worn over a violet waistcoat.
Duck Eggs.
Shaved Ice mixed with liana syrup and put in a new silver bowl.
A rosary of rock crystal.
Snow on wistaria or plum blossoms.
A pretty child eating strawberries.
I am going to do a series of Pillow-Book-inspired lists over the next little while, which should be ever so much fun. Feel free to add your own items!
Elegant things:
1) A swift kick in the ass
2) A stiff drink
3) A slap in the face, or a slug from a .45
4) A ratcheting screwdriver. Seriously. It will change your life.
What if we’ve never read the book?
HA — Great list! I will hold off on the screwdriver for now. Just got some electric drill/screwdriver thing, and if I have any thumbs left after I master it, I’ll move on to other faintsy tools.
J — No worries, throw in anyway! (And read the book if you get a chance; it’s so good!)