Heian Diary Culture Flashcards
Why were Salons cultural centers?
The emphasis of Kinship relations and the power the women and their families had. This is directly tied with Fujiwara Marriage politics
The rise in Salons corresponds with the decline of what?
The Imperial Academy
What did the salons consist of?
Women, aka those from clans such as the Fujiwara clan, who were a part of the Imperial harem
How do Kana diaries contrast Kanbun diaries?
While Kanbun diaries were chronological dry documentations of daily life, Kana diaries weren’t always chronological and were filled with drama and rumors and the opinions of the wealthy women - essential emotional status
What is Mono no Aware?
It signifies a deep feeling or pathos; it’s how many of the Nikki’s were written
What are some of the reasons behind the decline of the Imperial Academy?
The focus on hereditary over merit, especially around the time of the 11th century, was one of the main reasons
What did the Imperial Academies mainly consist of?
Lower class-nobility kids who were then hired by the Coutiers from the Heian Court
The salons gave bigger popularity to what? and Why?
Waka such as the Kokinshu, and it was considered a “precuserser” or inspiration for their diaries
Were diaries considered fiction?
There is a blurred line, while some might have been factual there is a line between fiction and reality
How is paper related to status?
There was a scarcity of paper valuable so it was a sign of wealth for these Salon members to have so much of
Why were some women recruited to join the salons?
Women would be recruited for their literary gifts and insights. In turn, the newcomers gained connections. They became ladies in waiting for the Empress and Consorts
Define some details of Izumi Shikibu’s Diary
It was about a love affair between Izumi Shikibu and Prince Atsumichi
It was in Third person
it’s from an impossible witness because the author never actually saw the affair take place
it contains an exchange of poetry
Define some details of Kagero Nikki (Gossamer Years)
It goes from third person to first person
it’s about pilgrimages and marriages
It was about love poetry for her son
What was the one book to survive from Teishi’s salon?
The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon
What was the Pillow Book about?
The work focuses on the glory period of 993-994 before Teishi’s expulsion from the court; it had sections for lists, essays, and diaries
