Â A key concept in this work, often translated as (*) "amusing," is okashi, which is used in its opening passage to describe the flight of two fireflies and the sprinkling of rain.
This book repeatedly glorifies the present rather than the past, as evidenced by a scene in which the main character changes a phrase in a poem about a past ruler to refer to the current one. Â One scene in this book sees the main characters bet on how long it will take a mound of snow to melt. Â A key concept in this work, often translated as (*) "amusing," is okashi, which is used in its opening passage to describe the flight of two fireflies and the sprinkling of rain. Â Set during the reign of the Empress Teishi, its author may have written the Matsushima Diary after leaving the imperial court. Â This work is known for its essays, diary passages, and lists, or Dan, which are catalogues of objects based on a common noun or adjective. Â For 10 points, name this work of the Heian period written by Sei Shonagon.
This book repeatedly glorifies the present rather than the past, as evidenced by a scene in which the main character changes a phrase in a poem about a past ruler to refer to the current one.
The Pillow Book [or Makura no Sōshi]