Gender issues in the Pillow Book and the Essays in Idleness

Essay from the year 2008 in the subject Sociology - Relationships and Family, grade: 1,0, Muhlenberg College, course: Introduction to Traditional Japan, language: English, abstract: The Pillow Book (PB) by Sei Shonagon and the Essays in Idleness (EI) by Yoshida Kenko are both considered classic Japanese literature. Both books deal with the court life during their time period. While Sei Shonagon expresses a feminine view and Kenko a masculine opinion, a comparison between the Pillow Book and the Essays in Idleness can be made by bringing their thoughts towards the other sex in contrast to each other. Furthermore, a change in gender roles can be observed. The essay will lay open the reciprocal critics, but also show how deeply both authors fall for the other sex.