561. The Golden Age of Japan: Secrets of the Imperial Court (Part 2)

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The hosts discuss this extensively as one of the most remarkable and original masterpieces of Japanese literature, written in the early 11th century. They read passages from it and describe it as a compilation of diary entries, lists, anecdotes, and observations about court life, translated by Meredith McKinney in the Penguin Classics edition.

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Discussed as the great Japanese classic written around the same time as The Pillow Book, with extensive passages read aloud including the famous episode of the Hitachi Princess's nose and Genji's poems. The hosts note its author knew and disliked Sei Shōnagon.

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Referenced for the point that the Western concept of fashion does not map onto Japan in the Heian period, as clothing choices were central to personality and perception rather than an optional hobby.

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Quoted for his description of the emperor's role: 'the pole star does not do anything. It simply sits. And by virtue of what it is, everything else rotates around it.'