One question that I had while reflecting on "Adorable Things" ...most of the literature of women from the Heian period is written from a position of privilege, how much would the women of this time know about other social stations? Would they see people in poverty or rural farm workers? Professor Miyake asked us to reflect on whether the writer is critical of her position but if women were in a guarded sort of position how would they know? I suppose like other women in history who have been frustrated with their gendered position some of these women could be. When my students ask me what time period I’d travel to, I always ask if I still have to be woman. As a modern woman who enjoys such freedoms and pants, I would not do well in historical time periods. I’m too smart and too loud to do well in any other time period, especially in Japan (way too loud).

Comparing the poetry from the two time periods. I feel like there is more drama and darkness with the Fujiwara poem compared to the Heian period, like the ‘chill to the heart”. It seems like a stark contrast with the warrior culture which obviously sees more fighting and death so it fit while the Heian period seems a little more frivolous. I do enjoy the descriptive nature of Japanese literature in any time period really. It’s very show-not-tell and subtle with its meanings. I did a workshop several summers ago on Rashōmon that plus I’m pretty partial to some of the ghost stories from the Edo era.

Is it because of Shinto traditions that most of the poetry centers around nature? There seems to always be some element about nature even if it isn’t the focus of the poem.

japanese literature is somehow far from my learning understanding. I know some folk stories from Japanese Cartoons.

I'm also curious about Shinto traditions.