Lady Nijo’s memoir was written during the Kamakura period(14th century), Japan and resurrected in 1947. Painstakingly translated, it unveiled unique insight into the lives of aristocrats of that era.
on the role of women in this era…
In Lady Nijo’s eyes, court life had hints of vanity through her thorough descriptions of dress, art, and culture. In many of the celebrations and events of court life, the author makes note of the subtleties of what others were wearing, what forms of etiquette were performed, and offers insight into ideas that were left unsaid.
More apparent is that, even if women’s roles were constrained in this era, many court aristocrats were still educated in music, poetry, calligraphy, and the intricacies of cultural norms. Lady Nijo asserts agency (and a little bit of rebelliousness) through her choices in partners, affairs, and eventually her journey out of court life and into religious service.
on the author’s emotional vulnerability..
What I appreciated most was being able to see into the writer’s emotional horizons. Throughout the book, there is an expression of joy and grief, and illustrative of these are the descriptions of the setting of the events taking place. Spring is for new beginnings, rain connotes grief, and vivid descriptions of scenes in transition.
I recall how these affected my own emotions given how the writing style translated many poetic descriptions. Hers was a brief but courageous life - one that had the complexities of numerous affairs, the adventures of her solo travels (a feat given the period and modes of transportation!), and the grief of loved ones lost. What a life! I would be curious to hear what she might think had she glimpsed modern life. Would she be amazed at the access we, as women, have today? Would she revel in our freedoms, despite their continued challenges?
the most poignant quote of the book, in my opinion
The memoir concludes with “I have been writing this useless account - though I doubt it will long survive me”. This quote may have encompassed that which was fleeting in her story, from her perspective, but also how it had transcended much long after, for ours. I felt connected to the long past, though we have little in common at the surface. Human emotion, relationships, and the impermanence of life are concepts universally felt.