Comments | reading_genji: Some notes on Heian architecture and its effects on everyday life

rushthatspeaks in reading_genji

Some notes on Heian architecture and its effects on everyday life

Dec 08, 2005 18:47

I thought I'd add a couple of notes on architecture and palace layout. Sources and bibliography available on request, but be aware that I essentially majored in this sort of thing and therefore decided not to start reccing Japanese architecture books without anyone asking because I would be totally unable to stop ( Read more... )

ref:society

Comments 24

kate_nepveu December 9 2005, 01:55:42 UTC

(In addition, a gentleman wandering into this sort of circumstance, where the lady expresses genuine surprise and distress, is supposed to allow himself to be contented with one of the maidservants, but Genji = Skank Too Cool To Sleep With The Help.)

Ah, this makes sense, especially given what you say about the difficulty of making sure the rooms really are sealed off.

This was all very useful indeed--thank you so much!

tekalynn December 9 2005, 03:39:06 UTC

Though it sounds like the poor maidservant is SOL if she's not interested either.

rushthatspeaks December 9 2005, 04:38:34 UTC

Oh yeah. Although since there were usually a bunch of maidservants per high-ranked lady, they could probably have something worked out... 'Okay, you're happily married, you're twelve, you're in love with the Minister of the Left's fourth cousin twice removed... I'll do it for the next, hm, three weeks and then it is totally somebody else's turn especially if I get pregnant, 'kay? Oh, and if that *skank* turns up, we'll all throw ourselves at him bodily to keep him from the Mistress, got it?' Um. Not really in those words. I hope.

telophase December 9 2005, 05:50:07 UTC

Um. Not really in those words. I hope.

Oh, lord no.

When the chill of winter arrives
frost preserves the beauty of the flower

XD

Thread 6

oyceter December 9 2005, 02:25:59 UTC

Oh that's so neat! Thanks!

boxmint December 9 2005, 21:54:12 UTC

Thanks, that was really excellent. Do get into garden teahouses later, if you have time.

dijeron December 19 2005, 21:59:35 UTC

Careful on teahouses--the tea ceremony as we know it doesn't kick in until Sen Rikyu in the Momoyama Period (16th century).

Just curious, but what are your sources?

tharain December 29 2005, 05:20:36 UTC

Thank you. This was very helpful.

Genji = Skank Too Cool To Sleep With The Help

AND amusing.