Comments on In Spring it is the Dawn: 'Pillow Book' Friday: Week One

Reading the comparisons makes me happy I've got th...

2010-03-06T09:43:03.388+09:00

Reading the comparisons makes me happy I've got the McKinney version! :)

My first impression of Sei is the same as Claire's. Also, if I were in the court, I'd want to be her friend! :D

I'm so sorry I never got back here to reply in a m...

2010-02-20T19:04:38.409+09:00

I'm so sorry I never got back here to reply in a more timely manner.

To answer my own questions, this is my second time to read 'The Pillow Book' but even when I read it the first time I remember immediately appreciating her wit and charm, and her snobbishness that is so sincere but makes me chuckle.

I pretty much always read the notes in classics if there are any and this time is no different. At least since it's a different translation, I'm not reading the same notes over again.

I'm very much enjoying reading this again and look forward to reading on. I'm also intrigued by the differences between the two translations which is adding an extra point of interest to this re-read for me.

Claire - She really is so witty, and playful, isn't she? I'm thoroughly enjoying her amusing perspective on everything around her.

I've been quite surprised too at just how differently the two translations are worded. It's true that the original Japanese is more like "In Spring, the Dawn" with the "be" verb omitted but somewhat understood. My first exposure was the Morris translation though and since English doesn't really like sentences with no verbs... well, I figure my blog title is still essentially the first line with some creative license. :)

Rebecca - I'm quite fascinated by how the two translations differ. Sometimes I prefer one way of wording, other times, I prefer the other translation so I don't really have a preference yet. I'm really enjoying reading her observations again, it's proving a very fun re-read.

Velvet - I love her attention to detail too! It's thanks to her that we get such a wonderful glimpse into court life in ancient Japan. And stay tuned, she covers quite a few interesting topics as she goes along.

Harvee - Let me know if you do get this book and would like to read along.

I like both versions. The first seems more poetic....

2010-02-11T23:31:54.956+09:00

I like both versions. The first seems more poetic. Morris's version is more modern and probably easier to read. I must try this book!.

I'm glad you picked Pillow Book to do a read-along...

2010-02-06T08:44:17.225+09:00

I'm glad you picked Pillow Book to do a read-along discussion on. It is the type of book with so many little things going on.

Upon first reading Sei's entries I find that I love her attention to details.

I haven't been reading the notes. Just the entries.

I looking forward to what topics will pop up in Sei's writings.

In the excerpts above, I find that the Morris translations flow a bit better. btw: this is the book that I'm reading from.

Reading your comparisons of the two translations, ...

2010-02-05T22:05:46.449+09:00

Reading your comparisons of the two translations, I already prefer the Morris, I think. I may have to go find this version anyway, though, just so I can join along your discussion.

From the beginning, I loved Shonagon's observations. I was just so enamored by how the simplest things were fascinating to her.

What is your first impression of Sei Shōnagon? Sh...

2010-02-05T19:47:04.618+09:00

What is your first impression of Sei Shōnagon?

She's playful, witty and interesting - I love what you say about her writing a blog if she was alive today!

Are you reading the Notes that go along with each section? If so, are you finding them interesting/informative?

I am reading the notes; I picked this up on the back of reading another heavily annotated Classic so I was in the habit already of keeping my bookmark at the back with the notes whilst reading. I am finding it useful to have them to refer to.

Are you looking forward to reading on?

Yes! Very much so; I'm glad we are taking this leisurely as the structure lends itself to dipping in and out of.

Even just reading the short excerpts included below, what do you think of the different translations, in terms of style, and readability?

I am stunned how different they are! From the excerpts given, it doesn't seem as if the meaning is always changed (it is in section 3), it's more a different way of wording and interpreting everything, but I am still surprised how two translations can be so different and now understand why people pay so much attention to the translation that they read. I think the McKinney is more readable and the Morris more flowery.

I remember when I received the McKinney translation from you I read the opening section and wondered why the opening line was different from your blog title! Now I know.