Sei Shōnagon

A man who has nothing in particular to recommend him discusses all sorts of subjects at random as though he knew everything. (p. 44)

— Sei Shōnagon

One is telling a story about old times when someone breaks in with a little detail that he happens to know, implying that one's own version is inaccurate — disgusting behavior! (p. 46)

— Sei Shōnagon

Splendid ThingsChinese brocade. A sword with a decorated scabbard. The grain of the wood in a Buddhist statue. Long flowering branches of beautifully coloured wistaria entwined about a pine tree. (p. 109)

— Sei Shōnagon

Things That Lose by Being PaintedPines. Autumn fields. Mountain villages and paths. Cranes and deer. A very cold winter scene; an unspeakably hot summer scene. (p. 138)

— Sei Shōnagon