Pillow Book

A pillow book is a type of intimate journal or collection of observations and musings, often including erotic content, that originated in Japanese court culture during the Heian period (794-1185 CE). The term "pillow book" comes from the Japanese word "makura no sōshi," which literally means "pillow notebook." These books were often kept by court ladies and contained a mix of personal reflections, poetry, lists, and sometimes explicit sexual descriptions or advice.

Additional Information

The most famous example of a pillow book is "The Pillow Book" by Sei Shōnagon, a court lady who served Empress Teishi around the year 1000 CE. While Sei Shōnagon's work is not primarily erotic, it does contain some sensual passages and observations on love and relationships. Over time, the term "pillow book" has come to be associated more broadly with erotic literature, particularly in East Asian contexts.

In modern usage, "pillow book" can refer to any book of an intimate or erotic nature, often with a poetic or artistic quality. These works can range from personal diaries with sexual content to more structured erotic literature or sex guides.