In the late 10th century, the court lady Sei Shonagon kept a notebook by her pillow to record her witty observations, often in the form of lists. In this series, her Pillow Book, a classic of Japanese literature, is illustrated by New Year themes such as special holiday food. Here, the accompanying poem compares the foods illustrated with the traditional motif of “Snow, Moon, and Flowers.” The round bowl of New Year’s soup is compared to the moon; the rice cakes in the soup to snow; and the bonito fish—which will be shaved so thin as to resemble petals—to the flowers.

---