Nikki ( 日記 ) Nikki is a diary or journal A distinction between the two could be applicable is that: A diary keeps a chronological record of personal events A journal is an examination of a life and events in it

Nikki ( 日記 ) Nikki is the term used to describe the section of The Pillow Book that relate events in Sei Shōnagon’s life These are better understood as journals rather than diaries Some of the most famous nikki Tosa nikki (The Tosa Diary): Ki no Tsurayuki, ca. 935, records a trip of a woman from Tosa (on Shikoku) to the capital

Nikki ( 日記 ) Some of the most famous nikki Kagerō nikki (The Gossamer Journal): The Mother of Fujiwara no Michitsuna, relates the events of her life and her declining marriage to Fujiwara no Kaneie between 954 & 974 Murasaki Shikubu nikki (The Murasaki Shikibu Diary): records events in her life between 1008 and 1010 Sarashina nikki (The Sarashina Journal)

What things does the author records? Her journey from the Eastern Provinces to Heian-kyō Her love and reading of monogatari Deaths of people (and creatures) close to her Her father’s departure for his provincial post Her service at court Her pilgrimages to Buddhist temples Her dreams

What things does Sarashina make apparent that other works don’t? What things does Sarashina make apparent that other works don’t? Life outside of the court and the capital The difficulty of travel Epidemics The classes of ladies-in-waiting The change in religious attitudes and beliefs

What things about the journey does the author records? Places they start from and stop at Origin stories of place names Descriptions of landscape Poetry composed along the journey Encounters with people along the journeys

What religious elements appear in the work? The Healing Buddha (Yakushi Nyōrai) Amaterasu Karma/Past Life Merit Pilgrimages Amida Buddha

Yakushi Nyōrai Known as The Healing Buddha Master of the Eastern Pure Land Grants relief from illnesses Introduced to Japan in the 6th century

Yakushi Nyōrai Worship of Yakushi begins in the 7th century 8th century sees him elevated to protector of the realm Popular among the aristocracy and commoners in Heian

Amida Nyōrai Master of the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss Known to Japanese in the 7th century Becomes more popular in the late 10th century with Priest Genshin’s Essentials for Rebirth in the Pure Land

Amida Nyōrai Will escort people to the Pure Land upon death if they utter the nembutsu Namu Amida Butsu or Praise be to Amida Buddha Often depicted as appearing on a purple cloud right before people die

Yakushi and Amida Buddha represent a shift in Buddhism we talked about earlier Jiriki vs Tariki

Jiriki ( 自力 ) vs Tariki ( 他力 ) Jiriki ( 自力 ) vs Tariki ( 他力 ) Jiriki is: The idea that the individual has the power to gain enlightenment Associated with the Six Nara Schools of Buddhism along with Tendai and Shingon Buddhism Tariki is: The idea that do not have the power to gain enlightenment People have to invoke buddhas like Yakushi and Amida to gain enlightenment

Why does the author invoke Yakushi and Amida Buddha? Why does the author invoke Yakushi and Amida Buddha? To fulfill her wish to read monogatari To correct the mistakes made in this life Upon realizing the futility of human pursuits Upon realizing the fate of her current To prepare her for the next life