Question 1: During the Heian period (), various court women, such as Lady Ise, Lady Murasaki, and Sei Shonagon, became famous for their literary works. How do you account for this flowering of literature by women? Was there a similar outpouring of literature by women in other Asian cultures at the time?
Question 2: Read The Pillow Book (Makura no Soshi) by Sei Shonagon. Create your own Pillow Book based on various topics discussed by Shonagon, for example Hateful Things, Embarrassing Things, Things That Cannot Be Compared, Rare Things, Splendid Things, Annoying Things, Adorable Things, and Squalid Things. Maintain the style and tone used by Shonagon.
Question 3: In Japanese art, nature is often used in a symbolic and metaphorical role to convey emotion. Examine three paintings executed around the same time but from different Asian cultures that employ natural elements to express emotion. Discuss how the portrayal of nature in these paintings heightens the emotional atmosphere of the scene.