On February 6, the Department of Asian Studies at University of British Columbia had the pleasure of co-presenting The Pillow Book Reimagined: Generations in Conversation, in collaboration with Dr. Keiko Honda and the Vancouver Arts Colloquium Society (VACS). The evening brought together scholars, students, alumni, and community members for a vibrant exploration of Sei Shōnagon’s The Pillow Book not only as a classical text, but as a living practice of attention, creativity, and connection.
Through short talks, readings, brief video presentations, a community member-centred panel, and interactive exchanges, the program fostered intergenerational dialogue that bridged academic scholarship and lived experience. Attendees were invited not only to listen, but also to write, reflect, and share their own moments of noticing.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Honda encouraged the audience to engage the work through the lens of okashi—a sensibility of delight and attentive curiosity rooted in the zuihitsu tradition. Framing The Pillow Book as an active practice rather than a distant artifact, she highlighted its social implications: cultivating awareness, nurturing dialogue across generations, and strengthening community connection.
Dr. Sonja Arntzen (University of Toronto), in her talk “The Pillow Book: Open Ends,” offered a close reading of a passage from netaki mono (“Annoying Things”), reflecting on women’s collaborative labour at the Heian court and on the textual variations across manuscript traditions and English translations. She emphasized the text’s open-ended quality—its enduring invitation for readers to participate in its ongoing evolution.
Dr. Sharalyn Orbaugh’s presentation, “When Women Write,” examined why The Pillow Book continues to inspire modern Japanese and non-Japanese adaptations in literature, manga, anime, and film. Exploring what it means for women to write and to share writings from a woman’s perspective, she demonstrated the work’s capacity to foster creative and cross-cultural connections.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Joshua Mostow reflected that literature does not remain quietly on the page; rather, it gathers voices, sparks connection, and becomes something shared and alive. The evening embodied that spirit of collaboration between university and community.
A special feature of the event was the involvement of graduate students from the Department of Asian Studies, along faculty and student volunteers from the Japanese Language Program and the community volunteers from VACS. Their thoughtful facilitation, creative contributions, and warm hospitality helped cultivate an atmosphere that was both intellectually stimulating and welcoming. We extend particular appreciation to Dr. Keiko Honda, and to our three graduate students—Sydney, Valentina, and Wren— for their leadership and dedication, which were instrumental to the event’s success.
Event Co-facilitators, Dr. Keiko Honda from VACS & Sydney Olney from UBC
Panelists
Invited Speaker Professor Sonja Arntzen
Invited Speaker Professor Sharalyn Orbaugh
Reflective Writing Session
Sharing
Closing Remarks by Professor Joshua Mostow
Event Organizers, speakers, and volunteers
The Organizing Team: Dr. Keiko Honda from VACS, Dr. Rebecca Chau, Sydney, Valentina, Wren from UBC
More than a celebration of a classical text, The Pillow Book Reimagined reminded us attentive noticing, so central to Sei Shōnagon’s work—continues to create unexpected connections. In sharing moments of awareness across generations, the text once again became what it has always been: something open, participatory and quietly luminous.
