400
Matching terms: Tale of Genji - Miyabi
Courtly Culture of the Interior Space: Detachment from the outside world is cultivated.
Heian sensibility defined by Miyabi – refinement or discretion in taste in art, speech, comportment, etc. Obsessed with details, with minutiae of life. Very attuned to aesthetic, to what was beautiful.
Lady Murasaki’s Tale of Genji completed around 1000 ce. “First” novel? Literature of the parlor”– of court life, impeccable style and taste.
Romantic exploits of Prince Genji – Adulating palace women whose biggest dream was to be appreciated by the Prince. Heian influence on a distinctly Japanese aesthetic sensibility – refinement of speech, softness of voice, intonation, etc. Look for penmanship. Quality of stationary. Heian version of love at first sight is catching a glimpse of someone’s calligraphy.