1. The Role of Heian Women
History Alive 8.8

2. The Pillow Book
Lots of what we know about women in the Heian period comes from this book
It was written by Sei Shonagon, a lady-in-waiting to the empress Teishi in mid Heian time (c. 1000CE)
She described the empress and other women she had observed
The ladies in waiting, companions to the empress, who spend time writing, playing music and chatting

3. Farming women planting rice, singing and wearing hats like serving trays
Fishing girls diving for shellfish, Sei criticises the men who don’t dive
A shaman chanting and praying for a child’s health
An old Buddhist nun begging while dressed in grimy clothes who sings a rude song
Serving ladies who pour water, act as hairdressers, food preparers and nurses for the royal family

4. Ideas of beauty A plump figure Heavy white makeup Small red lips
Very long hair
Blackened teeth
Iron-based liquid
Actually kept teeth healthy
Drawn on eyebrows
Chinese brocade jacket
Colorful silk gowns and skirted trousers

5. Family Life Average Lifespan
Women 27 years
Men 32 years
Diseases like Tuberculosis and beri-beri were common
Death in childbirth was also a risk
Children often died young due to poor diet, disease and unsanitary living comndition

6. Marriages were usually arranged and husbands often had more than one wife.
At one time husbands moved in with their wives families, this later reversed
Most people, male and female, were illiterate
Among rich families beautiful writing was a mark of high status
Those who could spent many hours practising handwriting