Summary

In brief scene 26, Dr. Hearn reads a sexually descriptive portion of the pillow book while a shunga erotic woodblock print appears behind her. In the equally brief scene 27, Owen reads a footnote from his analysis of the pillow book, describing a common theme found in works of that era, which is particularly prevalent in this pillow book: awareness of imminent loss. He explains a paradox by which these authors were most able to appreciate only a thing, person, or event when confronted with its impermanence.

Lying in bed after a liaison in scene 28, Darius and Dr. Hearn again discuss the pillow book and why it is so singular and important. Dr. Hearn tells Darius what they've learned about the lady who wrote the pillow book. Though they can't figure out her name or exactly who she is, the text gives them all sorts of...