Question

In what ways does court life, as Sei Shonagon describes it, reflect Buddhist and Confucian influences, and in what ways does it depart from, and even challenge those traditions?

Answer 1

According to Sei Shonagon -a Japanese author in ancient Japan- Chinese influence was reflected in the life of the Court.

Aproximatelly in the eighth century, Japan built a city in the central part of the territory called Heian-kyo, which means "peacefulness.", what today is known by Kyoto.

During the period of Heian(794-1185), Japan lived periods of stability and the aristocracy of the Imperial Court dedicated part of their lives to spread culture, art, poetry, and social organization that somewhat was influenced by China Buddhism, and Confucianism.

And as times went by, this segment started to move away from those influences to develop their own poetry and arts, as Japanese aristocracy considered that art was one of the most important human accomplishments.