The Pillow Book 1997

In “The Pillow Book”, the cinematic narrative is woven from the threads of an ancient Japanese diary, penned by Sei Shnagon, whose true identity remains a mystery. The protagonist’s journey begins with Nagiko (Vivian Wu), a Japanese model born in Hong Kong, who narrates her tale as a quest to find a lover who can harmoniously blend her passion for sensual pleasure with her appreciation for poetry and the art of calligraphy. This fixation stems from her childhood in Kyoto, where her father (Ken Ogata) would adorn her face with characters of good fortune, while celebrating her birthday by recounting the Japanese creation myth and inscribing elegant calligraphy on her skin. Nagiko’s aunt (Hideko Yoshida) reads aloud a list of “beautiful things” from Sei Shnagon’s book of observations, prophesying that when Nagiko turns 28, the official book will be 1000 years old, mirroring the age of its author at the time of writing. As Nagiko grows older, she learns that her father is beholden to his publisher, “Yaji-san” (Yoshi Oida), who exacts a high price for his patronage in the form of sexual favors.

As the story unfolds, Nagiko’s wedding to her father’s young apprentice is arranged by the publisher. Her husband (Ken Mitsuishi), an accomplished archer, takes umbrage with Nagiko’s love of literature and her desire to read, even as he toils under his apprenticeship. He also rejects her pleas for pleasure, refusing to inscribe characters on her body. The discovery and subsequent destruction of Nagiko’s pillow book by her husband sets fire to their marital home, marking the “first major conflagration” in her life. Incensed and wounded, Nagiko departs from her husband forever.

Seeking refuge from her tumultuous marriage, Nagiko relocates to Hong Kong. Despite her initial aversion to typing, she learns this new skill to secure employment. Outside her apartment, a group of activists regularly stage protests against the publishing industry, decrying the devastation wrought upon forests in pursuit of paper production.

As Nagiko’s status as a fashion model continues to soar, she indulges in a novel pursuit - exploring her carnal desires by hiring a maid to facilitate her intimate encounters with various partners. However, despite the fleeting thrills, she finds herself growing increasingly disenchanted with each affair, either due to the mismatch between their artistic prowess and amorous skills or vice versa.

One fateful day, Nagiko stumbles upon Jerome (Ewan McGregor), a British translator, at her favorite haunt, Cafe Typo. Their conversation sparks her interest in his linguistic expertise, leading them to a private space where she requests him to inscribe various languages on her body. Although initially unimpressed by the quality of his handwriting, Nagiko is taken aback when Jerome proposes that she write on his own body instead, inviting her to “utilize my body as the pages of your book.” The prospect sends shivers down her spine, and she is compelled to reconsider the dynamics of her desires.

Intrigued by Jerome’s suggestion, Nagiko embarks on a series of one-night stands, experimenting with writing on their bodies. Meanwhile, Hoki (Yutaka Honda), a Japanese photographer and ardent admirer, implores Nagiko to take him as a lover. However, when she explains that his skin is unsuitable for her artistic expressions due to its tendency to smudge the ink, he offers an alternative solution: suggesting she focus on writing a book instead.

Nagiko takes Hoki’s advice to heart and begins crafting her first literary work. The manuscript is subsequently returned, bearing the scathing critique that it is “not worth the paper it’s written on.” Stung by the rejection, Nagiko tracks down the publisher at the address provided on the envelope, only to discover that it is none other than Yaji-san, the same esteemed publisher who had a close relationship with her father. Furthermore, she learns that this enigmatic figure has a young lover - Jerome, the very man who had initially sparked her literary ambitions.

As the plan takes shape, Nagiko and Jerome’s intimate connection blossoms into a harmonious symphony of love, language, and art. Weeks spent exploring each other’s bodies become a canvas for their creative passion, with Nagiko’s words flowing effortlessly onto Jerome’s skin like ink on silk. In this exquisite dance, Nagiko discovers her perfect lover - a partner who can indulge both her bodily and poetic desires.

Inspired by their symbiotic connection, Nagiko confides in Jerome about the publisher and shares her entire story. Enthralled by her vision, Jerome proposes a bold plan: Nagiko will write her book on his body, and he’ll present it to the publisher anonymously. Nagiko is captivated by this daring scheme, and with meticulous care, she pens Book 1: The Agenda of Desire in intricate characters of black, red, and gold on Jerome’s nude form.

The ruse proves a resounding success, as the publisher becomes enamored with the provocative artwork and orders his scribes to transcribe the text. Elated by their triumph, Jerome promises to return to Nagiko once he’s freed from the publisher’s clutches. However, as time passes, Jerome appears to lose track of reality, failing to reappear at Nagiko’s doorstep.

Nagiko’s patience wears thin, replaced by jealousy, frustration, and anger. A swift search yields a shocking discovery: Jerome has become embroiled in an intimate tryst with the very publisher he once served. This betrayal stings like a thousand needles, prompting Nagiko to concoct a plan of retribution.

With calculated precision, Nagiko unleashes her poetic fury upon two unsuspecting Swedish tourists, inscribing Book 2: The Innocent and Book 3: The Idiot on their bodies. Next, an elderly gentleman (Wu Wei) is seen fleeing the publisher’s shop, his body bearing the enigmatic text of Book 4: Impotence/Old Age. Meanwhile, a boisterous American (Tom Kane) proudly carries Book 5: The Exhibitionist to Nagiko’s doorstep.

As Jerome’s desperation reaches a fever pitch, he arrives at Nagiko’s home, pleading for an audience. However, she remains resolute, refusing to grant him entry or even a whispered conversation. Jerome’s outrage gradually gives way to despair as he begs her to relent, but Nagiko’s resolve remains unshaken, leaving their tumultuous relationship hanging precariously in the balance.

Here is a rephrased version of the section:

As Jerome (proudly) succumbs to the depths of despair, he meets with Hoki at the Cafe Typo, seeking a desperate escape from his woes. Hoki offers a morbid solution: faking his own demise, à la Romeo and Juliet, by “scaring” Nagiko into forgiveness. He furnishes Jerome with pills, cautioning him to tread carefully. With calculated precision, Jerome arrives at Nagiko’s residence while she is away, and begins his ruse. As the pills take hold, he writes page after page, meticulously recording each dose on the corresponding sheet. His condition worsening, Jerome lies motionless on her bed, clutching a worn copy of Sei Shonagon’s “The Pillow Book”. The plan succeeds in its intended purpose: when Nagiko returns home to find Jerome seemingly lifeless, she rushes to his side, eager to revive their relationship and rekindle their plans. However, the scheme goes awry; Jerome has unwittingly overdosed on the pills, leaving behind a lifeless body. Nagiko is shattered by the loss, realizing too late the depth of her love for him.

At Jerome’s funeral, his mother (Barbara Lott), an aristocratic matron with refined sensibilities, shares a telling insight: Jerome had always been enamored of things “fashionable”. When she ventures to suggest that this affinity might have been the reason behind his love for Nagiko, Nagiko strikes back, her ire palpable. In the aftermath of the funeral, the publisher covertly exhumes Jerome’s remains from their final resting place and has the deceased writer’s skin, still bearing the testament of his literary endeavors, flayed and transformed into a gruesome pillow book, a macabre token of his creative output.

Nagiko, now back in Japan, is informed of the publisher’s desecration and reacts with outrage. She sends a veiled letter to the publisher, demanding that this abomination be returned to her, willing to relinquish the remaining books only if she regains possession of this morbid relic. The publisher, enthralled by the enigmatic author behind the work, agrees to her terms.

With Jerome’s skin serving as the canvas for the remainder of his literary opus, Nagiko sets about crafting books 7 through 13…

As Nagiko’s pregnancy with Jerome’s child draws near, she pours her thoughts and emotions onto the canvas of a male messenger, inscribing Book 7: The Book of The Seducer upon his skin. However, the delicate work is almost destroyed by the publisher’s careless act of leaving the messenger to face the unforgiving rain, rendering the text barely decipherable. In a striking departure from the norm, Book 8: The Book of Youth arrives in the form of photographs, telling a story through visual means alone.

The arrival of a young Buddhist monk bearing Book 9: The Book of Secrets written on his body is nothing short of enigmatic. The tome presents itself as a series of riddles, hidden away in the most unexpected places - between his fingers and toes, within the crevices of his thighs, and other secret recesses. As if to further confound the publisher, the next messenger arrives stark naked, devoid of any written words.

The staff searches frantically for even the slightest hint of text on the man’s bare body, only to be met with disappointment as he is dismissed as a hoax. However, just as all hope seems lost, the messenger parts his lips, revealing Book 10: The Book of Silence inscribed upon his tongue. This unexpected turn of events serves as a poignant reminder that even in silence, powerful messages can be conveyed.

As the protesters’ chants and banners fade away, a young wrestler bearing Book 11: The Book of The Betrayed is struck by a truck right outside the publisher’s office, bringing an abrupt end to their activism. In the midst of chaos, a new messenger appears, this time bearing Book 12: The Book of False Starts, which he hastily deposits on the ground before speeding away.

The arrival of Book 13: The Book of the Dead is met with somber reverence as it materializes on the body of a Sumo wrestler. The publisher’s eyes widen in horror as he reads the words inscribed upon the messenger’s skin, finally confronted by the gravity of his actions: the blackmailing and humiliation of Nagiko’s father, the corruption of Jerome, and the desecration of Jerome’s corpse.

Consumed by shame and humility, the publisher hands the pillow book made from Jerome’s skin to the messenger before ordering him to slit his own throat. As the weight of guilt settles upon him, the once-powerful man is reduced to a mere shell of his former self.

In the aftermath of this confrontation, Nagiko recovers the sacred tome and buries it beneath a Bonsai tree, symbolizing her release from the burdens of the past. Her journey takes on a new significance as she gives birth to Jerome’s child (Hikari Abe), and in the epilogue, she is seen writing upon her child’s face, echoing the actions of her father when she was young, while quoting from her own pillow book. As she blows out the candles on her 28th birthday cake, Nagiko has finally found closure, her story coming full circle as she passes on the legacy of her art to the next generation.