Beauty Quote by Saikaku Ihara
““When he appeared before the lord, his lordship was smitten immediately with the boy's unadorned beauty, like a first glimpse of the moon rising above a distant mountain. The boy's hair gleamed like the feathers of a raven perched silently on a tree, and his eyes were lovely as lotus flowers. One by one his other qualities became apparent, from his nightingale voice to his gentle disposition, as obedient and true as a plum blossom.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Life of an Amorous Man, 1686
A lord is instantly captivated by a boy’s simple, natural beauty and virtues, likened to moon, lotus, and raven imagery.
In simple terms: Lord falls for boy’s pure, unadorned charm.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate authentic beauty.
Themes
beauty
nature
innocence
appreciation
Mood
admiring
contemplative
Type
Beauty:1
Boy:1
Delicate:1
Japan:1
Lotus:1
Love:1
Moon:1
Night:1
Pure:1
Queer:0
Raven:1
Raven Perched:1
Qualities Apparent:1
Appeared Lord:1
Lordship Smitten:1
Unadorned Beauty:1
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- romantic literature
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
aesthetic
character study
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “unadorned beauty” mean to you?
- How do cultural contexts affect perception?
A Different Perspective
Modern readers may view the dynamic as problematic.
