Emotional Abuse

The author of the diary, known simply as Michitsuna's mother, is married to a man, Fujiwara, who flagrantly disregards her. Although his adulterous behavior is an acceptable part of the society of tenth century Japan, Fujiwara treats her with contempt and seems to relish hurting her. In the society in which they live, it apparently is common for husband and wife to have separate residences even though they ostensibly enjoy a happy union. The times in the diary in which the woman describes her agony waiting for her husband to come, after he promises to visit and then does not appear, are too numerous to mention.

Although she is the victim of emotional abuse and downright cruelty, Fujiwara places the blame for his absences squarely on the woman's shoulders—intimating that her sullen look and attitude are what keep him away when in actuality it is...