Legacy Chest My name is Murakachi Shukitu. I lived in the Heian Kyo period which dominated from 794-1185 (McCullough, 1990). I live amongst poets and scholars, at what is considered the second level of court aristocracy. In my society, a woman has a duty to be married. My husband has several wives. I have selected six items which I hope best demonstrate the role of women in this society, as well as those that express my desire for a better life for my female heirs.

As a poet I have a great love of learning, yet as is common among women living during my time I never pursued a formal education. Rather I live a life much like that of a recluse, spending many hours hidden behind a screen so that I might remain faithful and pious. For the Legacy Chest, I would like to leave the following six items for future societies to remember my culture by: a bottle of perfume, an embroidered gown, a calligraphy pen, a flute, sea-weed shampoo and a small engraved Buddha.

The gown I have left is a close fitting dress, embroidered with lotus flowers, overlaid with bright purples and scarlet red tones, mixed with brilliant blue. Silk is woven in the garment, the hem is embroidered elegantly. Traditionally during my time such decadent colors were reserved only for the costumes and gowns of the aristocracy, primarily the empress. It is my hope that women in future generations will have permission to wear all of the amazing colors available in the spectrum. Silk material is representative of high class and rank as well. Costume is an important means of expressing individuality, rank and class in society. It is not uncommon for women who rank high in society to have a dozen...

Women are expected to maintain an image that is beautiful.
A calligraphy pen is an essential tool for a poet of my time, and as a woman poet I must be ready at any point to compose a love poem or sonnet to my husband or lover. I also have used the pen many times to express my sorrow at living such a sequestered life. Women are not encouraged to roam freely about, but rather are kept hidden from society, only allowed to be viewed upon by their husbands and family. Husbands visit infrequently. I am not encouraged to speak out openly and express myself, and thus rely upon the written word to express my hopes, dreams, desires and sorrows.

I wish upon my future female heir the freedom and ability to express themselves freely. Poetry is in fact one of the most favorite past times of many women. Poetry helps express identity, passion age and status in society. The written word is perhaps the only means a woman has to establish their identity in a society where women live a life in seclusion. Women often compose diaries, narratives and memoirs using the written word. The written word is also often transposed into musical verse.

A woman's hair must traditionally be long and kept clean. It is tradition during my time that the longer your hair, the more attractive you appear. In contrast to a woman's fair skin and elegant clothes, long, black and silky hair is considered a great prize. Hair combs also are often used to adorn a woman's luxurious main, and help promote the ideal kempt woman. Thus, I leave sea-weed shampoo, which…