“Hateful Things”

It is unlikely you will find a legitimate, free PDF of a specific essay titled exactly by Sei Shōnagon as a standalone document, because “Hateful Things” ( Nikuki Mono ) is actually a single, famous section (or dan ) within her much larger work, The Pillow Book ( Makura no Sōshi ) .

In this section, Shōnagon lists various social slights, minor annoyances, and personal grievances that she found intolerable. Her "hates" range from breach of etiquette to general human foibles.

Ethical Access Methods:

The influence of Sei Shonagon’s list is everywhere, though often uncredited. The entire genre of “listicles” (e.g., BuzzFeed’s “21 Things That Instantly Ruin Your Day”) is a direct descendant. But beyond the internet, serious writers have paid homage: