In "Barrelmaker Brimful of Love" the author Ihara Saikaku uses exaggeration to tell his stories. The most interesting part of the story is when Osen prepares a pilgrimage to the city of Ise (595 Saikaku). Which is supposed to be a secret, yet romantic getaway (where they have sex and "fall in love" ) (595 Saikau). This is talked about in such a casual and common way, as if this is quite routine. This is shocking because this seems out of character for the time period. The fact that Osen was going to travel alone (at least until she & the Cooper meet up) is not really heard of in this time period. As the story progresses the couple does end up together, but as the plot unfolds you can see just how much the view of men & women are unbalanced. The story shows men as sleeping around on their wives as if it's what they to when bored and in need of some entertainment. As is the cause for Osen's Mistress: "the master of the house was probably wasting himself and his money on Miss Nokaze of Shimabara...." (596 Saikaku). While this is an accepted practice for men, the opposite is allowed for women. A prime example is what Saikaku says in the story, about what happens to women when they are caught being unfaithful: " when...discovered, either their husbands send then home without taking the matter to court... or in the case of husbands greedy for gold, some kind of deal is made and the matter dropped" (601). This shows that what's good for the gander isn't good for the goose, or at least not in their culture. However the whole point (according to Saikaku), is that women are "fickle" and are full of "folly" (600 -601 Saikaku). This makes men look better, as if they are incapable of the exact some flaws women have. This is false because men are ruled by passion and reason the same as women.