Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon: The Diary of a Courtesan in Tenth Century Japan [Hardcover]

Japan in the 10th century stood physically and culturally isolated from the rest of the world. Inside this bubble, a subtle and beautiful world was in operation, and its inhabitants were tied to the moment, having no interest in the future and disdain for the past.

The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagonwas a product of a tenth-century courtier's experiences in the palace of Empress Teishi. A common custom of the time period, courtiers used to keep notes or a diary in a wooden pillow with a drawer. This pillow book reflects the confident aesthetic judgments of Shonagon and her ability to create prose that crossed into the realm of the poetic.The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagonis one of the earliest examples of diary literature whose passages chronicle the events of the court calendar, the ceremonies and celebrations specific to Teishi's court, and the vignettes that provide brilliantly drawn glimpses into the manners and foibles of the aristocracy.

A contemporary of Murasaki Shikibu, the author ofThe Tale of Genji, this small diary brings an added dimension to Murasaki's timeless and seminal work.

Arthur Waley's elegant translation ofThe Pillow Book of Sei Shonagoncaptures the beauty of its prose and the vitality of Shonagon's narrative voice, as well as her quirky personality traits. In a place and time where poetry was as important as knowledge and beauty was highly revered, Sei Shonagon's private writings give the reader a charming and intimate glimpse into a time of isolated innocence and pale beauty. His [Waley] is the most appealing version for the general reader. —Michael Dirda, Pulitzer-prize winning columnist In a small diary, a young courtesan of the Heian period gives her account of the Japanese courts of the day, providing perspective on a unique time in Japanese history. A contemporary of Murasaki Shikibu, the author ofThe Tale of Genji, Sei Shonagon's commentary brings an added dimension to thl*