It was hard to categorise this book but eventually decided to place it is in Biographies and Memoirs. Sei Shonagon is a lady in waiting at the court a Heian Empress and was written nearly 1000 yrs ago. She writes everything in her pillow book (a book that is kept in the hard wood box type pillows that were used in Japan, he likes/dislikes, liaisons with her lover and the everyday goings in the court. A fascinating read, which really brings the goings on in a Japanese court to life.

RELEASE NOTES:

I am taking this one out of Soffitta1's Asia bookbox. I love reading books about how people live in other countries or how they used to live in the past, so this one really caught my eye!

Thanks Janey-Liz for adding this one to the box!

I finally got round to reading this book and it has definitely not disappointed me. Beautifully written (how amazing that it was written such a long time ago!).
I am really interested in Japan, so it was great reading this book.

I will put the book into Soffitta1's Asia bookbox.

Added to soffitta1's Asian bookbox. Enjoy!

Arrived in Asia bookbox. Glad this came back around, I had noticed it in a previous round.

I have been dipping into this over the month, this is a series of anecdotes, musings and diary entries written in the 10th Century at court in Japan. I found it fascinating, though you can only read small chunks at a time because it is useful to read the extensive end-notes. Everything is here, from petty jealousies to the perfect man, poetic exchanges to seasonal customs and masses on the clothing and how you should dress. This is a real gem, not only a glimpse into a world long gone, but also into the thoughts and musings of a woman of the time.


More thoughts to come.

Left in the Avila Centre of English.

Ferry