Product Description

'The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon', an informal diary of the reminiscences of a lady-in-waiting at the court of a Heian Empress.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #320100 in Books
• Published on: 1971-07-29
• Original language: Japanese
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Customer Reviews

Probably my favourite book
This is a woman writing over a thousand years ago, but it doesn't seem like it. Through her annecdotes of court life, we gradually get a picture of a very different life style to our own. What really drew me to the book was that Sei Shonagon writes in such a way that you feel as if you know her. She is petty, rude and snobbish but in such a human way, the way that everyone is. Her humanity and outspokeness make what could be a very dull historial document become a joy to read. It is a pillow book, that is, almost a notepad. Sei Shonagon used it to jot down any thoughts which came into her head, whether they be about the latest fashions, her lover or the beauty of the spring flowers. There are many lists of her likes and dislikes - hateful things including snoring and mosquitos. This is a book which is at times, beautiful, surprising and very funny. You will find that it is not so much a historial document as a revealing picture of a very interesting if sometimes silly woman.

An interesting book
This is a very interesting book, allowing readers to gain an insight into a long forgotten time in history. Shonagon fills her book with details about life in the Japanese court. The characters are all interesting and timeless. From reading this book you are certainly transported to another world entirely, where different things are regarded as important within the society, such as poetry for expressing emotions, especially between lovers or potential lovers.
Ivan Morris also adds to this book, by providing very detailed and informative notes to accompany the text.
I enjoyed this book very much, however, if there is one problem I have with it, it is that Shonagon often appears very opinionated which at times I found quite irritating. However, the book is supposed to have been produced originally as a private piece, so perhaps I shouldn't fault her for that!
That said, I do rate this book highly. After all, it certainly takes you to another place and another time.

A great way to be absorbed in early Japanese culture!
After reading The Pillow Book for a school assignment, I realized that I'd thoroughly enjoyed it. At first I thought, "What a pain in the butt! I have to read this boring thing." But as I got deeper and deeper into the book it enthralled me more and more. You can experience early Japanese culture at its best. I would reccommend this book to anyone who wants a taste of Japanese culture. I found it a little hard to read, but then I am only a ninth grader. This is a wonderful reading experience, and I admire Ivan Morris' excellence with translation of the Japanese language.