Point Books In Pursuance Of The Pillow Book
| Original Title: | 枕草子 [Makura no sōshi] |
| ISBN: | 0231073372 (ISBN13: 9780231073370) |
| Edition Language: | English |
Sei Shōnagon
Paperback | Pages: 419 pages Rating: 4.01 | 5747 Users | 547 Reviews
Rendition As Books The Pillow Book
"The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon" is a fascinating, detailed account of Japanese court life in the eleventh century. Written by a lady of the court at the height of Heian culture, this book enthralls with its lively gossip, witty observations, and subtle impressions. Lady Shonagon was an erstwhile rival of Lady Murasaki, whose novel, "The Tale of Genji," fictionalized the elite world Lady Shonagon so eloquently relates. Featuring reflections on royal and religious ceremonies, nature, conversation, poetry, and many other subjects, "The Pillow Book" is an intimate look at the experiences and outlook of the Heian upper class, further enriched by Ivan Morris's extensive notes and critical contextualization.
Identify Of Books The Pillow Book
| Title | : | The Pillow Book |
| Author | : | Sei Shōnagon |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | First Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 419 pages |
| Published | : | December 30th 1991 by Columbia University Press (first published 1002) |
| Categories | : | Cultural. Japan. Classics. Nonfiction. History. Asian Literature. Japanese Literature |
Rating Of Books The Pillow Book
Ratings: 4.01 From 5747 Users | 547 ReviewsAssess Of Books The Pillow Book
I didn't expect to like this. But Sei Shonagon was blogging centuries before blogs existed. Her writings in her pillow book vary from lists of unpleasant things to descriptions of fashions to funny stories from the Japanese court life. The tone is a mixture of self-righteousness and wonder, which is why I kept thinking of Harriet the Spy. I learned a lot about Japanese culture at the time, almost by accident. And the Morris translation is heavily footnoted."There's really something sad about aSee the full review at http://www.karlajstrand.com/2018/10/02/the-pillow-book-of-sei-shonagon-a-classics-club-review/The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon is a fascinating look at Japanese court culture during the 11th century Heian period (794 to 1186).While others may be more familiar with Murasaki Shikibus The Tale of Genji as an example of classic Japanese literature of the time, I chose The Pillow Book instead I always lean towards bucking the trend and I was intrigued by what I had read of Sei
I haven't finished this book yet, but have read a lot of it. I skip over some of the daily accounts in favor of the lists / observations / character sketches. I need to go back and fill in the blanks, but it might be awhile before I get to it. For now:A "pillow book" is a collection of random notes, character sketches, lists, poems, and observations that the Japanese upper class during the Heian period might have kept in the drawers of their wooden pillows. Having an example of the pillow book
This 10th century Japan private diary of a lady-in-the-court is one of the most extraordinary pieces of non-fiction Ive ever read - through sweeping, exhaustive lists, Shōnagon, a gossip and a prankster, reveals both the universality of human life and the paticularities of her cloistered life in Japanese court.A few of my favorite excerpts: Hateful Things- One is in a hurry to leave, but one's visitor keeps chattering away. If it is someone of no importance, one can get rid of him by saying,
"He spoke to me of Sei Shōnagon, a lady in waiting to Princess Sadako at the beginning of the 11th century, in the Heian period. Do we ever know where history is really made? Rulers ruled and used complicated strategies to fight one another. Real power was in the hands of a family of hereditary regents; the emperor's court had become nothing more than a place of intrigues and intellectual games. But by learning to draw a sort of melancholy comfort from the contemplation of the tiniest things
Less interesting than its closest contemporary, The Tale of Genji, this is another interesting book about the intimate life of the Japanese imperial court during the Heian period (as Genji is as well). It is full of interesting anecdotes and pillow talk (thus the title), but in a less poetic style as Genji which for me remains the reference and the milestone.
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