{"product_id":"pillow-book-of-sei-shonagon-the-diary-of-a-courtesan-in-tenth-century-japan-1","title":"Pillow Book of SEI Shonagon: The Diary of a Courtesan in Tenth Century Japan","description":"\u003cb\u003eTake a firsthand journey into a time, society and world full of intrigue.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In the tenth century, Japan stood physically and culturally isolated from the rest of the world. Sei Shonagon--a young courtesan of the Heian period--kept a diary, which provides a highly personal account of the intrigues, dalliances, quirks, and habits of Japan's late tenth-century elite. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eShe was a contemporary and acquaintance of the well-known courtesan Murasaki Shikibu, author of the Japanese masterpiece \u003ci\u003eThe Tale of Genji\u003c\/i\u003e. A perfect companion to that work, \u003ci\u003eThe Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon\u003c\/i\u003e brings an added dimension to Murasaki's timeless and seminal novel and further illuminates Japanese court life in all its ritualistic glory. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThrough his elegant and readable abridged translation, Arthur Waley perfectly conveys Sei Shonagon's girlish temperament and quirky personality. In a place and time where poetry was as important as knowledge and beauty was highly revered, Sei Shonagon's private writings offer a charming, intimate glimpse into a world of innocence and pale beauty. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA new introduction by respected Japanese literary scholar Dennis Washburn provides historical insight into Japanese culture, Sei Shonagon's world, and Waley's translation.","brand":"Dennis Washburn, Arthur Waley","offers":[{"title":"Paperback Abridged","offer_id":47277530382572,"sku":"9784805314623","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/1791\/3068\/files\/9784805314623.jpg?v=1770237278","url":"https:\/\/intl.allstora.com\/products\/pillow-book-of-sei-shonagon-the-diary-of-a-courtesan-in-tenth-century-japan-1","provider":"Allstora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}